COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 41

March 7, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) Program Guidelines, Revised

Beginning in 2000, school boards have had the opportunity to develop an Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program to allow the fulfillment of compulsory attendance requirements by any student who is at least 16 years of age, as authorized by Section 22.1-254, of the Code of Virginia. This program shall provide an alternative educational plan for a student between 16 and 18 years of age who is at risk of dropping out of school, is not earning the required number of credits for graduation, meets academic entrance requirements, and chooses to prepare for the General Educational Development (GED) Tests.

The Virginia Board of Education is responsible for developing guidelines associated with the ISAEP program. Revised guidelines for this program were approved by the Board of Education at its February 26, 2003, meeting. They are attached for your information. The revisions are not substantive, but they clearly and succinctly articulate the intent and components of the ISAEP program. The guidelines are effective immediately for ISAEP programs in operation. Divisions that are not operating an ISAEP program but are considering doing so in 2003-04 should review the guidelines before submitting an application later this year.

If you have questions about these guidelines, please contact Dr. Yvonne V. Thayer, (ythayer@mail.vak12ed.edu), director of adult education and literacy, at 804-225-2075.

JLD/YVT/gjm

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2003/inf041a.pdf