The House Education Committee met at 9 a.m. and then again at 2:30 p.m. today, Feb. 20, in 434-M. Two substantial education bills were on the agenda, both of which were discussed heavily. One of the bills was Senate Bill 1, a bill to increase access to the state’s community and technical schools.
Senate Bill 1 would create the Advanced Career Education (ACE) Program with the intention of fostering a connection between state high schools and community colleges, and it would also create the WV Invests Fund. The WV Invests Fund would fund the community college tuition of select WV students who qualify.
The House Education proposed a strike and insert amendment to the version of Senate Bill 1 at the beginning of the committee meeting that made several key changes to Senate Bill 1. These changes would include the requirement of the WV Chamber of Commerce to research and prepare a list of underserved industries in the state to ensure the proper programs are facilitated, and the addition of public baccalaureate institutions that offer associate programs.
The Chancellor of the Council for Community and Technical College Education, Sarah Tucker, was present to testify to the committee on behalf of Senate Bill 1.
“Students aren’t going to college because they’re scared of cost,” Tucker said. “These programs we put students through guarantee jobs. We start and stop programs based on workforce need.”
The delegates agreed that getting jobs for West Virginians in underserved industries was a necessity, but several were concerned with the implications the bill would have on four year schools.
After lengthy discussion, Senate Bill 1 was ultimately postponed. The House Education Committee will continue to consider the bill at their meeting tomorrow.
House Bill 3127 was also discussed at length on this day, and ultimately tabled for tomorrow as well.
House Bill 3127 would prohibit the denial of enrollment for home-schooled students to participate in secondary school extracurricular activities. Current statute allows home-schooled students to participate in curricular activities such as AP courses in high schools, but this bill would add the option for these students to participate in extracurricular activities as well.
The House Education Committee will continue their discussions of Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 3127 at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Feb. 21, in 434-M.
