INFORMATIONAL

  The federally-funded Class Size Reduction Program is a
  new initiative designed to reduce class size in the early
  grades. A copy of Public Law 105.277 is attached for your
  information.   

  Under this program, funds will be distributed to states
  and school divisions based on poverty, school-age
  population and enrollment.  The estimated allocation that
  Virginia will receive is $21,038,247.  All of these funds
  will be distributed to school divisions.

  The U.S. Department of Education will sponsor technical
  assistance workshops throughout the month of March 1999. 
  Representatives from the Virginia Department of Education
  will attend one of the technical assistance workshops to
  obtain specific instructions on the grant application,
  award processes and program planning. 

  Technical assistance and application workshops for school
  divisions will be held during the month of April 1999. 
  You will receive notification of the allocation for your
  school division and a schedule of the technical
  assistance workshops.  However, if you would like to
  review information about the Class Size Reduction
  Program, you may visit the U.S. Department of Education
  website at http://www.ed.gov/inits/FY99/index.html.  

  Please be aware that the allocations to states and school
  divisions that are posted on the website are estimates
  only.  We have identified several school divisions that
  have been omitted in the estimated district allocations
  on the website. This will require an adjustment to the
  allocations of the affected school divisions. 

  The Department of Education is in the process of working
  on the allocations and the application for school
  divisions.  This information will be forwarded to you as
  soon possible. If you have any questions during the
  interim, please contact George H. Irby at (804) 225-2869. 

  PDS:tsc

  Attachment:  A hard copy of this memo and its attach-
               ment will be sent to the superintendent's
               office.