ADMINISTRATIVE

  The Department of Education is pleased to provide you with the
  enclosed application packet for requesting Standards of
  Learning Training Initiative funds.  To support teachers,
  principals, superintendents, and other administrators in
  implementing the Standards of Learning (SOL) and the Standards
  for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (SOA), Governor
  Allen's proposed teacher training initiative was adopted by
  the General Assembly and signed by Governor Gilmore. The goal
  of this $25.1 million initiative is to ensure student success
  on the SOL tests.

  The funding for this program is 100 percent state funds:
  $8,321,730 (FY98-99) and $16,862,010 (FY99-00).  Each school
  division is eligible to receive $7.50 per pupil in average
  daily membership, adjusted for half-day kindergarten programs,
  the first year and $15 per pupil in average daily membership,
  adjusted for half-day kindergarten programs, the second year. 
  We have enclosed a print out of each school division's
  allocation by fiscal year. This funding shall supplement, not
  supplant, training programs currently provided with SOQ staff
  development funds.

  School divisions wishing to receive SOL Training Initiative
  funds must submit an application for peer review to the
  Department of Education that addresses the required components
  of the initiative.  To provide school divisions with
  additional planning time, the Department of Education is
  providing the enclosed application packet.


     The enclosed application packet includes
     information on the Virginia Standards of Learning
     Training Initiative in a question and answer format (We
     encourage users of the application packet to read the
     question and answer document carefully before proceeding
     to complete the application forms.),
     Core Competencies for Teachers and Core Content
     Expectations for the SOL Training Initiative, and
     application instructions and forms.

  School divisions requesting funds for 1998-1999 must submit a
  completed application to the Department of Education no later
  than July 31, 1998.  School divisions will receive
  notification of approval of program funding from the
  Department of Education by September 15, 1998.  Any unexpended
  first-year funds may be carried forward and added to the
  respective school division's approved second-year allocation. 

  School divisions preferring to conduct all of the Standards of
  Learning Training Initiative in the second year (1999-2000)
  must inform the Department of Education of their decision no
  later than July 31, 1998.  Divisions may request that their
  first-year allocation be carried forward and added to their
  second-year allocation.  School divisions electing to receive
  all funding in the second year must submit an application to
  the Department of Education no later than April 1, 1999. 
  Notification of funding will be sent to those school divisions
  no later than May 15, 1999. 

  School divisions who wish to collaborate and submit joint
  applications are encouraged to do so.  Joint applications must
  include a completed cover page and signed statement of
  assurances from each participating division.  Collaborating
  school divisions may designate one division as the fiscal
  agent or each division may receive its own allocation.

  To further assist school divisions, the Department of
  Education is developing a Technical Assistance Resource
  Document, which will be mailed to all school divisions by June
  19, 1998.  A technical assistance teleconference is also being
  planned for June (date and time TBA). 

  If you have questions about the SOL Training Initiative,
  please contact Dr. Patricia I. Wright, Director of Secondary
  Instruction, (804) 225-2880, or e-mail
  .

  PDS/piw

  Enclosures:  A hard copy of this memo and its enclosures
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.