INFORMATIONAL

  The 1998 Virginia General Assembly appropriated funding for
  statewide Clinical Faculty and Mentor Teacher Programs. The
  programs will assist preservice teachers and beginning teachers
  to make a successful transition into full-time teaching. 
  Funding includes $500,000 the first year and $700,000 the
  second year of the 1998-2000 biennium.

  Participation in this program is voluntary.   Funds from this
  appropriation will be made available to match a local resource
  or institutional commitment of 50 percent.  Applications for
  grant awards will be sent to school divisions and institutions
  of higher education in September.  Grant awards for the two-year
  period, 1998-2000, will be announced in the fall of 1998
  and may be used to reimburse expenses incurred since July 1,
  1998. 

  These grants are different from funds in the 1996-98 biennium
  for mentor teacher and clinical faculty programs. Therefore,
  school divisions and institutions of higher education must
  complete the new application process to be eligible for a
  grant.

  Program plans should include a description of the criteria for
  selecting clinical faculty and mentor teachers, training,
  support, compensation for clinical faculty and mentor teachers,
  and the clinical faculty and mentor teacher assignment process. 
  All programs also must include collaboration among school
  divisions and institutions of higher education, and joint
  applications will be encouraged.  A process for evaluation of
  the program will need to be addressed in the grant application. 

  Additional information regarding the grants will be forwarded
  to you in September.  If you have questions or would like
  additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr.
  Thomas A. Elliott, Assistant Superintendent for Teacher
  Education and Licensure, or Mrs. Byrd G. Latham, Teacher
  Education Specialist, at (804) 371-2522.

  PDS/psp