ADMINISTRATIVE

Enclosed you will find the competitive grant application packet for school divisions 
to apply for federal funds under the Improving America's Schools Act (P.L. 103-382),
Title X, Part C: Public Charter Schools.  

The purpose of the legislation is to support the start-up and development of local
charter schools within the Commonwealth in an effort to enhance parent and student
choice, stimulate the development of innovative programs, and promote comprehensive
educational reform within public education.

School divisions that wish to apply for funding should apply, on behalf of the 
charter school, to the Virginia Department of Education at any time prior to 
September 1, 2000. Each application will undergo a peer review and approval process.
It is anticipated that applications will be reviewed and school divisions will be 
notified of awards within 30 days of receipt of the application. Funds will be 
allocated on a yearly basis contingent on continued federal funding.  Only one 
application is required for the three-year grant period.

School divisions may request a copy of the application on diskette. The application
may also be downloaded from the Department's website:
www.pen.k12.va.us/VODE/PolicyPub/vacharter.html

To request a copy of the disk or if additional information is needed, please contact 
Dr. Yvonne Thayer in the Office of Policy and Public Affairs at (804) 786-5392.


PDS/dc/sc

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

Please note the attachments for this memo are saved on the Policy S Drive in 
the Charter Schools Directory  They are called:

                                  AppliSub
                                  Checklist
                               InstrCompletingA