COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P. O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 157
October 10, 1997

INFORMATIONAL

TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Richard T. La Pointe
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Shipment of Manipulatives from Harcourt Brace Educational Measurement 



  The Department of Education's contract with Harcourt Brace
  Educational Measurement (HBEM) includes the provision of
  manipulatives necessary to administer the Standards of
  Learning (SOL) assessment program.  The manipulatives
  include rulers, compasses, protractors and 4-function
  calculators.  These manipulatives will be shipped from HBEM
  to your school division director of testing during the first
  week in December.  We are shipping these materials early to
  allow your staff ample time to distribute them to your
  schools before testing commences.  

  While the Department is requesting funding for a replacement
  schedule for these materials, this shipment should be
  treated as a one-time shipment until such time as funding
  for replacements becomes available.  Quantities for shipment
  have been estimated using your last year's fall membership.

  Should you have any questions regarding these materials,
  please feel free to call any member of the staff of the
  Division of Assessment and Reporting at (804) 225-2102.

  RTL/jc