Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 23, 1995 TAG: 9510230147
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
School systems are raising their requirements for good academic standing, a state prerequisite for applying for a license.
Beginning this school year, Roanoke County students must have taken and passed five courses in the most recent grading period. In the past, county students were able to get a license if they passed three courses.
James Gallion, the county's assistant superintendent, said the change reflects the growing emphasis on academic standards.
"Everyone is looking at more rigorous standards, and we feel that a student should be making satisfactory progress toward a high school diploma in order to get a driver's license."
In Roanoke, Superintendent Wayne Harris has recommended that the school system also begin requiring students to have passed five courses in the previous semester to be in good academic standing.
Until now, Roanoke students have been eligible for a license if they passed four courses.
Bedford County also requires students to have passed five courses in the preceding grading period.
The Department of Motor Vehicles requires certification that students under 18 are in good academic standing before it will issue a license. The state Board of Education lets local school systems define good academic standing.
"It's up to the localities to decide what they want to require," said Margaret Roberts, public affairs director for the state Department of Education. "The board has not set any requirements."
About a third of the school systems in the state have no minimum requirement on courses or grades - only that students be enrolled with regular attendance to be classified as being in good academic standing, Roberts said.
A majority of the state's 134 school systems require students to pass five courses to get a license. Some require students to have passed four courses, she said.
Several school divisions also require students to have a C average in their courses, but that is the exception rather than the rule, Roberts said.
High schools with block scheduling, like those in Franklin County, have slightly different requirements. Franklin County requires students to have passed three of the four courses they are taking. It also requires students to have a 90 percent attendance rate.
Salem and Botetourt County have no academic requirements except that students must have passed a driver education course to apply for a license.
Salem requires that students have regular attendance. It will not issue a certificate for good standing to a student who misses 15 consecutive days.
Before school dropouts under 18 can get a license, they must receive counseling on the importance of school enrollment, attendance and high school graduation.
Dropouts have to contact the school they normally would attend to get a certification of counseling.
In Roanoke, Harris has recommended that the school system start requiring dropouts to attend three counseling sessions before it will issue a certificate so they can seek a driver's license. The sessions would be scheduled by the high school guidance coordinator.
But two School Board members said they don't think the school system should help dropouts get licenses.
"I don't believe that we have any business signing a certificate for anyone not enrolled in our schools," John Saunders said. "I don't think we ought to do that."
Board member Finn Pincus said he also is concerned about the school system approving a certificate for a youngster who is not enrolled in school.
Harris said he understands the board members' concern, but the state law does not allow the school system to require the youngsters to enroll in a graduate-equivalency program if they are not enrolled in school.
Harris said he will check with state education officials to determine the school system's options on youngsters who are not in school.
"I'm not sure that we can go beyond what the state law allows," he said, but he will consider changes in the counseling proposals.
by CNB