HCR 37 Text

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 37
(By Delegates Paxton, Fahey, Romine, Susman,
Canterbury and Overington)

(Originating in the Committee on Education)

[March 28, 2001]

Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to make a study on instructional time in the public schools of the state.

Whereas, The West Virginia Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for a thorough and efficient system of free schools and the general laws of the state determine how such a system is provided; and

Whereas, The general laws establish parameters for the days and times within which students are to receive the instruction that will enable them to become thoroughly educated; and

Whereas, The laws, policies and practices effected within schools and school systems also affect the days and times of instruction given to students and the efficiency of instructional delivery; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the joint committee on government and finance is hereby requested to review, examine and study the laws, policies and practices affecting instructional time in the public schools of the state; and be it

Further Resolved, That the said joint committee on government and finance shall charge a committee of nineteen persons comprised as follows to conduct the study and prepare a report of its findings, conclusions and recommendations together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations. Three members of the Senate, appointed by the President, one of whom shall be appointed as co-chair; three members of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker, one of whom shall be appointed as co-chair; three classroom teachers, one each from the elementary, middle and high school levels, appointed by the President and Speaker; three school principals, one each from the elementary, middle and high school levels, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent county school boards, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent county superintendents, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent the state board, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent higher education in the area of continuing education, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent school nurses relative to providing care for special needs students, appointed by the President and Speaker; one person to represent parents of students enrolled in the public schools, appointed by the President and Speaker; and a high school student, appointed by the President and Speaker; and be it

Further Resolved, That relevant factors affecting the thorough and efficient delivery of instruction which shall be considered by the committee include, but are not limited to:

(1) Statutes affecting the school calendar, such as holidays, outside the school environment days, delays and cancellations for hazardous weather conditions and the beginning and ending dates for the school term and how the statutes are implemented in the counties;

(2) Statutes affecting the use of instructional days and times for non-instructional purposes;

(3) School activities such as athletic events, rallies, assemblies, fund-raising, non-instructional field trips, and outside of the school activities that are not part of the curriculum or related to the students program of study;

(4) Disruptions of instructional time caused by discipline problems, programs related to improving student behavior, announcements, and caring for health issues and exceptional student needs;

(5) Time used for student test preparation and testing; and

(6) Any other factors affecting the days and times required to provide for a thorough and efficient education as the committee deems appropriate.

The committee shall also investigate the issue of "banked time" and shall establish a definition for "instructional time"; and be it

Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2002, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government and finance.

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