COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

 

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 183

November 7, 2003

 

 

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

Application for Family Literacy Technology Funds

 

 

The Virginia Department of Education will make $45,000 available for competitive grants to purchase technology that supports existing family literacy programs in Even Start, adult education, or community-based family literacy programs. These funds are provided through the Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Program grant and will be available only during the 2003-04 school year. No local match is required. All reimbursements for these funds must be received by May 30, 2004.

 

To be eligible to compete for the funding, a family literacy program must demonstrate that it provides the four components of family literacy:

 

(1)         Adult education for eligible parents

(2)         Education and/or child development for the children of the parents receiving adult education

(3)         Structured time for parents and children to work together (Parent and Child Time PACT)

(4)         Parenting education activities

 

This grant may be used to purchase hardware and/or software. The grant is not for infrastructure changes. The grant should be developed to meet one or both of the following priorities:

 

(1)         Using computers to support early literacy in childrens education

         To provide a literacy-rich environment

         To advance language and vocabulary development

         To assist phonological awareness

         To increase book knowledge and print awareness

         To enhance early writing and alphabet knowledge

 

(2)         Using technology to enhance adult literacy education

         To complement the curriculum

         To deliver instruction

 

The forms necessary to complete the application are attached. Applications must be postmarked by November 24, 2003. Grant awards are expected to be made by January 1, 2004.

 

The grant application should be returned to:

 

Dr. Yvonne Thayer, Director

Office of Adult Education and Literacy

Virginia Department of Education

P.O. Box 2120

Richmond, VA 23218-2120

 

Applications may be hand delivered to:

 

Gloria Murphy, Administrative Assistant

Office of Adult Education and Literacy

Virginia Department of Education

101 N. 14th Street

James Monroe Building 21st floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

 

For further information please contact Dr. Thayer (ythayer@mail.vak12ed.edu), director of adult education, at (804) 786-3347.

 

 

JLD/YVT/gjm

 

Attachment

 

/administrators/superintendents_memos/2003/inf183a.pdf