December 12, 2003

Informational

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Project Graduation Promising Practices Survey

On June 3, 2003, Governor Warner announced Project Graduation, a program to help rising high school seniors meet requirements for a standard diploma in 2004. In support of that initiative, the Virginia Department of Education has introduced tools designed to help students achieve success on Standards of Learning tests. Those tools include electronic Practice Assessment Tools (ePAT), an online reading tutorial, English: Reading, English: Writing, and Algebra I Instruction Modules. An additional tool includes the case manager model used by Arlington County Schools.

The Department of Education is requesting that school divisions identify the programs, strategies, and practices being implemented to assist those seniors that are at risk of not graduating due to verified credit requirements in 2003-2004. A survey will be distributed via a superintendents e-mail the week of December 15, 2003. A worksheet will be attached to the e-mail to assist divisions when collecting the data needed to complete the survey. The e-mail will also provide the link to access the survey. Please complete the survey no later than January 9, 2004.

Please direct questions related to technical access to the survey to Sara Susbury, technology services manager, at ssusbury@pen.k12.va.us or (804) 786-5823.

Please direct questions related to the requested information to Colleen C. Bryant, history and social science specialist, at cbryant@mail.vak12ed.edu or (804) 786-4640.

JLD/CCB