RD63 - Report on the Individual Student Alternative Education Plan Program


Executive Summary:
The Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program prepares secondary students to take the Tests of General Educational Development (GED) while developing career and technical education skills. Section 22.1-254 of the Code of Virginia authorizes local school boards to fulfill compulsory attendance requirements for individuals who are at least 16 years of age and enrolled in an ISAEP program that includes career guidance counseling, GED preparation, counseling on the economic impact of not completing high school, and procedures for reenrollment.

During 2002-03 school year:

• The Department of Education distributed $2,173,058.78 in grants to support ISAEP programs in school divisions. The grants ranged from $8,114 to $105,481.

• Board of Education guidelines for ISAEP programs were revised to reflect score requirement changes resulting from the release of the 2002 series of the GED Tests. Technical assistance activities focused on increasing the use of technology to support assessment and instructional activities that prepare students for the 21st century workforce.

• School divisions reported that 4,163 students between the ages of 16 and 18 years of age qualified for an ISAEP and received ISAEP services. The percentage of 17 and 18 year old students with an ISAEP increased slightly, and some ISAEP programs reported serving students older than 18 years of age.

• Fifty of the 131 participating school divisions reported issuing GED Certificates as an ISAEP exit credential. Those 50 school divisions reported that 938 GED Certificates were issued to students with an ISAEP.

The 2003 annual report of the ISAEP program was prepared by staff at the Virginia Department of Education and approved by the Virginia Board of Education on November 19, 2003. For additional information, contact the Office of Adult Education and Literacy, Virginia Department of Education, P. O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120, 804-225-2075.