West Virginia lawmakers concluded their December interim meetings at the Capitol in Charleston on Tuesday. During the meetings, the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability received an annual report on harassment, intimidation, and bullying in schools. The report for the 2023-24 school year showed that out of 170,721 discipline referrals, 2% were for incidents of bullying. Data revealed that most incidents occurred at the middle school level and were often linked to other inappropriate behaviors.
During the meetings, teachers and principals shared disturbing stories of violent student behavior towards peers and staff. The incidents highlighted the challenges educators face in addressing disruptive and aggressive behavior in classrooms. Lawmakers expressed concern over the lack of specific information in reported incidents of bullying, making it difficult to identify key factors contributing to the problem.
Legislators discussed past and proposed bills related to student discipline, emphasizing the need for additional support for educators and resources to address behavior issues early on. Funding for alternative education centers, behavior interventionists, and additional staff such as social workers and counselors was identified as crucial in addressing the root causes of disruptive behavior.
The issue of substance abuse in the state was also raised, with lawmakers suggesting that funds from the West Virginia First Foundation, a private foundation distributing money from the opioid settlement, could be used to support initiatives addressing student discipline problems stemming from the drug crisis. Overall, the meetings underscored the urgent need to address student behavior issues in schools through a multifaceted approach involving policy changes, increased resources, and collaboration between schools, lawmakers, and community organizations.
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