Bill Text: VA HJR161 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Inclusive education practices pilot program; Division of Special Education of DOE to study.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-16 - Left in Rules [HJR161 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-HJR161-Prefiled.html
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16103961D WHEREAS, it is crucial to provide inclusive services to students with disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth; and WHEREAS, school divisions require increased capacity to provide such inclusive services; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Division of Special Education and Student Services of the Department of Education be requested to study the essential components of a comprehensive pilot program to implement training and policy development that promotes inclusive education practices for students with disabilities in public elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth. In conducting its study, the Division of Special Education and Student Services shall convene a study group that includes representatives from the Division of Special Education and Student Services, school divisions experienced with inclusive practices, universities engaged in research and development of best practices in special education, parents of students with disabilities, and special education advocacy organizations to (i) review current research on inclusive education practices and systems change to ensure that the pilot program includes evidence-based best practices for schoolwide and divisionwide change and (ii) develop a strategy for implementing the pilot program in at least two school divisions. Technical assistance shall be provided to the Division of Special Education and Student Services by each local school division in the Commonwealth. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Division of Special Education and Student Services for this study, upon request. The Division of Special Education and Student Services shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2016, and shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an executive summary and a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports no later than the first day of the 2017 Regular Session of the General Assembly and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website. |
