About Virginia's Grant:
Virginia is one of ten states selected by the National Governors Association to help in its effort to Redesign the American High School. To accomplish this, the participating states received grants to implement redesign initiatives in high schools. Virginia has selected thirty high schools (honor schools) throughout the state of Virginia to receive grant funds to assist them with targeting assistance to high schools to increase high school graduation rates as well as increase college readiness. |
Goals:
Virginia embarked on a extensive review of performance data to establish a blueprint for action as part of its grant proposal. After reviewing the data, Virginia proposed the implementation and expansion of activities aimed at:
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Decreasing ninth and tenth grade retention in high school |
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Increasing mathematics proficiency |
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Decreasing the number of high school dropouts |
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Increasing the number of high school graduates |
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Increasing college readiness of high school graduates by reducing the number of developmental courses taken by recent graduates |
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Increasing the number of students who immediately attend college |
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Increasing college graduation rates |
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| Virginia's Strategies: |
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Policy Reform by Design - Commitment to an aligned governance structure for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education (P-16) - See Virginia's P-16 Council
By Executive Order issued October 19, 2005 and re-issued on October 13, 2006, a P-16 Council was created to conduct two research studies (see grant proposal) and to establish a framework for the collaboration of multiple educational agencies to create a seamless education for students from preschool through postsecondary education. The two studies completed under this grant were College Readiness Report—How Virginia's Community Colleges are Addressing the Academic Weaknesses of Recent High School Graduates and Bringing High School Successful Practices to Scale in Virginia—A Comprehensive Study of 10 Successful High Schools in the Commonwealth. Virginia has also renewed its commitment to actively participate in the National Education Data Partnership initiative providing data for Standard & Poors’ (S&P) SchoolMatters.com.
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Colleagues for Success: Building High School Leadership
In collaboration with the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, DOE will provide highly specialized training and mentoring to each of the thirty honor schools’ principals. Teachers will also be given the opportunity to access additional training in advanced placement course instruction, and content specific instructional delivery. Additionally, teachers will have the opportunity to complete postsecondary coursework to add endorsements to their teaching license in the area of mathematics and science.
VASSP Summary Report on Mentoring and Coaching Program for Honor School Principals
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Commonwealth of Access: Transition, Readiness, and Access
Honor schools will have the opportunity to earn special Project Graduation Honor Schools grants, expand their Algebra Readiness programs, develop and implement transition plans aimed at reducing the number of ninth and tenth grade students retained in grade, to access funds to pay for PSSS and PSAT testing, as well as increase the number of students completing the state’s Early College Scholars requirements and the Path to Industry Certification requirements. Honor schools will also have the opportunity to participate in an expansive college awareness project coordinated by Virginia Community College System and the State Council of Higher Education.
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| Details of these strategies and other components of the proposal are available in Virginia’s Proposal to the National Governors Association (Word document) |
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| The Honor Schools Page |
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| News |
WSET - Area School Part of Performance Study
Times Dispatch - 'Honor Schools' chalk up successes -
In 30 schools, Va. used grant money to start inventive pilot projects
Board of Education report to the General Assembly on adoption of the NGA graduation rate (pdf)
Report to the Governor and General Assembly, Virginia’s P-16 Education Council (pdf)
ECMC Foundation and the Virginia Department of Education sponsor “Realizing the College Dream” curriculum guide trainings for high school counselors (pdf)
See Video - Governor Kaine Visits Freshman Transition Program at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk (video feature courtesy Norfolk Public Schools)
NGA Honor States Newsletter - Aug. 2006. Information about progress of the Honor States Grant Program, a $23.6 million, governor-led effort to improve college and work ready graduation rates. (pdf)
Times Dispatch - Highland Springs High among schools offering students tips on adjusting to environment.
August, 2006
Governor Tim Kaine visited Woodbridge High School. The school is conducting a pilot program aimed at easing students' transition from middle to high school.
See Video - Governor Kaine Visits Freshman Transition Program at Woodbridge High School in Prince William County.
Potomac News - Program Helps High School Transition
Potomac News - Kaine visits Woodbridge High School
Examiner.com - Woodbridge High School program could become national model
Washington Post - County Program Gets Kaine's Attention
Prince William County Public Schools News - Face-to-Face with the Governor
Virginia One of 10 States to Receive High School Reform Grant - JULY 14, 2005
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| About the NGA Grant |
The National Governors Association (NGA)
 NGA Center for Best Practices
"Capitalizing on the national momentum to dramatically increase high school graduation rates for all students in the United States, the National Governors Association selected 10 states for the first phase of its Honor States Grant Program."
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| Virginia's Grant Proposal |
Virginia’s Proposal to the National Governors Association - This document contains the proposal submitted to the National Governors Association as part of its grant proposal. [12-page Word document]
Virginia’s Baseline Data and Blueprint for an Action Agenda - This document contains the data gathered and reviewed for Virginia’s grant proposal. The blueprint is a review of Virginia’s accomplishments and what needs to be addressed next. Areas of concern were used as a basis for the proposals in the grant. [74-page Word document] |
| Grant Management & Contacts |
Project Manager Tabitha Grossman, (804) 786-1993, High School Initiatives Specialist, Virginia Department of Education, Division of Instruction
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Grant Partners - The thirty honor schools will work toward the implementation and coordination of the activities detailed in the grant with financial and technical assistance from the professional staff at the:
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