THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 21, 1995 TAG: 9502210301
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 129 lines
Parents could be hauled into court and fined up to $500 for failing to help schools discipline unruly children, as part of legislation that could become the most significant education initiative to emerge from this year's General Assembly session.
Holding parents accountable is one of four broad provisions in House Bill 2542.
The bill also is designed to ease disparities between rich and poor school systems by writing into law programs to help educate disadvantaged children and to help equip schools with technology.
One provision calls for reducing class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios for kindergarten through third grade in schools with a large number of poor kids. Another would funnel money to community groups or schools to run preschool programs for 4-year-olds who are most likely to, later, fail or drop out of school. These programs are for children not covered by any other preschool program.
Supporters say the bill lays out a road map for some of the state's highest educational priorities, but the legislation has no provision for financing them.
``It's far-reaching in its purpose - to really reach at-risk kids no matter where they are in Virginia,'' said Del. Marian Van Landingham, D-Alexandria, who proposed the bill. ``To the degree they succeed and become productive members of society, we're way ahead.''
A spokesman for Gov. George F. Allen said the governor ``is inclined to support'' the legislation but is withholding judgment until a bill is passed and in his hands.
``We agree with the general thrust of the legislation,'' Ken Stroupe, the spokesman said.
With this bill, the General Assembly is opting for programs with a proven track record, Van Landingham said, a reference to the chilly reception Allen's plans for reform received. The legislature killed Allen's signature plan for charter schools and turned back an effort to make sex education a local option that would have required parental permission for students to participate.
The bill should satisfy Allen's call for more parental involvement in the schools, supporters said.
Parents would be required to sign a contract pledging responsibility for their children's behavior. Failure to sign the contract could bring a fine of $50.
If parents of unruly children failed to help schools discipline them or maintain order, school boards could take them to court and seek fines of up to $500.
``This contractual relationship will really make something happen,'' Van Landingham said. ``You need to get parents to care, and this is going to force that, basically.''
State schools Superintendent William C. Bosher Jr. said a parent probably would be taken to court only in rare circumstances. The bill, Bosher said, gives schools a tool to use when there is ``an absolute impasse.''
``We're not talking about a disagreement,'' Bosher said. ``We're talking about parents who refuse to be involved in correcting the behavior of their children.''
Of the other provisions of the bill, Bosher said he was particularly excited about technology because the Senate has approved a separate $47 million appropriation to equip schools next year. The funding measure still must go to a House-Senate conference committee.
As part of an effort begun last year to address the disparity issue, the General Assembly allocated $103 million to help fund technology, reduce elementary class sizes and begin the preschool program for 4-year-olds.
But Allen vetoed an attempt to write those measures into law, which Van Landingham's bill would do, because localities were required to pitch in matching funds. Allen called the effort an unfunded mandate.
However, as a voluntary program, it proved wildly popular: 622 of the 624 eligible schools applied for the funds and anted up their share, Bosher said. As a result, he said, the Allen administration has dropped its opposition.
``The bill was vetoed last year because we had no history on how many schools would participate,'' Bosher said. ``That was a clear indication that where school divisions are convinced a program will work, they'll put in their share.''
Both the current proposals would require that localities chip in money, based on their ability to pay, to fund the technology and at-risk programs. The state money authorized last year was allocated only through 1996.
Money appropriated in the future would be offered as block grants, giving local school districts more freedom in spending it.
The House of Delegates earlier this month approved the bill on an 86-11 vote. The Senate Education and Health Committee passed an amended version Friday by a 12-1 vote, with one abstention. The full Senate is expected to vote on the bill today.
The biggest difference between the two chambers is that the House-passed bill earmarks state lottery funds for education.
Proponents of using lottery proceeds concede that it primarily would be a symbolic move because it would not increase the overall amount of money going to education. Opponents are wary of relying on a source of funds that fluctuates from year to year. ILLUSTRATION: House Bill 2542 also would set as priorities:
Reducing class size in kindergartens and grade schools with high
numbers of poor children.
Offering preschool education for at-risk 4-year-olds.
Expanding technology in the state's schools.
BILL HIGHLIGHTS
House Bill 2542, the Virginia Omnibus Educational Act of 1995,
would write into law four priorities in Virginia dealing with
parental responsibility, technology and disadvantaged students. The
bill, which supporters described as a road map for education for the
General Assembly to follow, calls on the state to sustain programs
that would:
Reduce the number of students and pupil-teacher ratios in
kindergarten through third-grade classes in schools with high or
moderate concentrations of poor children. It would be voluntary, and
localities would have to help pay the cost.
Provide funds to community groups or schools to offer preschool
education for at-risk 4-year-olds. It would be voluntary and would
require a local match.
Expand technology in the state's schools, including automated
library media centers, classroom computer systems and instructional
technology. School boards applying for the funds would have to
develop a technology plan approved by the state superintendent of
schools.
Require parents to sign a contract accepting responsibility for
working with the schools to ensure their children are well-behaved.
Parents who refuse to sign the statement could be taken to court by
the school board and fined up to $50. Parents who fail to help a
school deal with an unruly child could be taken to court and fined
up to $500.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY EDUCATION by CNB