Superintendent's Memo #271-09

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

October 2, 2009

TO: Division Superintendents

FROM: Patricia I. Wright, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Content Literacy Continuum Demonstration Events

The Virginia Department of Education, through the Special Education State Personnel Development Grant, established demonstration schools in the Content Literacy Continuum (CLC) developed by the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning using the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM). The SIM is a research-validated adolescent literacy model developed for students with learning disabilities and shown effective at promoting effective instruction and learning for all students. Central Academy Middle School and James River High School in Botetourt County and Liberty Middle School and Patrick Henry High School in Hanover County are conducting demonstrations in the 2009-2010 school year to provide teachers and administrators the opportunity to learn more about the CLC. Botetourt County has adopted the model divisionwide and provides the added opportunity of learning about how the model operates throughout the division.

Those interested in attending a demonstration event are directed to complete the demonstration application posted at http://www.logicdepot.com/surveys/run/start.cfm?skey=DQPYJ-FGFJ3. The application lists the dates the schools are holding the demonstrations and provides additional information about the CLC.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the submission of the application, please contact Dr. Tom Manthey at 804-225-4024 or Tom.Manthey@doe.virginia.gov, or Faye Gosney at 804-786-2485 or Faye.Gosney@doe.virginia.gov.

PIW/tcm