COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
P.O. BOX 2120
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 189
October 6, 2000

INFORMATIONAL
 
TO: Division Superintendents
FROM: Jo Lynne DeMary
Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT: Awards for Expanded GED Testing Services

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce grants to be awarded for reimbursement of expenditures made by school divisions in the following categories: (1) establishment of satellite GED test centers in non-served school divisions, (2) expansion of test services in areas with waiting lists, and (3) expansion of statewide access in current sites. These funds are authorized under "Financial Assistance for Compulsory School Attendance" (General Educational Development Testing Provisions of the 1999 Virginia General Assembly). A description of how funds are to be allocated by category, including a list of eligible recipients, is provided. These grant funds may be used to purchase GED test batteries, pay test examiners’ wages and benefits, increase the frequency of testing sessions, or operate a satellite test center.

Establishment of satellite GED test centers in non-served school divisions                                                $55,000

Minimum awards of $500 and maximum awards of $5,000 will be made to current test centers planning to establish satellite test centers in non-served localities or to school divisions proposing to establish a new test center. Two or more school

divisions will be permitted to work together under a memorandum of agreement and request up to the maximum

amount for each school division. One school division would be named as the fiscal agent.


Expanded access in areas with waiting lists             $25,000

Minimum awards of $500 and maximum awards of $5,000 will be made to GED test centers with waiting lists. Expanded access in current test sites                   $31,000 Minimum awards of $500 and maximum awards of $5,000 will be made to any established GED test center for the purpose of increasing the number of examinees. For assistance in establishing a new GED test center, amending an existing test center contract, or to receive copies of GED rules and regulations, please contact Michelle Phillips (mailto:mdphilli@pen.k12.va.us), GED training and monitoring specialist at (804) 786-7633. Attached are copies of the forms necessary to complete your program application and a copy of "Instructions for Preparing Program Application and Request for Reimbursement for Expanded GED Testing Services."

To be considered for funding, your proposal must be received no later than 4 p.m. on November 6, 2000. The proposal should be submitted to Dr. Neils W. Brooks, director, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education Services, Virginia Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, VA 23218-2120, (street address: 101 North 14th Street, James Monroe Building 21st floor, Richmond, VA 23219).

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Bob MacGillivray (mailto:rmacgill@mail.vak12ed.edu), GED administrator at (804) 371-2333 or Becky Marable (mailto:rmarable@pen.k12.va.us), grants manager at (804) 225-2850.

JLD/RWM/lgh

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