RD66 - 2003 Report of the Virginia Business-Education Partnership


Executive Summary:
The Virginia Business-Education Partnership (VBEP) closed its offices on December 31, 2003. The U.S. School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994, which was the major source of funding for VBEP from 1994-2001, and the sole source from 2001 forward, ended on September 30, 2001, and was not reauthorized. In October 2002, the U.S. Department of Labor asked those states that still had school-to-work grants open to close by the end of 2003.

The Virginia Business-Education Partnership has worked statewide to promote, help build and recognize partnerships among schools, businesses, parents and community organizations that are working to increase student achievement and prepare students for successful lives and careers in the 21st century. Specifically, VBEP has managed the Virginia School-to-Work Initiative, promoting quality mentoring, student access to post-secondary education and training opportunities, career exploration and student achievement on Virginia's Standards of Learning. With guidance from a Governor-appointed Advisory Council, VBEP has sought to meet parents' expectations for their children and support new and innovative local partnerships that improve academic achievement.