INFORMATIONAL
 

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Reporting Requirements for State-Funded Remedial Programs

The General Assembly revised 22.1-199.2, Code of Virginia, to require the Board of Education to promulgate regulations which establish standards and reporting requirements for state-funded remedial programs, defined as Standards of Learning (SOL) remediation, Standards of Quality remediation, and remedial summer school. The board is developing those regulations, which are similar to the emergency regulations currently in effect and referenced in Superintendent’s Informational Memo No. 159, dated August 27, 1999. However, Chapter 1073, 2000 Acts of Assembly (the 2000-2002 Appropriation Act), suspends the requirements of those regulations until June 30, 2002, and block grants those state-funded remedial programs.

I am pleased to notify you that divisions may choose to use state payments provided for Standards of Quality remediation, SOL remediation, and summer school remediation as block grants without restrictions or reporting requirements except those that are necessary for determining funding for the programs. In addition, the Department has been advised by the Attorney General’s office that it would be inadvisable to collect the 1999 data required under the emergency regulations governing these remedial programs. This view reflects the following conditions: (1) the collection of data for these programs in 2000 and 2001 has been suspended by the Appropriation Act (effective July, 1, 2000); (2) summer remedial programs held in 1999 are reported in 2000 (thus falling under the language of the Appropriation Act); and (3) the flexibility granted by the General Assembly to carry over unused SOL remediation funds will result in the use of these funds over two fiscal years, during one of which no reporting requirements are in effect.

In light of information contained in the Superintendent’s Informational Memo No. 159, dated August 27, 1999, the current emergency regulations governing remedial programs, the Attorney General’s guidance, Section 22.1-199.2 of the revised Code of Virginia, and the requirements of the Appropriation Act, the following guidance is provided:

1. Summer school remediation programs for the 1999-2000 school year pursuant to Standard 1.C of the Standards of Quality

School divisions will not be required to report data other than that necessary for reimbursement pursuant to the Appropriation Act. However, please be aware that school divisions may be required to report data in future years if the exemption provisions contained in the Appropriation Act expire, are amended, or are not continued in future years. If this should occur, the reporting requirements contained in the Board of Education’s regulations would be in effect.

Funding provisions are included in the 2000-2001 Appropriation Act for those localities opting to offer a remedial summer program. For fiscal year 2000-01 payments will be based on the state’s share of $353 for each eligible pupil, to be paid in accordance with each locality's composite index, subject to availability of funds.

Entitlements will be paid in two installments. The first payment in August will be based on one-half of the estimated enrollment submitted on Attachment A. The final payment, scheduled for October, will be based on actual enrollments submitted on Attachment B. The total entitlement will appear on the final payment memo in October. Please return the completed Attachment A to Mrs. Leigh H. Williams, senior budget analyst, no later than July 21, 2000. Attachment B should be returned no later than September 8, 2000.
 

2. Standards of Learning remediation during the 1999-2000 school year and new programs for 2000-2001

School divisions will not be required to report data for the 1999-2000 school year as specified in the emergency regulations and indicated in Superintendent’s Informational Memo No. 159, dated August 27, 1999. Under the language in the Appropriation Act, school divisions also will not be required to report data for 2000-2001. However, please be aware that school divisions may be required to report data in future years if the exemption provisions contained in the Appropriation Act expire, are amended, or are not continued in future years. If this should occur, the reporting requirements contained in the Board of Education’s regulations would be in effect.
 
3. Standards of Quality remediation programs in 2000-2001             School divisions will not be required to report data for 2000-2001 under the language in the Appropriation Act. However, please be aware that school divisions may be required to report data in future years if the exemption provisions contained in the Appropriation Act expire, are amended, or are not continued in future years. If this should occur, the reporting requirements contained in the Board of Education’s regulations would be in effect.

JLD/KMS/pl

Attachments
 
 

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/inf126a.pdf

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2000/inf126b.pdf