COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 191

September 24, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Research Study on the Graduation Class of 2004

The purpose of this memo is to inform you that the Department of Education has engaged the services of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute (CEPI) at Virginia Commonwealth University to conduct a research study on the graduating class of 2004 as well as those who did not graduate as scheduled.

The department will be providing CEPI data that have been submitted by school divisions and you will be asked to confirm or correct that information. In addition, you will be asked to provide some new information about students who did not graduate, for example:

Did they need standard units of credit, verified units of credit, or both?

Where are the non-graduates now?

Are there options for a continuation high school or program in place for these students?

It is anticipated that a similar study will be done for the class of 2005. Please keep that in mind as you collect data this school year.

If you have any questions about the research study, please contact Maureen B. Hijar (mhijar@mail.vak12ed.edu), director of secondary instruction, at (804) 225-2894.

JLD/MBH