The Senate Education Committee met today to discuss SB 630.
Senate Bill 630 would establish the Accessibility and Equity in Public Education Enhancement Act. The act would allow the county boards to create a virtual instruction program through policy for the schools to adopt. It may offer an online pathway for those wishing to get a high school diploma. An eligible student in the program must be included in the school enrollment numbers. The student participating in the program may participate in extracurricular activities so long as they keep in line with the other eligibility requirements.
Senator Mann (R-Monroe) commented, “This would help people with special needs, troubled children, or everyday students. I don’t see everyone going into this realm, but it would give them an option. It provides flexibility.”
Senator Stollings (D-Boone) said, “It mentions K-12 and I’m not sure about the children in Kindergarten through 3rd.”
Dr. Ron During, the superintendent of Kanawha County Schools, said, “I feel like we can enhance the accessibility of public education. We can customize schooling to fit families’ lifestyles. This program can help the kids who want to get a modeling portfolio together or study abroad to be a concert pianist, stay enrolled in their home high school while following their dream. This moves education to the future.”
When asked about the younger children using the program by Senator Stollings, Dr. During said the program could provide these students who would be homeschooled otherwise with vetted material to make sure the children are being educated properly.
Dr. During also said truancy won’t be an issue because there are methods they use to be sure students are online.
“Do we have any idea how much it would cost for students to participate in this program?” asked Senator Romano (D-Harrison).
Dr. During responded they might get more funding because of the homeschooled children who would enroll in the program. He also explained the development of the program has to happen first before they find out how much it may cost.
The bill was laid over until Thursday as another committee had to meet but will be taken up again then.
