COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 151

July 30, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Rewards for School Divisions under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires each state to establish an accountability system for schools, school divisions, and the state. Under NCLB, states may offer rewards for school divisions that exceed adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements for two consecutive years. The 2004-2005 school year will be the second year that school divisions in Virginia have had to meet AYP requirements in the NCLB Act, and it will be the first year school divisions will be eligible for rewards.

At its July meeting, the Board of Education adopted guidelines for rewarding school divisions in Virginia that exceed AYP requirements for two consecutive years. Department of Education personnel will begin to analyze data this fall to determine which school divisions are eligible to receive rewards.

The guidelines adopted by the Board are attached. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to contact Cheri C. Magill, Office of Accreditation, by calling (804) 225-2708 or by e-mail: cmagill@mail.vak12ed.edu.

JLD/cm

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