SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2002 SESSION

022280432
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 58
Offered January 9, 2002
Prefiled January 8, 2002
Establishing a commission to review, study and reform educational leadership.
----------
Patron-- Hanger
----------
Referred to Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, inextricably linked to excellence in public education and student academic achievement in our public schools is effective leadership; and

WHEREAS, the Standards of Accreditation acknowledge that the principal is the "instructional leader of the school and is responsible for effective school management that promotes positive student achievement, a safe and secure environment in which to teach and learn, and efficient use of resources"; and

WHEREAS, the Standards of Accreditation also recognize the "critically important role of principals to the success of public schools and the students who attend those schools"; and

WHEREAS, the differing roles and responsibilities of division superintendents, principals, assistant principals, and teachers for providing a system of public education of the highest quality merit ongoing consideration and review as the Commonwealth strives to provide opportunities for learning and achievement for all students; and

WHEREAS, in pursuing efforts to continually improve educational leadership in Virginia public schools, the Commonwealth of Virginia sought and was awarded one of 15 National State Action for Educational Leadership Project (SAELP) grants from the Wallace Readers Digest Funds, and the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute (CEPI), on behalf of the Virginia Department of Education, directed this grant; and

WHEREAS, CEPI held three summits on educational leadership, embracing the input of participants from the Governor’s Office, the Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, members of the General Assembly, and educational stakeholders and practitioners; and

WHEREAS, prompted by concerns regarding the changing roles and demands of educational leaders and the shortage of educational leaders in low-performing schools, the SAELP summit recommended, among other things, the formation of a legislative commission on educational leadership; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a commission be established to review, study and reform educational leadership.

The commission shall be composed of 27 members as follows: eight members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; six members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; one president of a Virginia public four-year institution of higher education or his/her designee, and one practicing assistant principal actively employed by a Virginia local school board, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; one dean of a school of education within a Virginia public institution of higher education or his/her designee, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; the Secretary of Education or his/her designee; the President of the Board of Education or his designee; the Superintendent of Public Instruction or his/her designee; the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute; the executive director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia or his/her designee; the Virginia Teacher of the Year; the three Virginia Principals of the Year, one each at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; and the Virginia School Superintendent of the Year, to serve ex officio with full voting privileges.

The chair of the commission shall be jointly selected from among the legislative members of the commission by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections and Speaker of the House of Delegates. The executive director of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute shall serve as vice-chair.

In conducting its study, the commission shall, among other things, (i) evaluate the policy environment for educational leadership; (ii) propose necessary statutory amendments or changes based on research, surveys, analysis and review of pertinent laws, guidelines, policies, regulations and practices; (iii) communicate regularly to the Board of Education any relevant findings with recommendations for needed regulatory action; and (iv) provide a forum for educational leaders to report to the Commission the challenges and impact of their work.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $41,000. In addition, the CEPI, from the SAELP grant monies, shall contribute $25,000 to the expenses of this Commission.

The Division of Legislative Services and the staff of the Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the commission, upon request.

The commission shall complete its first year of study by November 30, 2002, and shall submit an interim report, including its written findings and recommendations, to the Governor and the 2003 Session of the General Assembly, as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

The commission shall complete its work by November 30, 2003, and shall submit its final report, including its written findings and recommendations, to the Governor and the 2004 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.