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1996 SESSION

966374649
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 89
Offered January 22, 1996
Requesting the Board of Education to examine the possibilities of utilizing educational technology to resolve issues related to overcrowded school buildings and old school buildings.
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Patron-- Earley
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, across the Commonwealth, building conditions are not educationally sound, with over half of the schools over 30 years old and most school divisions using trailers; and

WHEREAS, class sizes and space needs, as well as poor structures, are not conducive to learning; and

WHEREAS, in some school divisions, the school-age population continues to grow, and the funds available for construction of new schools or the renovation of old schools are very limited; and

WHEREAS, in many instances, the conflict becomes the often-heard bricks or books syndrome, with school officials continually wondering how the problems will be solved; and

WHEREAS, with the advent of distance-learning through satellites, networks and telephone lines, the concept of the contained classroom is changing to one of a school without walls; and

WHEREAS, perhaps the answer is with technology that would allow staggered school attendance, with some children remaining at home and commuting via technology to the classroom, while others attend school in the traditional classroom; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Board of Education be requested to examine the possibilities of utilizing educational technology to resolve issues related to overcrowded school buildings and old school buildings. The Board is further requested to think in innovative and unusual ways about the configuration of the school day and the classroom and to consider developing a pilot project in which some children would attend school on staggered days and on other days these children would commute to school via technology.

The Department of Education shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by agencies with technological expertise, as necessary. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Board, upon request.

The Board 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.