ADMINISTRATIVE

In early June, the Virginia Department of Education provided additional guidance 
about the implementation of the SDFSCA Principles of Effectiveness (reference: 
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPTS. MEMO NO. 40, June 4, 1999).  Briefly, the purpose of the 
earlier memo was to respond to questions received about the selection of 
research-based programs in implementing the Principles of Effectiveness.  

The purpose of this memo is to address other concerns that have been raised related 
to the use of supplementary materials that support drug and violence prevention 
programs, with consideration of the Principles of Effectiveness.  This additional 
guidance is being provided to answer some of the questions raised about the purchase
of supplemental materials with SDFSCA funds.

A copy of the "Supplemental Nonregulatory Guidance #2" received from the U.S. 
Department of Education is enclosed.  Should you have questions, please call 
Arlene Cundiff in the Office of Compensatory Programs at (804) 225-2871.

PDS/ADC/saj
Enclosure:	A hard copy of this memo and its attachment
		will be sent to the superintendent's office.
cc:	SDFSCA School Division Coordinators

	
                   Supplemental Nonregulatory Guidance #2
           Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (SDFSCA)
                        Principles of Effectiveness

Q.	If in the past, an LEA has purchased videos, film strips, and other 
        supplementary materials with Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities
        Act (SDFSCA) funds, will the LEA be able to continue to use SDFSCA funds
        to purchase these materials now that the SDFSCA Principles of Effectiveness
        have been implemented?

A.	In making a decision about purchasing videos, film strips, and other 
        supplementary materials, LEA staff should consider the entire SDFSCA 
        Principles of Effectiveness framework.  Staff should begin by examining 
        its needs assessment and measurable goals for prevention and determining 
        how (or if) the proposed use of these materials relates to the LEA's 
        identified needs and goals.  If the materials appear to meet an established 
        need and address issues content and quality of the materials.  In 
        considering whether such materials are appropriate, LEA staff may ask some 
        of the following questions: Do the proposed materials directly support other
        prevention activities being implemented?  Is the information contained in 
        the material scientifically accurate and up to date?  Do the materials 
        reflect current scientific knowledge (as generated by research and 
        evaluation) in drug and violence prevention?  Do the approaches and 
        strategies included in the materials (e.g. social skills development) 
        re-enforce those included in the curriculum or other aspects of the drug 
        and violence prevention program?  Finally, LEA staff should always consider 
        the need to purchase any supplementary materials as part of the LEA's 
        assessment of progress toward meeting the stated goals.

Q.	Must developers of supplementary materials show evidence that their 
        materials have been evaluated in order for an LEA to use SDFSCA funds for 
        the purchase of such materials?

A.	No.  However, consistent with the SDFSCA Principles of Effectiveness, LEA 
        staff should examine the use of any supplementary materials as part of the 
        LEA's comprehensive strategy for evaluating program effectiveness and 
        progress toward meeting intended program goals and objectives.  In doing so,
        LEA staff should use the evaluation results to make appropriate decisions 
        about the use of, and need for, supplementary materials in support of the 
        LEA's overall prevention programming.