RD258 - Individual Student Alternative Education Plan Program - October 2009


Executive Summary:
The Individual Student Alternative Education Plan (ISAEP) program prepares certain secondary students to take the Tests of General Educational Development (GED®) while developing career and technical education skills. Section 22.1-254.D of the Code of Virginia authorizes local school boards to allow fulfillment of 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 re-enrollment.

During the tenth year of the ISAEP program (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009):

• School divisions spent $2,239,722 in funds for this program.

• School divisions reported that 6,198 students ages 16 and older qualified for the program and received ISAEP services.

Since the program’s inception, over 47,000 Virginia students have been served. For the 2008-2009 school year, $2,239,722 of the total allocation of $2,247,518 was spent, with $7,859 unexpended because one school division did not apply for funding.

Data collection related to the ISAEP program was expanded in Fiscal Year 2008- 2009. Data are being collected that include the following: enrollments, reasons for enrolling, student/teacher ratios, career counseling and preparation, types and hours of career and technical education, hours of GED instruction, and number of candidates who passed the GED Tests. This additional information will enhance program monitoring.
____________________
GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the American Council on Education.