COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 81

April 4, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Billy K. Cannaday, Jr. Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Request for Proposals (RFP) for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers Competitive Grant Program

The Virginia Department of Education is pleased to announce the availability of 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant funds to be awarded to school divisions and eligible organizations to support the implementation of community learning centers that will assist student learning and development. Funding for this program is provided through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title IV, Part B.

The Virginia Department of Education will fund projects that provide significant expanded learning opportunities for children and youth, and that will assist students in meeting or exceeding state and local standards in core academic subjects. Applicants eligible to submit a proposal for this competition are school divisions, nonprofit agencies, city or county government agencies, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations.

Priority points will be given to those applicants that jointly submit applications between at least one local education agency (LEA) and at least one public or private community organization and applicants that propose to serve students in middle or high schools.

Applicants are encouraged to consult extensively with parents, community organizations, businesses, arts and cultural organizations, and other youth development agencies and work in meaningful collaboration to develop 21^st Century Community Learning Centers.

A technical assistance workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, 2008, in Richmond, Virginia. Registration information with location is included in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Applications for 21^st Century Community Learning Centers grant funds must be postmarked by June 3, 2008, or hand delivered no later than June 3, 2008, by 4 p.m. The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers program is a competitive grant program, and the application can be downloaded at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/OCP/21stCentury.html.

Applications should be mailed to:

Mr. Duane C. Sergent, Education Specialist

Office of Program Administration and

Accountability

Virginia Department of Education

P. O. Box 2120

Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120

or

Applications may be hand delivered to:

Mr. Duane C. Sergent, Education Specialist

Office of Program Administration and

Accountability

Virginia Department of Education

James Monroe Building, 23^rd Floor

101 North 14^th Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219

If you have questions or need additional program information, please contact Mr. Sergent at (804) 371-2929, or by e-mail at duane.sergent@doe.virginia.gov.

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