Legislation seeks to help students succeed

BY JESSICA PORTER • CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE • FEBRUARY 17, 2010

RICHMOND -- Gov. Bob McDonnell says charter schools, online educational programs and college partnerships can boost the performance of Virginia's public school students -- especially those at risk or in underperforming districts.

McDonnell and a bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a package of school reform legislation.

"All of the initiatives in 'The Opportunity to Learn'legislative package will help our young people,regardless of where they live, gain the opportunity to go wherever their talent, dreams and hard work will take them," said McDonnell, a Republican.

"That is a worthy goal, and one that all Virginians can come together to support."

Components of the package are being sponsored by Republican Delegates Richard Bell of Staunton,Scott Lingamfelter of Woodbridge and Christopher Peace of Mechanicsville; Democratic Delegates Rosalyn Dance of Petersburg and Jennifer McClellan of Richmond; and Sen. Stephen Newman, R-Forest.

"As public servants, we must always focus on the needs of Virginia's children first. This effort recognizes that while Virginia has a strong systemof public education, we can and must do better," said Dance, who is co-sponsoring the bill to expand the state's charter schools.

Under that measure, the state Board of Education would review all applications for new charter schools in Virginia before the local school board gets a chance to review them. Also, if an application is denied, the charter school applicants
would have the right to appeal.

McDonnell said that legislation would provide guidance and consistency to the charter school application process. Virginia has only four charter schools (with a fifth scheduled to open this year in Richmond); McDonnell hopes to increase that number.

Another bill aims to expand "virtual schools" and distance-learning programs. These schools adhere to the same standards as public schools; students are taught by Virginia-certified teachers and take the state's Standards of Learning tests.

"It is critical that we provide every tool possible for local school divisions, teachers, parents and students to access information, coursework and expertise regardless of where they live," said Newman, co-sponsor of that proposal.

"It is equally important that we ensure providers of online courses and web based learning are strong, committed partners with our local school systems."

The legislative package also calls for more partnerships between higher education and K-12 schools by expanding the usage of college laboratory schools. Such programs allow students to use resources at institutions of higher education not available in a K-12 school.

That bill is being carried by Peace and McClellan.

"Led by the best and brightest minds in our university system, college lab schools will offer opportunities for all children to succeed in education regardless of whether they need remedial help or want to specialize in science, technology, engineering and math," Peace said.

The legislative package was sparked by "Race to the Top," a federal program started by President Barack Obama in November. The program will reward an undetermined number of states with grants if they:

- Enhance standards and assessments

- Improve the collection and use of data

- Increase teacher effectiveness and achieve equity in teacher distribution

- Turn around struggling schools

Virginia is eligible to receive $150 million to $250 million in grants under the program.

"With the president's 'Race to the Top' program allocating federal grant monies to states that share the administration's commitment to educational innovation,Virginia can literally not afford to stick to the status quo," McDonnell said.

Read the whole story in the Eastern Shore News