INFORMATIONAL

 Currently Public Law 103-382, Section 2206 places
  restrictions upon the use of Eisenhower monies.  They may be
  used to fund professional development activities only in the
  areas of mathematics and science.  This restriction applies
  to the use of these funds by both state agencies as well as
  local school divisions.  In order to apply our state
  resources in a manner consistent with our systemic reform,
  reflected in the 1996-2000 Consolidated Plan and to provide
  localities with increased flexibility in implementing the
  1995 Standards of Learning in the areas of science, math,
  history, English, and technology, we are requesting a waiver
  of this restriction.
  
  Each locality should have the flexibility to apply
  Eisenhower funds to the area of their greatest need, as
  indicated by measured student performance.  State-wide, for
  example, the Literacy Passport Test 6th grade pass rate for
  the last three years has been approximately 80% in reading,
  81% in writing, and 86% in mathematics.  A similar pattern
  of higher achievement in mathematics and science as opposed
  to social studies and reading/language arts is particularly
  evident by the trend in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
  results from 1993 to 1995.  Virginia students have improved
  their national scores by +3 and +2 percentiles in
  mathematics and science.  In reading/language and social
  studies, the change has been +1 and zero percentiles
  respectively.  Finally, we have seen the percentage of
  students taking Algebra I prior to 9th grade grow from 18%
  in 1991 to 29% in 1995.
                                           SUPTS. MEMO. NO.  100 
                                       May 31, 1996
  
  
  We believe these data make a compelling case to seek the
  necessary flexibility to equitably implement all of the 1995
  Standards of Learning disciplines.  The purpose of this
  memorandum is to notify you of our request for a waiver
  should you wish to express concerns to the Department of
  Education.
  
  If you have questions regarding this waiver request, please
  contact James Heywood, Director of Elementary and Middle
  School Instructional Services, at (804) 225-2865.
  
  
  
  
  
  WCBJr/atb