COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 193

September 22, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	2006-2007 Tuition Assistance for Early Childhood Special Educators

The Department of Education has budgeted a portion of Virginia's Section 619 Preschool Grant funds, to provide tuition assistance of up to $600 per course for a maximum of three courses per year for early childhood special educators. These funds are available to the following personnel who have a full-time contract with a public school division for the 2006-2007 school year and are not participating in a special education personnel preparation program funded by the Virginia Department of Education: early childhood special education teachers who hold a valid license with an early childhood special education endorsement, licensed teachers seeking an endorsement in early childhood special education, certain speech-language pathologists, and full-time special education paraprofessionals assisting early childhood special education programs for students ages birth to five.

Eligible teachers are those individuals who are enrolled in graduate-level courses meeting competencies in the early childhood special education endorsement area. Eligible speech-language pathologists are those for whom preschoolers with disabilities make up at least 50 percent of their caseloads and who are enrolled in graduate-level coursework directly related to the area in which they are providing services or in early childhood special education. The teacher or speech-language pathologist is responsible for ensuring that any courses taken for licensure in special education satisfy state requirements (Licensure Regulations for School Personnel, effective July 1998). The Division of Teacher Education, Licensure, and Professional Practice will assist in reviewing the requested coursework.

Eligible paraprofessionals are those individuals who are employed full-time in an early childhood special education program and are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate-level coursework related to the early childhood special education area.

The funding period for this activity ends September 30, 2007. If the number of applications received exceeds funds available, tuition assistance will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to the postmark stamped on the application envelope.

Completed tuition assistance applications should be submitted to the Department of Education after enrollment and prior to completion of the course. No applications will be considered after the last day on which a course is offered.

If you have questions regarding eligibility for the tuition assistance, 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 application form should be submitted by fax or mail to:

Dr. Patricia D. Burgess

Virginia Department of Education

P. O. Box 2120

Richmond, VA 23218-2120

Fax: (804) 786-6759

BKCJr/TAE/pdb

Attachment

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2006/inf193a.pdf