The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

February 11, 2008

Committee agrees on student driving conditions revision

Mannix Porterfield

CHARLESTON — Johnny might not need a “C” average to keep his driver’s license, but he’d best not play hooky too often and must be on his best behavior while in class.

In essence, that’s the thrust of a bill approved Monday by the full House Education Committee, reversing the direction of Gov. Joe Manchin’s original intention.

Manchin had wanted a bill that stipulated a “C” grade point average or a student would get his license suspended or be declared ineligible to get one.

Instead, the House panel endorsed a subcommittee rewrite so that a student merely has to be making “satisfactory progress,” a standard the state Board of Education would determine.

“They can’t just be showing up,” counsel David Moier told Delegate Rick Moye, D-Raleigh, when asked how “satisfactory progress” would be defined.

But the revised version would remove a student from behind the wheel for 10 unexcused absences within a semester, or an accumulation of 15 in a year, allowing those in the spring to be added to ones in the fall.

Students also would forfeit the driving privilege for assaults on students or employees, introducing weapons or drugs onto campus, or otherwise engaging in acts of misbehavior.

Panelists were advised that the driving privilege rules would apply to private schools as well as public.

As amended by Delegate Tim Ennis, D-Brooke, the proposed “satisfactory progress” rule wouldn’t consider a student’s GPA and the DMV wouldn’t play a role in maintaining attendance records.

Delegate Wood Ireland, R-Ritchie, pointed out the bill carries over existing language that outlaws corporal punishment and now looks to a suspension of driving privileges tied to classroom discipline.

“You can’t take someone out behind the woodshed and paddle them any more,” he observed.

The bill was revised in subcommittee, whose chairman, Delegate Larry Williams, D-Preston, feared Manchin’s approach would trigger a wave of dropouts, who could apply for a GED and still maintain a driver’s license.

Some lawmakers felt the “C” average was too high of a bar for some students, noting West Virginia law allows a diploma with a “D” average.

And others, such as Delegate Ralph Rodighiero, D-Logan, wondered how the revised version might adversely affect students who need a motor vehicle to get to and from school, or to an after-hours job.

Moier said a student with a hardship case can appeal in a hearing before the county superintendent.

— E-mail:

mannix@register-herald.com

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