HCR 85 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85
(By Delegates Campbell, Williams, Spencer, Canterbury, Crosier, Eldridge, Lane, Louisos, Marshall, Paxton, Perry, Poling, Roberts, Stephens, Stevens, Sumner, Tansill, Wells, and Wysong)

(Originating in the Committee on Education)

(April 4, 2005)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make a study on the costs and benefits of full time in-school alternative education programs and a study into choosing one school from each RESA to set up model programs for the 2005- 2006 school year to be used as a pilot program.

Whereas, The goal of the educational system is to further the learning possibilities of West Virginia's children; and, Whereas, 7,822 exclusions from elementary school environments took place during FY 2003-2004, 2,746 for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, 3,672 for aggressive conduct, 706 for failure to obey rules or authority, 1 for gang activity, 278 for legal concerns, 140 for failure to work to full potential, 51 for illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, 29 for tardiness and truancy, 20 for violation of detention, 63 for weapons, 116 for other violations ; and, Whereas, 40,978 exclusions from middle school environments took place during FY 2003-2004, 12,306 for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, 15,736 for aggressive conduct, 5,837 for failure to obey rules or authority, 1 for gang activity, 962 for legal concerns, 1,044 for failure to work to full potential, 860 for illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, 1,850 for tardiness and truancy, 1,716 for violation of detention, 167 for weapons, 14 would constitute as a felony if charged, 485 for other violations; and, Whereas, 99,298 exclusions from high school environments took place during FY 2003-2004, 10,354 for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, 9,966 for aggressive conduct, 8,068 for failure to obey rules or authority, 5 for gang activity, 844 for legal concerns, 716 for failure to work to full potential, 2,462 for illegal drugs, tobacco, or alcohol, 12,534 for tardiness and truancy, 4,883 for violation of detention or suspension, 22 would constitute as a felony if charged, 137 for weapons, 507 for other violations; and,
Whereas, An exclusion constitutes removal from the classroom setting for any specified length of time for disciplinary reasons; and,
Whereas, An exclusion can be removal from the classroom, in- school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or an interim alternative setting by school personnel; and,
Whereas, Exclusions can be the result of major or minor offenses; and,
Whereas, Some of the students have challenged home lives, others live in a challenged environment that encourages participation in illegal activities and others do not have an avenue to focus their talents and abilities ; and, Whereas, Excluding a child increases their risk of failure especially for high-risk students; and, Whereas, When a student is excluded from school for safety concerns, it increases those safety concerns for the community; and,
Whereas, The cost of keeping a child in school is $10,986 per year; and,
Whereas, the cost per year for a child in a correctional facility is $70,820; and,
Whereas, 486 school age children are currently serving in correctional institutions; with over 2,000 expected to go through the system this year; and, Whereas, The current makeup of alternative education does not afford the student an efficient transfer back into the regular learning environment; and, Whereas, Research continually reveals that alternative education students can succeed and perform well academically when placed in an effective program; therefore, be it,
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to make a study on the costs and benefits of full time in-school alternative education programs and a study into choosing one school from each RESA to set up model programs for the 2005-2006 school year to be used as a pilot program ; and, be it
Further resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to prepare a report that will be received by the interim Committee on Education by July 31, 2005.

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