WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Introduced

Senate Bill 750

By Senators Rucker and Cline

[Introduced February 11, 2020; referred
to the Committee on Education]

A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §18-2-7d, relating to establishing extended learning opportunities to include alternative educational opportunities for elective course credit; requiring the state board to develop a policy for the approval of eligible programs and to promulgate a rule; and recognizing that county boards may authorize alternative educational opportunity programs and audit the same.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

article 2. state board of education.

§18-2-7d. Extended learning opportunities to include alternative educational opportunities for elective course credit.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that:

(1) Students are involved in many programs outside of the traditional classroom and that these programs have educational value;

(2) Many entities, including, but not limited to, nonprofits, after-school programs, businesses, and trade associations, may have an interest in offering programs outside of the traditional classroom that are attractive to students and contain educational value;

(3) Learning opportunities that are designed to address the interests and aptitudes of each student have the potential to allow every kid to discover, develop, and apply their talents to realize their full potential;

(4) There exist policies that multiply educational opportunities outside of the traditional classroom in other states;

(5) Providing credit for alternative educational opportunities will enrich the learning environment of students and develop well-rounded individuals ready for a life of learning, productive work, and community involvement.

(b) The State Board of Education shall promulgate a rule requiring the county board of education to develop an extended learning opportunity to include alternative educational opportunities for elective course credit.

(c) The county board of education shall adopt an extended learning opportunities policy to include alternative educational opportunities for course credit that recognizes learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom and grants elective credit for those extended learning opportunities to include alternative educational opportunities. The policy shall:

(1) Provide for an application process for entities to submit proposals for alternative educational opportunities that will qualify for course credit;

(2) Define which entities are eligible to submit applications for alternative educational opportunities: Provided, That entities which are deemed eligible shall be broadly defined and shall include, but not be limited to:

(A) Nonprofit organizations;

(B) Businesses with established locations in the state;

(C) Trade associations;

(D) Parents of students involved in programs that may otherwise qualify for alternative educational opportunities;

(E) Teachers involved in programs outside of the traditional classroom;

(F) School personnel involved in programs outside of the traditional classroom;

(3) Provide for the criteria used to evaluate the alternative educational opportunity;

(4) Describe any communication and collaboration needed with local school districts to implement alternative educational opportunities approved by the State Board of Education;

(5) Place requirements on the entity such as background checks for key personnel and minimum accountability standards;

(6) Provide a process for student credit transfer.

(d) The county board of education shall have the authority to approve or deny an application for an alternative educational opportunity: Provided, That if the application is denied, the county board shall provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for its denial and suggest ways to improve the application that will assist its more favorable view by the county board.

(e) The county board shall have the authority to audit approved alternative educational programs at any time. If the audit results in findings that an approved program is not meeting the provisions of this section or the policy outlined in subsection (c) of this section, then the county board may disqualify the program immediately.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish extended learning opportunities to include alternative educational opportunities for elective course credit; require the State Board of Education to develop a policy for the approval of alternative educational programs and to promulgate a rule; and recognize the county board of education’s authority to approve or deny applications for alternative educational opportunity and audit approved programs.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.