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1999 SESSION

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HB 2384 Compulsory school attendance; (GED) testing.

Introduced by: James H. Dillard II | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Compulsory school attendance; general educational development (GED) testing. Authorizes local school boards to allow compulsory attendance requirements to be satisfied for any student who is at least age 16, upon a meeting between the student, the student’s parents, and the principal or his designee, in which an individual student alternative education (ISAEP) plan is developed in conformity with guidelines prescribed by the Board, which plan must include career guidance counseling, mandatory enrollment in a GED testing program or other alternative education program approved by the local school board, counseling on the economic impact of failing to complete high school and provisions for re-enrollment in school. Such students may take the GED test. From such funds as may be appropriated, local school boards must implement GED testing and preparatory programs consistent with guidelines to be developed by the Board of Education. The guidelines must include a provision allowing such preparatory and testing programs to be offered jointly by two or more school boards. No one under age 16 is eligible for GED testing programs. A student for whom an ISAEP has been granted and who fails to comply with such plan shall be deemed to be in violation of compulsory attendance requirements. Students enrolled with an ISAEP shall be counted in the average daily membership in the relevant school division. Additional amendments provide that home-schooled students need not have three consecutive years of home instruction to be eligible to take the GED test and that, effective July 1, 2000, parents electing to provide home instruction must notify the division superintendents by August 15 of each year. The bill combines and reorganizes several Code sections addressing compulsory school attendance. The repealed sections are moved to § 22.1-254.

This measure includes technical amendments and is identical to SB 962.

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE:

Compulsory school attendance; general educational development (GED) testing. Authorizes local school boards to allow compulsory attendance requirements to be satisfied for any student who is at least age 16, upon a meeting between the student, the student’s parents, and the principal or his designee, in which an individual student alternative education (ISAEP) plan is developed in conformity with guidelines prescribed by the Board, which plan must include career guidance counseling, mandatory enrollment in a GED testing program or other alternative education program approved by the local school board, and counseling on the economic impact of failing to complete high school and provisions for re-enrollment in school. Such students may take the GED test.

From such funds as may be appropriated, local school boards must implement GED testing and preparatory programs consistent with guidelines to be developed by the Board of Education. The guidelines must include a provision allowing such preparatory and testing programs to be offered jointly by two or more school boards. No one under age 16 is eligible for GED testing programs. A student for whom an ISAEP has been granted and who fails to comply with such plan shall be deemed to be in violation of compulsory attendance requirements. Students enrolled with an ISAEP shall be counted in the average daily membership in the relevant school division.

Additional amendments provide that home-schooled students need not have three consecutive years of home instruction to be eligible to take the GED test.

The bill combines and reorganizes several Code sections addressing compulsory school attendance. The repealed sections are moved to § 22.1-254. The bill also contains technical amendments.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Compulsory school attendance; general educational development (GED) testing. Authorizes local school boards to waive compulsory attendance requirements under the following conditions: (i) for a student who is age 16, there must be a meeting between the student, the student’s parents, and the principal or his designee in which an educational plan is developed in conformity with guidelines prescribed by the Board, which plan must include career guidance counseling, mandatory enrollment in a GED testing program or other alternative education program approved by the local school board, and counseling on the economic impact of failing to complete high school; or (ii) for a student who is age 17, there must be a meeting between the student, the student’s parents, and the principal or his designee in which the student receives counseling on the economic impact of failing to complete high school, the parent provides written permission for the student’s withdrawal from school, and the student provides a written statement acknowledging his desire to withdraw from school and evidence of his legal employment of at least 20 hours per week. Such students may take the GED test.

From such funds as may be appropriated, local school boards must implement GED testing and preparatory programs consistent with guidelines to be developed by the Board of Education. The guidelines must include a provision allowing such preparatory and testing programs to be offered jointly by two or more school boards. No one under age 16 is eligible for GED testing programs.

Additional amendments provide that home-schooled students need not have three consecutive years of home instruction to be eligible to take the GED test.

The bill combines and reorganizes several Code sections addressing compulsory school attendance. The repealed sections are moved to § 22.1-254. The bill also contains technical amendments.