The West Virginia Advisory Committee (Committee) to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) has been examining the civil rights impact that exclusionary and punitive school disciplinary policies, practices, and procedures may have on students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students in West Virginia public schools (K-12). Over the years, a number of articles, reports, and studies conducted by federal and state governments, researchers, scholars, and non-profit entities have found that school students of color, students with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ students experience disciplinary decisions and exclusions more often and harsher than their counterparts.

Since August 2021, the Committee has held several virtual briefings and heard testimony from national and state experts, as well as impacted individuals. The Committee will conduct a final virtual panel briefing to hear testimony from West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) officials and staff about disciplinary data, policies, practices, procedures, guidance, and training in West Virginia public schools. The Committee will submit a written report to the Commission about what was learned from this review, including findings and recommendations.

Panel Briefing

West Virginia Department of Education Officials and Staff

Friday, September 29, 2023

10:00 - 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Telephone Access (Audio Only):

1-833-435-1820

Meeting ID: 160 234 6859#

AGENDA

Meeting Announcement & Roll Call

Welcome

Virtual Panel Briefing

Invited Panelists

Michele L. Blatt, Superintendent, West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE)

Additional WVDE officials and speakers TBD

Closing Statement

Comments from Members of the Public

Adjourn

Committee Chair Lisa K. Younis said, “WV Advisory Committee members have conducted seven virtual briefings. Like the Commission, this Committee relies on the information provided by school discipline subject-matter experts. Committee members look forward to the data and information that will be shared by the WVDE.”

After the Chair announces that the panel briefing has concluded, she will invite members of the public, if any, to make brief oral statements on the topic, with each statement not exceeding five minutes. Closed captioning is available by selecting “CC” in the Zoom meeting platform. Individuals requiring additional accommodations should contact [email protected] at least 10 business days prior to this panel briefing. Additionally, members of the public are encouraged to submit written statements via email. Statements received within 30 days after the virtual briefing, i.e., October 27, 2023, will be included in the briefing record.

Kindly send the statement to [email protected], using the subject line: WV School Discipline.

For questions, please contact:

Sarah Villanueva, Support Specialist

[email protected]

(202) 769-2843