Connecticut House Bill HB06615

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/15
• Refer: 1/28/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Alternative Educational Opportunities For Expelled Students.

Impact

If enacted, HB 06615 would amend subsection (d) of section 10-233d of the general statutes, compelling local education authorities to develop and maintain alternatives that ensure a minimum of fifteen hours of actual school work per week for expelled students. This provision reflects a broader commitment to educational equity and the right to education, seeking to minimize academic setbacks that often accompany expulsion. The requirement for informative outreach to the families also illustrates an effort to involve parents in the educational process, which could help in providing continuity of education during challenging periods for students.

Summary

House Bill 06615, titled 'An Act Concerning Alternative Educational Opportunities For Expelled Students,' seeks to provide structured educational options for students under eighteen years of age who have been expelled from school. The bill mandates that these students must receive access to alternative educational opportunities during their period of expulsion, ensuring that their education continues despite their exclusion from mainstream schooling. Specifically, the legislation emphasizes the need for local or regional boards of education to inform parents or guardians about available alternatives for their expelled children, which is intended to facilitate communication and support for affected families.

Contention

The potential implementation of HB 06615 could spur discussion about the adequacy and effectiveness of alternative educational programs, as well as the resources required by school boards to fulfill these obligations. Critics might argue about the financial implications of expanding educational services to include expelled students and whether such measures could unintentionally normalize behaviors leading to expulsion, while proponents would assert that providing education is an essential right that can help mitigate the negative consequences of expulsion, such as increased dropout rates and negative long-term educational and social impacts.