COMMONWEALTH
OF VIRGINIA
DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
P.O.
BOX 2120
RICHMOND,
VIRGINIA 23218-2120
SUPTS. MEMO NO. 136
August 29, 2003
INFORMATIONAL
|
TO: |
Division Superintendents |
|
FROM: |
Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction |
|
SUBJECT: |
2003-2004 Tuition Assistance Program for Early
Childhood Special Educators |
The Department of Education has
budgeted a portion of Virginia's Section 619 Preschool Grant funds to provide
tuition assistance of up to $400 per course for no more than three courses per
year for early childhood special educators. These funds are available to the
following staff members who are under contract with a school division for the
2003-2004 school year: early childhood special education teachers, teachers
seeking an early childhood special education endorsement, certain speech and
language pathologists, and early childhood special education paraprofessionals.
Eligible teachers are those enrolled
in graduate-level courses directly related to the area in early childhood
special education. Eligible speech and language pathologists are those for whom
preschoolers with disabilities make up at least 50 percent of their caseloads
and who are enrolled in graduate-level coursework directly related to the area
in which they are providing instruction or in early childhood special
education. Eligible paraprofessionals are those who are employed full-time in
an early childhood special education program and are enrolled in undergraduate
or graduate-level coursework directly related to early childhood special
education.
Courses may be taken for initial
licensure, for renewal of a teaching license, or for professional development.
Professional development may include coursework to enhance a preschool
teacher's ability to present material supporting Virginias Standards of
Learning. 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). The Division of Teacher Education and Licensure will assist with the
review of the requested coursework.
The funding period for this activity
ends August 31, 2004. If the number of applications exceeds funds available,
tuition assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis,
according to the postmark stamped on the application envelope. Priority will be
given to unendorsed preschool special education teachers.
Additionally, all special educators
approved for tuition assistance will be required to sign and return an
agreement of obligation. This agreement
requires individuals who receive tuition assistance or monetary support from
projects funded by the Virginia Special Education State Improvement Grant,
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or the Virginia General Assembly
to complete a service obligation or repay all or part of the costs of such
assistance beginning July 1, 2003. For
every $1,000 support during the duration of the program, recipients must
maintain full-time employment in special education for a period of one semester
or repay the Virginia Department of Education for the assistance they
received.
Completed applications are to 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 of a course.
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
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