COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 126

June 16, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Patricia I. Wright Acting Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Virginia Incentive Program for Speech-Language Pathologists (VIP-SLP)

The Department of Education has budgeted funds to increase the pool of qualified speech-language pathologists in Virginia public schools by encouraging professionals working in the private sector and recent graduates to accept positions in Virginia public schools. The Virginia Incentive Program for Speech-Language Pathologists (VIP-SLP) pays up to $1,000 per year for speech-language pathologists employed full-time in a Virginia public school division and $700 per year for those who work part-time.

This incentive program is available to speech-language pathologists who hold a masters degree and who meet the following qualifications:

• Have accepted a full-time or part-time contract with a Virginia public school division for the 2006-2007 academic year;
• Have not been employed by a Virginia school division during the past three years;
• Did not participate in a special education personnel preparation program funded by the Virginia Department of Education; and
• Meet all current licensure requirements and have applied or currently hold a five-year renewable license issued by the Virginia Department of Education.

The funding period for this activity ends Friday, June 30, 2007. If the number of applications received exceeds funds available, financial incentives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the postmark stamped on the application envelope. Once employment has been secured, the speech-language pathologists should submit completed application to the Department of Education with verification by school division personnel.

If you have questions regarding eligibility for the incentive program, please contact Dr. Patricia Burgess, specialist for special education human resources development, Division of Teacher Education, Licensure, and Professional Practice at (804) 225-2096 or e-mail: pat.burgess@doe.virginia.gov. The attached 2006-2007 Virginia Incentive Program for Speech-Language Pathologists application can be faxed to Dr. Burgess at (804) 786-6759 or mailed to:

Dr. Patricia D. Burgess

Virginia Department of Education

P. O. Box 2120

Richmond, VA 23218-2120

PIW/DC/TAE/pdb

Attachments

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf126a.pdf

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf126b.doc