INTERPRETATION
 
Interpretation's Date: September 7, 2010
by superintendent Dr. Steven L. Paine
Section: IV. Students
 
Interpretation

September 7, 2010

Mrs. Vicki S. Hinerman, Superintendent Summers County Schools
116 Main Street
Hinton WV 25951

Dear Mrs. Hinerman:

You have requested a clarification to West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) Policy 2510: Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs. Your question is "do we (Summers County), as is stated on page 20 (Policy 2510), tell students that the only exception to being enrolled in high school for a full day is if they are enrolled in college, or do we write a policy which allows them to be enrolled for less time?"

Section 5.6.2. Grade 9-12 Attendance of WVBE Policy 2510 states:

The following rules shall govern student attendance in grades 9-12.

a. Attendance for the full school day for all four years during grades 9-12 is important so that students obtain the full benefit from the educational programs offered in the schools of West Virginia. Therefore, all students shall be scheduled in the defined high school curriculum, college courses, career/technical programs or virtual school courses for the full instructional day for all four years.

B. County boards of education shall develop and implement a policy which shall be approved by the WVBE that defines the compelling circumstances under which students may attend school for fewer than four full years and/or may be scheduled for courses for less than the full instructional day. A local board of education policy must be developed should Summers County Schools determine they wish to define the compelling circumstances under which students could attend school for less than the full instructional day. Once the local policy is developed and approved by your local board of education, it must then be submitted to the WVBE for approval. The request for approval, along with a copy of your local policy, may be submitted to Betty Jo Jordan electronically at bjjordan@access.k12.wv. Upon receipt of the request, it will be placed on a future WVBE meeting agenda for action and you would be notified of the WVBE's decision. I am hoping this letter has adequately addressed your question. Sincerely,

/s/
Steven L. Paine
State Superintendent of Schools

SLP:BJJ/gkb


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