COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
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 o Rules)
(April 4, 2005)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to make
a study on the costs ane 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
leaning possibilities of West Virginia's children; and,
whereas, Thousands of exclusions from elementary school
environments took place during FY 2003-2004 including numerous
exclusions for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, aggressive
conduct, failure to obey rules or authority, gang activity, legal
concerns, failure to work to full potential, illegal drugs,
tobacco, or alcohol, tardiness and truancy, violation of
detention, weapons and other violations; and,
whereas, Thousands of exclusions from middle school
environments took place during FY 2003-2004 including numerous
exclusions for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, aggressive
conduct, failure to obey rules or authority, gang activity, legal
concerns, failure to work to full potential, illegal drugs,
tobacco, or alcohol, tardiness and truancy, violation of
detention, weapons, some exclusions would constitute as a felony
if charged and other violations; and,
whereas, Thousands of exclusions from high school
environments took place during FY 2003-2004 including numerous
exclusions for disrespectful or inappropriate conduct, aggressive
conduct, failure to obey rules or authority, gang activity, legal
concerns, failure to work to full potential, illegal drugs,
tobacco, or alcohol, tardiness and truancy, violation of
detention or suspension, some exclusion would constitute as a
felony if charged, weapons, 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 fo 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 form school for safety
concerns, it increases those safety concerns for the community;
and,
whereas, The average cost of keeping a child in school is
approximately $10,000 per year; and,
whereas, The average cost per year for a child in a
correctional facility is $92,000 per 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 a 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 ane 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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