Virginia Public School Improvement Program; created. (HB643)

Introduced By

Del. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond)

Description

Virginia Public School Improvement Program. Creates the Virginia Public School Improvement Program to offer maximum educational options and flexibility for parents, teachers, and students. The bill authorizes local school boards to designate or approve any public school within its school division to participate in the Program if (i) it has not applied for, converted to, or received permission from the local school board to operate as a public charter school, or (ii) a majority of parents and teachers of students at the school have petitioned the school board to participate in the Program, or (iii) the school board has determined that, notwithstanding having satisfied the requirements of the Standards of Learning and Standards of Accreditation, less than 81 percent of the students enrolled in a public school within the school division have failed to demonstrate proficiency in reading and less than 79 percent of the students enrolled have failed to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics for three consecutive school years. Local school boards would continue to receive state basic school aid funding for such schools; participating schools would be exempt from certain school division policies and state regulations, but would have to meet SOQ, SOL, SOA, and certain federal requirements; participation can be rescinded by petition of a majority of parents and teachers, violation of the contract with the local school board, or failure of students to achieve satisfactory academic progress each year for two consecutive school years. The Board of Education must establish guidelines to assist school boards in implementing the Program in the school division and provide technical assistance to school boards upon request. Read the Bill »

Outcome

History