COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 238

December 9, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Request for Proposals (RFP) for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Competitive Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the availability of 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant funds to be awarded to eligible organizations to support the implementation of community learning centers that will assist student learning and development. Funding for this program is provided through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title IV, Part B. A previous competition was announced in Superintendent’s Memorandum, Informational, Number 121, dated June 10, 2005. The funds not awarded at the end of that competition will be awarded during this competition.

The Virginia Department of Education will fund projects that provide significant expanded learning opportunities for children and youth, and that will assist students in meeting or exceeding state and local standards in core academic subjects. Applicants eligible to submit a proposal for this competition are nonprofit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations. Priority points will be given to those applicants that apply in partnership.

Applicants are encouraged to consult extensively with parents, community organizations, businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and other youth development agencies and work in meaningful collaboration to develop 21^st Century Community Learning Centers.

The Intent to Submit form for the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers competition is due by January 6, 2006. A technical assistance workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2006, in Richmond, Virginia. A registration form with location information is included in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Applications for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant funds are due in the Office of Program Administration and Accountability no later than February 10, 2006, by 4 p.m. The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program is a competitive grant program, and the application can be downloaded at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/OCP/21stCentury.html.

Applications should be mailed to:

Mr. Duane C. Sergent, specialist,

Office of Program Administration and

Accountability

Virginia Department of Education

P. O. Box 2120

Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

or

Applications may be hand delivered to:

Mr. Duane C. Sergent, specialist,

Office of Program Administration and

Accountability

Virginia Department of Education

James Monroe Building, 23^rd Floor

101 North 14^th Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

If you have questions or need additional program information, please contact Mr. Sergent at 804-371-2929, or by e-mail at duane.sergent@doe.virginia.gov.

JLD/dcs