COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 235

September 19, 2008

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

 

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

SUBJECT:

2008-2009 National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Program

 

Virginia has received information regarding the application process for the 2008-2009 National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Program. This program, sponsored by the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID), provides an opportunity for Title I schools from every state to be recognized for their educational achievements.

 

Each state may select two schools for national recognition. Selected schools must have a poverty rate of at least 35 percent. One school may be selected to represent Category 1: school that has exceeded its adequate yearly progress (AYP) for two or more consecutive years, and one school may be selected to represent Category 2: school that has significantly closed the achievement gap among the No Child Left Behind student subgroups. In addition to meeting these requirements, the nominated school must also have met or exceeded the state criteria for making AYP for two or more consecutive years, as well as being fully accredited for the same two or more consecutive years.

 

Your school division is invited to nominate one Title I school to represent either of the categories indicated above. A peer review process will be used to select the two Virginia schools for national recognition. Recipients of these awards will be announced in late November. Also, the recipients will be recognized at the National Title I Conference in San Antonio, Texas, during the opening general session on Thursday, February 19, 2009.

 

Attachment A contains the application form, instructions, and the rubric that will be used to review the applications. Nominations must be submitted by October 22, 2008. For questions regarding this recognition program, please contact Gabie Frazier, Title I specialist, at (804) 225-2907 or Gabie.Frazier@doe.virginia.gov.

 

BKCJr/GF/hmt

 

Attachment

 

a. Application Packet for the 2008-2009 National Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Program (Word)