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1995 SESSION

LD4414482
HOUSE BILL NO. 2420
Offered January 23, 1995
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-205 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-277.1:1, relating to guidelines for homework assignments and driver education programs.
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Patron--Wagner
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Referred to Committee on Education
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-205 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-277.1:1 as follows:

§ 22.1-205. Driver education programs.

A. The Board of Education shall establish for the public school system a standardized program of driver education in the safe operation of motor vehicles. Such program shall consist of classroom training and , behind the wheel driver training, and instruction concerning alcohol and drug abuse. Such instruction shall be developed by the Board in cooperation with the Commission on the Alcohol Safety Action Program and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. However, any student who participates in such a program of driver education shall meet the academic requirements established by the Board, and shall be in compliance with local school board policies governing homework assignments established in accordance with guidelines for local school boards as may be developed by the Board. no No student in a driver education course shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle without a license or permit to do so issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The program shall include instruction concerning alcohol and drug abuse. Such instruction shall be developed by the Department in cooperation with the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services.

B. The Board shall assist school divisions by preparation, publication and distribution of competent driver education instructional materials to ensure a more complete understanding of the responsibilities and duties of motor vehicle operators.

C. Each school board shall determine whether to offer the program of driver education in the safe operation of motor vehicles and, if offered, whether such program shall be an elective or a required course. Only school divisions complying with the standardized program and regulations established by the Board of Education and the provisions of § 46.2-335 shall be entitled to participate in the distribution of state funds appropriated for driver education.

D. The actual initial driving instruction shall be conducted, with motor vehicles equipped as may be required by regulation of the Board of Education, on private or public property removed from public highways if practicable; if impracticable, then, at the request of the school board, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall designate a suitable section of road near the school to be used for such instruction. Such section of road shall be marked with signs, which the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall supply, giving notice of its use for driving instruction. Such signs shall be removed at the close of the instruction period. No vehicle other than those used for driver training shall be operated between such signs at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour. Violation of this limit shall be a Class 4 misdemeanor.

E. The Board of Education may, in its discretion, promulgate regulations for the use and certification of paraprofessionals as teaching assistants in the driver education programs of school divisions.

§ 22.1-277.1:1. Board guidelines for homework assignments; establishment of homework policies by local school boards.

A. The Board of Education shall develop model guidelines for local school boards in establishing policies governing homework assignments. Such guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, (i) criteria to ensure the relevancy of the homework assignment to class instruction; (ii) provisions which address the need for developing disciplined study habits; the preparation of assignments; adherence to assignment deadlines; flexibility in providing opportunities to students to complete such assignments; the appropriate level of parental involvement in the homework process relative to the age, developmental level, and academic proficiencies of the student; and the nature of the assignment; and (iii) appropriate sanctions which may be imposed to ensure compliance with school board policies governing homework assignments, including disapproval of the student’s request to participate in driver education programs, as provided in § 22.1-205.

B. A local school board may establish policies governing homework assignments given to students enrolled in the public schools of the school division, in accordance with guidelines as may be developed by the Board.