COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
BOX 2120
RICHMOND,
VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 103
August 2, 2002
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
Tuition Assistance for Special Educators |
The Department of
Education has budgeted a portion of Virginia's Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act Part B grant funds to provide tuition assistance of up to $400
per course for a maximum of three courses per year for special educators. These
funds are available to the following personnel who are under contract with a
school division for 2002-2003 school year and not participating in a special
education personnel preparation program funded by the Virginia Department of
Education: special education teachers who hold a conditional or provisional
license teaching school-age students ages 5 to 21, speech-language pathologists
who hold a provisional license, and special education paraprofessionals
assisting programs for school-age students ages 5 to 21.
Eligible teachers
and speech-language pathologists are those enrolled in graduate-level courses
directly related to the area in which they are providing instruction and
seeking licensure. The teacher or
speech-language pathologist is responsible for ensuring that any courses taken
for licensure in special education satisfy state requirements (Licensure
Regulations for School Personnel, effective July 1998). Approval of coursework
is the responsibility of the school division.
Eligible
paraprofessionals are those who are employed full-time in a special education
program and are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate-level coursework related
to the special education area in which they are providing instructional
assistance.
The funding period for this activity ends June 30,
2003. If the number of applications received exceeds funds available, tuition
assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to the
postmark stamped on the application envelope.
Completed applications should be submitted to the
Department of Education immediately after enrollment in the course and
prior to completion of the course. No applications will be considered after the
last day on which a course is offered.
If you have questions regarding eligibility for the
tuition assistance, please contact Dr. Patricia Burgess, specialist for special
education human resources development, Division of Teacher Education and
Licensure, at (mailto:pburgess@mail.vak12ed.edu) or (804) 225-2096. The
attached application form should be submitted to:
Dr. Patricia D. Burgess,
Specialist for Special Education Human Resources Development
Division of Teacher
Education and Licensure
Virginia Department of
Education
Richmond, VA 23218-2120
Fax (804) 786-6759
Please contact Dr. Burgess for information about the
application status or reimbursement.
JLD/pdb
Attachment
/administrators/superintendents_memos/2002/inf103a.pdf