HB1119: School climate survey; Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop and make available annually.

HOUSE BILL NO. 1119

Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled January 10, 2018
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-23 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Superintendent of Public Instruction; school climate survey.
Patron-- VanValkenburg

Committee Referral Pending

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22.1-23 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 22.1-23. Duties in general.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall:

1. Serve as secretary of the Board of Education;

2. Provide such assistance in his office as shall be necessary for the proper and uniform enforcement of the provisions of the school laws in cooperation with the local school authorities;

3. Prepare and furnish such forms for attendance officers, teachers and other school officials as are required by law;

4. (Expires July 1, 2020) At least annually, survey all local school divisions to identify critical shortages of teachers and administrative personnel by geographic area, by school division, or by subject matter, and report such critical shortages to each local school division and to the Virginia Retirement System;

5. Develop and provide to local school divisions a model exit questionnaire for teachers;

6. Develop and make available annually to each public elementary and secondary school teacher in the Commonwealth a voluntary and anonymous school climate survey to evaluate school-level teaching conditions and the impact such conditions have on teacher retention and student achievement. Such survey shall include questions regarding school leadership, teacher leadership, teacher autonomy, demands on teachers' time, student conduct management, professional development, instructional practices and support, new teacher support, community engagement and support, and facilities and other resources.

7. Along with the State Health Commissioner, work to combat childhood obesity and other chronic health conditions that affect school-age children;

7. 8. Designate an employee of the Department of Education to serve as its liaison to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the State Board for Community Colleges; and

8. 9. Perform such other duties as the Board of Education may prescribe.