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Eleven Virginia Schools Divisions to Participate in Commonwealth Scholars Program

The Commonwealth of Virginia and Governor-  Nottoway  County
Timothy M. Kaine have for some time been
encouraging Virginia Schools high school-  Richmond
students to take more rigorous coursework.
The Governor recently announced the pilot-  Roanoke  County
Commonwealth Scholars Program and promotional
campaign to underscore this commitment to-  Scott  County
excellence  in  Virginia's  youth.
The Virginia Career Education Foundation, a
Eleven divisions within the Virginia schoolsstatewide business and education partnership,
initially will participate in the newwill lead the Virginia schools initiative.
program. The required rigorous courseworkThey will work with participating school
goes beyond the minimum graduationdivisions to develop partnerships with local
requirements for a Standard Diploma, butbusinesses and to promote the program.
falls below the college preparationPrivate sector volunteers will be trained to
coursework requirements for an Advancedmake presentations to the students, focusing
Studies Diploma. Students who complete theon how the rigorous high school courses will
core coursework under the Virginia schoolsimprove their post-high school career
program will be recognized as Commonwealthopportunities.
Scholars at graduation and eligible to
receive a special diploma seal thatThe Commonwealth Scholars Program is based on
recognizes their achievement. Instructionala  core  course  of  study  that  includes:
support will be provided to all students who
participate.-  Four  years  of  English;
A two-year, $300,000 State Scholars- Three years of mathematics - Algebra I and
Initiative grant from the U.S. Department ofII,  and  geometry;
Education funds the Commonwealth Scholars
Program. Virginia schools were one of eight- Three years of science - biology, chemistry
states selected in a national competition toand  physics;
participate  in  the  federal  grant program.
- Three and half years of social studies -
The Virginia schools divisions were chosenselected from United States and Virginia
based on their interest in the program andhistory, world history, geography, economics
their ability to meet the requirements of theand financial literacy, United States and
grant. The eleven Virginia schools' divisionsVirginia  government;
are:
- Two years of health and physical education;
-  Albemarle  Countyand
-  Alexandria-  Two  years of language other than English.
-  BristolResearch has shown that there is a strong
correlation between the academic rigor of
-  Carroll  Countyhigh school coursework taken and
postsecondary degree completion. One example
-  Chesterfield  Countyis mathematics - 40 percent of students who
took Algebra II in high school earned a
-  Henry  Countybachelor's degree, as compared to only 23
percent of graduates who stopped taking high
-  Lancaster  Countyschool mathematics at geometry.



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