COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 41

February 17, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Patricia I. Wright Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Additional Option Under HOUSSE for Teachers of Students with Disabilities Who Participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP)

Teachers of students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who participate in the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP) may satisfy the requirements under the High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) to be designated highly qualified under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 by completing a multidisciplinary institute that focuses on the content addressed by teachers of such students. The institute must include no less than eight contact hours for each core content area in the Standards of Learning, resulting in a total of no less than 32 hours. Further, the institute must address each strand in the four core content areas. A chart of the strands is attached.

The Department of Education will sponsor an institute for 200 teachers on June 2529, 2006. Information, including online registration forms, may be found at www.ttaconline.org under the events tab. A copy of the information is attached.

School divisions may develop local institutes for teachers of students with significant cognitive disabilities. If you have questions or need technical assistance regarding this institute option, please contact John Eisenberg, severe disabilities/assistive technology specialist, Office of Special Education Instructional Services at John.Eisenberg@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 225-2711.

PIW/hdc

Attachments

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf041a.pdf

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf041b.pdf