The Education Committee met this afternoon.
Senate Bill 158 modifies eligibility and qualifications to serve as an appointed member of the State Board of Education. The bill prohibits certain political activities.
Senate Bill 581 provides excused absences for students including up to 5 college visits and participation in any WV Department of Education sanction activity or program for student enrichment including 4-H, FFA, FBLA, etc. There is a limit of 10 for each student per school year.
Senate Bill 912 requires the statewide student growth assessment program to be composed of benchmark assessments to be given in the first 30 days of the school year, mid-year, and at the end of the school year to determine student progression in reading and mathematics in grades four through eight.
Senate Bill 911 allows adjunct teacher permits who meet requirements (1) four years of experience or college degree in the content area, (2) a criminal background check, and (3) have not been convicted of a felony, pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony charge or any charge involving sexual misconduct with a minor. County boards are not required to provide retirement benefits, health insurance, or other type of benefits unless both the county board and the adjunct teacher agree to the benefits.
Senate Bill 914 changes the minimum instructional term for private, parochial, or religious schools from 180 days with an average of five hours of instruction per day to 800 hours per school year. The bill was laid over one day.
Senate Bill 154 prohibits instruction relating to sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill prohibits a public school, and the county board employees assigned to the school from knowingly giving false or misleading information to the parent, custodian, or guardian of a student regarding the student’s gender identity or intention to transition to a gender that is different than the student’s biological sex. It also requires the reporting of a student’s request for an accommodation that is intended to affirm a change in the student’s gender identity that is different from a student’s biological sex to an administrator employed by the county board and assigned to the school. Additionally, the bill requires the administrator to report the student’s request to the student’s parent, custodian, or guardian. The bill was amended to remove a parent’s ability to file civil action; any complaints are to be handled by the board of education.
There was a motion to table the bill, and it was rejected. Another motion to lay the bill over one day was rejected. The previous question was called. The bill advances to the Judiciary Committee.
