A new report from the Department of Education shows that chronic absenteeism is down, and local districts are crediting the success to a variety of initiatives.

Roanoke City Public Schools students are kicking off their first week of school, and the new year is bringing new changes.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – A Roanoke County mom built a mini classroom in her basement to provide a learning environment for her three daughters who are doing virtual learning from home. However, their classroom is anything but ordinary and their teacher is none other than their mom, Billie Jean Jones-Green. Given the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Billie Jean and her husband decided to have their girls virtually learn from home. We actually go through that same process of getting dressed, we get washed up, and we get our hair done," said Billie Jean. They learn better.”Like so many other families, Billie Jean said it hasn’t been easy managing their homework and technology.