Public schools; Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission to study post-Labor Day school opening. (HJ620)

Introduced By

Description

Study; post-Labor Day school opening; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the feasibility and effect of post-Labor Day opening of public schools in the Commonwealth. In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall (i) determine the number of school divisions granted a waiver by the Board of Education each year pursuant to 22.1-79.1, requiring public schools to open after Labor Day; (ii) enumerate the opening and closing dates of public schools in school divisions granted waivers; (iii) evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of pre- and post Labor Day opening of public schools in Virginia, including the effect on instruction, student achievement, student preparation for national standardized examinations, the tourism industry, state revenues derived from post-Labor Day school opening, and disruption of end-of-summer family vacations; (iv) determine the number of high school students employed annually in Virginia's summer tourism industry, including recent high school graduates and students on work visas, and state revenues generated from their employment; (v) identify school opening dates in other states and determine, in states that have changed school opening dates within the past 10 years, whether and how post-Labor Day school opening has impacted public education and summer tourism; and (vi) examine other factors as the Commission may determine that should be considered in fashioning a feasible solution and sound public policy regarding post-Labor Day school opening and propose appropriate options and alternatives.  The Commission must report its findings and recommendations to the 2012 Session of the General Assembly. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History