COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 103

April 18, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

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

As part of the state’s Project Graduation initiative, I am pleased to announce a remediation grant opportunity to assist students who need to earn verified credits to complete their diploma requirements. Grant proposals will be accepted from individual school divisions and from partnerships of school divisions within a Superintendents’ Regional Study Group.

Project Graduation Summer Grants

The Virginia Department of Education will fund Project Graduation Summer Academies to assist seniors (class of 2008) who did not graduate with their class due to insufficient verified credits, as well as rising sophomores (class of 2011), rising juniors (class of 2010), and rising seniors (class of 2009) 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, 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 Summer Academy Grant for the summer of 2008. 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. 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.

Assessment records for participating students must be properly identified as Project Graduation participants. Specific details of how to code assessment records will be provided to project coordinators and division directors of testing.

If you have questions regarding this grant opportunity, please contact Tracy Fair Robertson, English coordinator, Office of Middle and High School Instruction, by e-mail at Tracy.Robertson@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 371-7585.

BKCJr/TFR/yba

a. Summer Academy Grant Application (Word)