COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 84

April 13, 2007

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Project Graduation Combined Summer Academy Grants

As part of the states Project Graduation initiative, I am pleased to announce a remediation grant opportunity for the eight Superintendents Regional Study Groups. Grant proposals will be accepted from individual school divisions and from partnerships of school divisions within a Superintendents Regional Study Group. Please note italicized sections that indicate changes from previous Project Graduation grant opportunities.

Project Graduation Combined Summer Grants

Previously, the Virginia Department of Education funded two Project Graduation Academies each summer, Continuation Academies and Summer Academies. Continuation Academies assisted seniors who did not graduate with their class in June due to insufficient verified credits. Summer Academies provided services to rising juniors and seniors who needed to earn verified credits to meet their diploma requirements. This summer, the Summer Project Graduation Academies and the Continuation Academies have been combined into one grant, known as the Project Graduation Combined Summer Academy. Summer academies will service seniors (class of 2007) who did not graduate with their class due to insufficient verified credits, as well as rising sophomores (class of 2010), rising juniors (class of 2009), and rising seniors (class of 2008) who need to earn verified credits to complete their diploma requirements.

Special consideration should be given to students in subgroups whose graduation rate falls below that of the subgroup with the highest graduation rate. School divisions and regions should review their graduation data to justify a focus on particular subgroups.

Proposals can include remedial instruction for students in English reading and writing, mathematics, science, and history. To provide additional assistance to students with disabilities who are pursuing Modified Standard Diplomas, Combined Summer Academy proposals that include remediation for students who need to meet the literacy and numeracy requirements of that diploma will be considered as well. Please note that students who complete a Modified Standard Diploma can continue their enrollment in school, as the Modified Standard Diploma is not a terminal diploma.

Each Superintendents Regional Study Group is eligible to receive approximately $150,000 to implement a Project Graduation Combined Summer Academy Grant for the summer of 2007. The standard model is for one school division to act as the fiscal agent for each grant; however, several sites within the region may serve students. In addition, more than one grant application from a region will be accepted. Individual school divisions are eligible to apply, although each division may participate in only one grant application per region.

The final grant awards will be based upon approval of the proposal, including all required forms and signatures, and meeting the submission deadlines. Regions with very high population densities may be eligible for additional funding based on the 2006 Summer and Continuation Academies enrollments and the number of divisions participating from each region. The funds will be disbursed on a cost reimbursement basis. Additional information including grant requirements and timelines can be found in Attachment A.

The academy must focus on student instruction that is based on data derived from diagnostic instruments and previous assessment results for each student. Data from previous academies should be used to identify effective strategies and practices.

If you have questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Tabitha Foreman, high school initiatives specialist, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Tabitha.Foreman@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 786-1993.

BKCJr/TEF/yba

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2007/inf084a.doc