ADMINISTRATIVE

  The Virginia Department of Education has notified the United
  States Department of Education of the state's intent to
  submit an application for first year funding under Title III
  of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.  The deadline
  for the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund application is
  March 31, 1997.  Under the program the Department of
  Education will make grants to state education agencies. 
  Subsequently, the state education will make grants to local
  education agencies or consortia of local education agencies
  and their partners.

  Virginia is eligible to receive $2.7 million.  Local
  education agencies grant distribution must be based upon the
  needs of students in poverty.  A second requirement is that
  grant distribution be competitive.  Therefore, an
  application must be submitted by school divisions.  The
  Department of Education will however, request essential
  information only and prepare forms to reduce paperwork
  burden. 

  The projected tentative timeline indicates that a
  Superintendent's Memorandum notifying the local educational
  agency of available funding will be sent to divisions by
  September 30, 1997.  An application will be sent to the
  local division on or before October 31, 1997.  Applications
  will be due at the Department of Education on December 12,
  1997.

  The objective of the state's application is to provide
  subgrants to improve teaching and learning through
  assistance with implementation of training components of
  state and division technology plans.  The training component
  includes the purchase of quality software for core
  disciplines.

  Questions may be directed to Lan Neugent at (804) 786-2260
  or Dr. Ida J. Hill at (804) 225-2757.


  RTL/emt