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1996 SESSION

961284408
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 249
Offered January 22, 1996
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study education reform in the Commonwealth.
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Patrons-- Plum, Almand, Bennett, Christian, Connally, Councill, Darner, Diamonstein, Dillard, Grayson, Hall, Hull, Jackson, Keating, Moran, Puller, Scott, Thomas, Van Landingham, Van Yahres and Watts; Senator: Howell
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's commitment to public education is evidenced in the Virginia Constitution, as the Bill of Rights notes that "free government rests, as does all progress, upon the broadest possible diffusion of knowledge, and that the Commonwealth should avail itself of those talents which nature has sown so liberally among its people by assuring the opportunity for their fullest development by an effective system of education throughout the Commonwealth"; and

WHEREAS, excellence in public education continues to be a top priority for the Commonwealth, as scholars have noted that "there is no object of government which Virginians would see as more fundamental and of more continuing concern than education"; and

WHEREAS, citing alarming dropout rates and increasing numbers of unskilled graduates ill-prepared to enter the work force, education leaders have urged "systemic change in the way teaching and learning are practiced" in the public schools and have called for educational standards and school reform that will ensure educational excellence for the 21st century; 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 and reform in public education in the Commonwealth requires careful examination of constitutional and statutory education standards that apply to all public schools, the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the General Assembly and the Board of Education, the supervisory authority of local school boards, state education requirements that may currently be waived, and existing mechanisms for flexibility and reform in public education; 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, 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 education reform in the Commonwealth. The joint subcommittee shall examine the student academic achievement in the public schools; review reform proposals in the Commonwealth and reform efforts in other states; consider the constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the General Assembly and the Board of Education, the supervisory authority of local school boards, state education requirements that may currently be waived, and existing mechanisms for flexibility and reform in public education; and make recommendations regarding any reforms it deems appropriate for the improvement of public education in the Commonwealth.

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

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 9,000.

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.