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1996 SESSION

961736178
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 192
Offered January 22, 1996
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study ways to promote innovation in the Commonwealth's public school system.
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Patrons-- Crittenden, Armstrong, Barlow, Behm, Bennett, Christian, Cooper, Cunningham, DeBoer, Deeds, Diamonstein, Grayson, Hall, Hamilton, Jones, D.C., Jones, J.C., Keating, McEachin, Robinson, Shuler, Spruill and Van Yahres; Senators: Goode, Lambert, Lucas, Marsh, Maxwell, Miller, Y.B. and Norment
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, rising dropout rates, escalating school violence, and declining student test scores have prompted education leaders to call for "systemic change in the way teaching and learning are practiced in the nation's elementary and secondary schools;" and

WHEREAS, in pursuing creative solutions to various educational and administrative challenges, a number of states have grappled with school finance reform, and many have also explored initiatives such as school choice, vouchers, site-based management, school performance assessments, and teacher empowerment; and

WHEREAS, promoting innovation in public education in the Commonwealth requires careful examination of constitutional and statutory education standards that apply to all public schools, state education requirements that may currently be waived, and existing mechanisms for flexibility in the attainment of state education standards; and

WHEREAS, in addition, concerns regarding educational excellence, the effective administration of public education, and the responsibility and authority of local school boards must be addressed in determining mechanisms for innovation and flexibility in Virginia's' public school system; and

WHEREAS, although there are some ongoing programs that support innovation in public education, such as Governor's Schools, a collaborative school improvement planning initiative, and a variety of open enrollment policies, magnet and special emphasis schools, alternative and night schools, and dual enrollment programs, further study is needed to identify any barriers in the present system of public education that inhibit innovation and reform; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study ways to promote innovation in the Commonwealth's public school system and to identify any barriers in the current system of public education that inhibit innovations, improvement, and reform. The joint subcommittee shall consider current statutes that support flexibility, existing mechanisms for obtaining waivers from certain state education regulations, recent legislative and executive branch studies and actions addressing innovation and flexibility in public education, and such other issues as the joint subcommittee deems appropriate.

The joint subcommittee shall consist of nine members as follows: five members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, and four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 5,400.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request. The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing 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.