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1996 SESSION

961802128
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 196
Offered January 22, 1996
Establishing the Virginia Commission on the Future of Public Education.
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Patrons-- Bennett, Abbitt, Behm, Bloxom, Brickley, Christian, Clement, Connally, Crittenden, Crouch, Deeds, Dudley, Guest, Hall, Heilig, Hull, Jackson, Johnson, McEachin, Moore, Murphy, Phillips, Putney, Reynolds, Ruff, Thomas, Van Landingham and Woodrum; Senator: Lucas
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, Virginia has continued its tradition of excellence in public education with the implementation of revised Standards of Learning in mathematics, English, social studies, science, and computer skills and technology to require that all students complete a rigorous academic curriculum; and

WHEREAS, these new requirements are designed to prepare students to meet successfully the challenges of the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, significant socioeconomic changes and technological capabilities have revolutionized education, and dramatically altered the approach to instruction and learning at all levels of education, grades kindergarten through graduate and professional schools; and

WHEREAS, the anticipation of increased social and economic demands and the formidable task of competing in a global economy in the twenty-first century emphasizes the need for an educated citizenry in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the leaders of Virginia's business and industry community have indicated that the economic and social well-being of the Commonwealth demands a strong educational system to sustain a skilled workforce that will enable Virginia to compete in global markets; and

WHEREAS, the Science and Technology Task Force, HJR 447 (1995) has recommended that the focus of public education in grades K-12 should be changed to include greater emphasis on learning how to acquire and use knowledge and information; and

WHEREAS, the infrastructure of the public schools system, and access to modern computer technology and master teachers in many of Virginia's local school divisions require improvement and enhancements to enable them to take full advantage of available state and local educational and telecommunications technology resources; and

WHEREAS, given the implementation of the revised Standards of Learning, which significantly strengthens academic standards, it is essential that a concerted effort be made to determine and provide the curriculum, materials, and related assessments to ensure that students acquire and are able to apply the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the next century; and

WHEREAS, state and local revenues may be insufficient to meet current educational and technological needs, anticipated growth in school enrollments, and a heightened demand for accountability to ensure an educated citizenry in the coming millennium; and

WHEREAS, the public schools are an integral part of the education continuum to prepare students for entrance into the workplace and to advanced study in Virginia's colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, maintaining a system of high quality public education requires vision, strategic planning, and specific measurable goals; and

WHEREAS, given tremendous social, economic, and technological changes, more rigorous academic standards, and the challenges and demands of the 21st century, the mission of public education should be reconsidered and a concensus among all concerned parties regarding the mission should be achieved to adequately prepare Virginia's children for the decade ahead; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Virginia Commission on the Future of Public Education be established. The Commission shall be composed of thirty-one members to be appointed as follows: six members of the House of Delegates, the Chairmen of the House Committees on Education, Appropriations, and Finance, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; five members of the Senate, the Chairmen of the Senate Committees on Education and Health and on Finance, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; the Lieutenant Governor; the Pro Tempore of the Senate; and eight citizens of whom three shall be recognized for their distinguished leadership and contributions in the fields of public education and public service to the Commonwealth or the nation, one shall be a public school teacher, one parent of a child enrolled in the public schools of the Commonwealth, and one shall be a public school principal, all to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one division superintendent, one representative of business and industry, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, the Secretary of Education, the President of the Board of Education or his designee, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, and the Director of the State Council of Higher Education shall serve ex officio without voting privileges.

The Commission shall also seek the assistance of persons with expertise in public and higher education, business and industry, workforce training, economic development, and teacher training. Such persons shall include, but not be limited to, parents; students; teachers; school administrators; division superintendents; representatives of business and industry; college faculty, staff, and administrators; citizens; and community leaders.

The Commission shall develop a vision for public education consistent with its Constitutional mission, and a strategic plan for accomplishing the vision and mission of public education, which includes (i) feasible innovations for implementing the revised Standards of Learning to enhance students' preparation for future learning and work; (ii) teaching strategies and methodologies, and teacher pre-service and in-service preparation and training, with particular attention given to teacher training needed to assist students in applying concepts and transferring skills; (iii) organizational patterns and management of public schools, the public school infrastructure, incentives and rewards to school divisions that successfully meet state requirements, and whose students attain or maintain high academic achievement; (iv) current and future workforce skills and knowledge needed by high school graduates in the workplace; (v) curriculum and instructional materials and educational technology needs; (vi) student and teacher assessments, and school accountability; (vii) correlation of the objectives of the revised Standards of Learning with the competencies needed for success in employment and postsecondary education; (viii) business and industry linkages and partnerships; (ix) collaborative initiatives with institutions of higher education for augmenting instruction and providing teacher training; (x) parental involvement, student learning styles, educational alternatives and choices of students for career preparation; (xi) funding needed to enable public schools to meet the vision and mission of public education; and (xii) communication and coordination with other legislative studies charged similarly to examine the needs of public education and educational technology.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 34,500. An estimated $1,000 is allocated for materials. Such expenses shall be funded from the operational budget of the Clerk of the House of Delegates.

The Commission shall employ such staff as it deems necessary from such funds as may be appropriated for this purpose. Technical assistance shall be provided by the staffs of the Division of Legislative Services, the House Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Finance, the Department of Education, the State Council of Higher Education, and the Virginia Community College System. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall submit an interim report to the Governor and the 1997 General Assembly, and shall complete its work in time to submit its final findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 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.