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.