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State Group Suggests More Local Control in School Discipline
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – A group reviewing student behavior in West Virginia public schools has recommended giving local officials more flexibility over disciplinary policies.
News outlets report the group formed at state Education Board President Dave Perry’s request had their first meeting Tuesday and discussed changes for disciplining students.
Drew McClanahan, assistant director of the state Education Department’s Leadership and System Support Office, says the recommendation is to allow county school boards, principals and other leaders to decide what constitutes different levels of student misbehavior.
State Education Board policy outlines several levels of offenses and provides disciplinary options for specific actions, like suspensions. McClanahan says an example is cheating has always been Level 1, while nicotine possession is Level 3.
If the state Education Board approves, the revision would separate specific discipline methods from the levels.