COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 114

May 27, 2005

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Statewide Partnership Agreement Between Prosoft Learning and the Virginia Department of Education

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Office of Career and Technical Education Services, is pleased to announce a three-year partnership agreement with Prosoft Learning relating to its Certified Internet

Web Professional (CIW) program. The Certified Internet

Web Professional certification program is considered the premier Web master certification in this particular job segment of the information technology industry.

CIW industry certifications and skill set examinations provide entry-level as well as advanced credentials for Web design and development training programs focusing on industry standard competencies. CIW Foundation examinations are considered pathway credentials for high school students who will work toward more advanced certifications in post-secondary informational technology pathway areas. CIW industry certification credentials have been approved by the Board of Education for the student-selected verified credit option.

The state partnership agreement will allow high school career and technical education programs to test online for CIW certification examinations and receive a waiver of the site fee for online examination testing. Without a state partnership, a yearly test site fee of $400 per school would be charged. The state partnership agreement will also allow high schools using CIW to purchase CIW curriculum and test/prep courseware at a discount. Each secondary teacher using CIW is also eligible to receive one free CIW exam voucher.

Schools choosing to target the Certified Internet

Web Professional program from Prosoft Learning should take advantage of the state partnership by completing the CIW Memorandum of Understanding and CIW Certified Testing Center Enrollment forms. These forms can be downloaded at http://www.CIWcertified.com, completed, and then sent directly to Prosoft Learning.

For information on how CIW certifications correlate to certain business and information technology courses, contact Anne Rowe (Anne.Rowe@doe.virginia.gov), specialist for business and information technology, Office of Career and Technical Education, at 804-225-2838. For information about this specific industry certification program and/or the state partnership agreement, contact Gordon Creasy (Gordon.Creasy@doe.virginia.gov), specialist for industry certification and licensure, Office of Career and Technical Education, at 804-225-2057.

JLD/EMR/GC/sgj