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VA SB1262

VA SB1262
Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program; established, report, sunset date.


summary

Introduced
01/08/2025
In Committee
01/23/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/22/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Public schools; student discipline; Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program; established. Establishes the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program (the Program), to be administered by the Department of Education (the Department), for the purpose of addressing school discipline issues and promoting evidence-based restorative practices, as that term is defined in the bill, in public schools in the Commonwealth by awarding grants to an eligible school in each superintendent's region in the Commonwealth to be used in developing and implementing a comprehensive plan to integrate evidence-based restorative practices in such schools in accordance with the provisions of the bill. The bill directs the Department to (i) develop the application process by which a school board may apply on behalf of an eligible school, as defined in the bill, in the applicable school division to receive funds pursuant to the Program; (ii) establish criteria for the selection and award of grants pursuant to the Program; and (iii) develop a process for evaluating the progress and performance of each eligible school selected to receive a grant pursuant to the Program in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices and satisfying the Program requirements set forth in the bill. The bill requires any eligible school selected to receive funds pursuant to the Program, in collaboration with the applicable school board, to (a) establish a learning collaborative for the purpose of developing a comprehensive plan for implementing evidence-based restorative practices in such school in accordance with the provisions of the bill and (b) submit to the Department by July 1 of each year a report on the school's progress in implementing such evidence-based restorative practices for the preceding school year. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2027.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Restorative Schools in Virginia Pilot Program, a grant-based initiative aimed at addressing school discipline issues through evidence-based restorative practices in public schools. The program will provide grants to eligible school divisions (those with at least 40% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch or receiving Title I funding) in each superintendent's region. The Department of Education will develop an application process, select grant recipients, and create an evaluation framework that tracks metrics like suspension rates, academic performance, and student demographics. Selected school divisions must create a learning collaborative to develop a comprehensive plan for implementing restorative practices, which include conflict resolution, mediation, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care. The plan must promote whole-school models, integrate culturally responsive teaching, establish training protocols, and create standards for implementing these practices. Each participating school division must submit an annual report detailing their progress and the impact of these practices. The program is set to expire on July 1, 2027, providing a pilot period to assess the effectiveness of these alternative disciplinary and educational approaches.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Left in Finance and Appropriations (on 02/05/2025)

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