INFORMATIONAL

  The Department of Education is in the beginning stages of a
  curriculum project entitled The Linkage System .  The focus
  of the project is to crosswalk all the vocational education
  competencies with the Standards of Learning.  Through the
  completion of the The Linkage System  project, our goal is
  to attain a higher academic performance for all students
  while enhancing the preparation of students for the
  workforce.  The immediate result for the vocational
  education instructors and school divisions will be a
  curriculum framework that identifies in detail the specific
  academic standards that are reinforced in vocational and
  technical education.  

  To ensure the integrity and accuracy of the process,
  academic instructors are being asked to work hand-in-hand
  with vocational instructors.  In order to accomplish this
  long-range project, the Office of Vocational and Adult
  Education Services needs a database of academic instructors
  approved to participate in The Linkage System  project.

  To build an academic teacher database, we are asking each
  school division to submit the names of three high school
  English, mathematics, and science instructors who would be
  preapproved for the department to contact for possible
  participation in the project.  It is recognized that some
  school divisions will not be able to provide a total of nine
  preapproved names because of limited staff and these
  divisions should respond according to their staff size.

  The Linkage System  project reimbursement policy is as
  follows:  tolls, mileage at the local rate or the current
  state rate of $.27 per mile, (whichever is lower), parking,
  meals, and double occupancy lodging at the state-approved rate, and
  reimbursement for a teacher substitute, when needed.  Each
  participating teacher will be paid $100 per day, if off
  contract, during the summers and/or on weekends.   It is
  anticipated that The Linkage System  project activities will
  be year round.  The development of a database will allow us
  to limit the use of teachers away from the classroom.  It
  will be our goal to limit the use of a teacher to two or
  three times per school year. 

  A response form (reproducible) for English, mathematics, and
  science instructors is enclosed.  Please forward this memo
  and its enclosures to the appropriate persons in your
  division.  The forms should be returned by September 10,
  1999 to:

               Sharron K. Glasscock
               Virginia Department of Education
               P.O. Box 2120
               Richmond, VA 23218-2120

  Thank you for your attention to this request.  If you have
  questions, please contact Dr. Neils W. Brooks, 804/225-2847,
  E-Mail - nbrooks@pen.k12.va.us or Sharron K. Glasscock,
  804/225-2826, E-Mail - sglassco@pen.k12.va.us

  PDS/sgk

  Enclosures - The Linkage System  Project Agreement
               V-TECS Linkage System  Overview 

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

  c:           Vocational Administrator