Individualized Student Alternative Education Program

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY SCHOOLS

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

Code of Virginia, 1999, Section 22.1-254

Initiated Spring 2000

Overview | Components | GED | State GED Site


The Pittsylvania County School Division began offering an Individual Student Alternative Education Program (ISAEP) in the spring of 2000. The initiation of this program was the result of legislation passed during the 1999 session of the Virginia General Assembly. According to Section 22.1-254.D of the Code of Virginia, a local school board is authorized to allow any student who is at least 16 years old to participate in an Individual Student Alternative Education Program (ISAEP) to satisfy compulsory attendance requirements.

According to the Code of Virginia, the ISAEP must include:
  • Career guidance counseling,
  • Mandatory enrollment in a GED® testing program or other alternative education program,
    (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)
  • Counseling on the economic impact of failing to complete high school,
  • Provisions for re-enrollment in school.

The Virginia Board of Education identified additional critical areas that are required in the ISAEP program services, including an occupational training option for students not employed and vocational assessment for each student entering the program.

In addition, the Board of Education determined that a regular progress report for the student and parent must be included.
The Virginia Department of Education has developed guidelines for local implementation of the program. The Pittsylvania County School Division has taken the guidelines provided by the Department of Education and developed the initial local program guidelines. The Central Office will operate this program through the Adult Education Department. The assessment and classes will be held in the basement of Adult Education Center on the campus of the Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center in Chatham. The Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center is located beside Chatham Middle School on Highway 29.
Please contact your high school principal or guidance department for more information.
Who can benefit from the ISAEP?

The ISAEP (Individual Student Alternative Education Program) provides an opportunity for eligible students to prepare for the GED®

 
when:
  • A student is one or more years behind age mates in high school credits
AND/OR
  • A student is a parent responsible for child care during all or part of the school day
  • A student has a history of discipline problems resulting in numerous suspensions
  • A student has circumstances (other than academic) that make it difficult to attain a high school diploma.

How does a student get into the ISAEP?
Referrals may be by the following:
  • the student
  • the high school principal, counselor, or teacher
  • the parent/guardian
AND

Meet the eligibility requirements for ISAEP  

What happens after the referral?

Upon receiving the referral, the ISAEP Coordinator will schedule a meeting with the parent/guardian and the student to review the requirements to obtain entry as well as the rules and regulations that govern the ISAEP.
What are the basic eligibility requirements for the ISAEP?
  • Take a reading test and score 7.5 (grade equivalent)
  • Take the Official GED® Practice Test and score a minimum of 410 on each of the five sub-tests.
  • Take a vocational assessment
What are the tests?
Tabular for Adult Basic Education (Reading test 7.5 or higher)
  • Math
  • Science
  • Reading
  • Social Studies
  • Writing including a 5 paragraph essay
How long will the tests take to complete?
The tests are timed. Each test has a different time limit to finish the test. The entire test should be completed in 4 hours. However some students take longer breaks between the tests which will extent the time to complete the tests. The tests are usually given on Tuesdays or Thursdays depending on how many students are scheduled to be tested and the schedule of the student/parent. The testing begins promptly at 9:00 am in the ISAEP classroom. An excused absence will be reported to the high school if the student misses school to complete the test. After the last test has been completed, the prospective student will take a Vocational Assessment in the ISAEP classroom. This test should take about 90 minutes to complete. All together the student should take 5 and half hours to complete all components.
How long will the tests take to be scored?
The tests are usually scored within two school days and the results are sent to the home address given on the ISAEP referral and a copy is sent to the Guidance Counselor for the student’s school.
What if my child does not pass any of the tests?
The student can take the test again in three months to see if there is any improvement in his/her scores.
What are the attendance requirements for the ISAEP?
If a student meets the eligibility requirements and gains admission in the program, attendance is mandatory since the students are still subject to compulsory attendance laws. Failure to attend the program classes will result in appropriate legal action taken against the student and/or parent/guardian as well as being dropped from the program without the chance to return to the program.
Will the ISAEP Program meet the students' individual needs?
An individualized plan will be developed for each student once a determination has been made that the student has the potential to be successful in the program. Every assignment turned in will be used to determine if the concept has been understood by the student or if another assignment should be given.
What is expected of each student?
Each student is expected to arrive on time on their scheduled time to be in class. They are expected to behave with respect and dignity when arriving, during, and leaving the classroom, as well as the parking lot. Every student is expected to do their own work to be turned in a timely manner. The work will be scored and returned to the student by the next class time, if not sooner. The student must re-work any and all problems that he or she missed until the assignment is 100% correct. The student is expected to work quietly for the entire time that they are in class. Some students need a very quiet environment to perform at their best, so all students must respect the “Quiet Classroom” policy while enrolled in ISAEP. This includes talking loud to other student in the classroom, talking on a cellphone and constantly moving in the classroom.
Are regular progress reports of my child’s performance sent home?
A report from the Instructor will be sent out every six weeks. On this report, the parent or guardian will see how many hours and days the student has spent in class for the entire school year. The report will inform the parent or guardian on the aspects of the ISAEP and how the student is currently performing. There is a place for the parent/guardian’s signature. The Interim Report must be returned with the parent/guardian’s signature. A copy of the Interim Report can be made if the parent/guardian requests it. There is also an indication whether the Instructor wishes a conference concerning the student’s performance or behavior. The student will be evaluated on the following:
  • Attitude
  • Behavior
  • Daily Exercises
  • Homework
  • Math Assignments
  • Reading Assignment
  • Science Assignments
  • Social Studies Assignments
  • Writing Assignments
What are the options for exiting the ISAEP?
  • Successful completion of all components of the ISAEP including passing the GED® Test or
  • Re-entry to high school to pursue a diploma at the beginning of a semester.
Where will the classes be held?
ISAEP classes will meet in the basement of the Adult Education building on the campus of the Pittsylvania County Career Technical Center south of Chatham on Highway 29 beside the new Chatham Middle School. Students must provide transportation.
More information about ISAEP can be found at the following schools:
Chatham High School
100 Cavalier Circle
Chatham, VA 24531
434-432-8305
Dan River High School
100 Wildcat Circle
Ringgold, VA 24586
434-822-7081

Gretna High School
100 Gretna Hawk Circle
Gretna, VA 24557
434-656-2246
Tunstall High School
100 Trojan Circle
Dry Fork, VA 24549
434-724-7111

ISAEP Program is administered through the:

Adult Basic Education Program of Pittsylvania County Schools
39 Bank Street
P. O. Box 232
Chatham, Virginia 24531
Representatives of the ISAEP for Pittsylvania County Schools are as follows:
Ms. Angela Rigney
Director of Career and Technical Education 
11700 Highway 29 North
Chatham, VA 24586
As required by federal laws and regulations, Pittsylvania County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, handicapping conditions, or national origin in its educational programs and activities