§18-2-43. Addressing disciplinary action in West Virginia schools.

(a) The Department of Education shall analyze statewide data collected on school disciplinary action and, based on the findings of this data, develop a statewide program intended to address the number of disciplinary actions taken by school personnel and county school boards against students enrolled in grades K-12. This program will include information by subgroup, including, but not limited to, race, gender, and disability.

(b) County boards of education shall implement the program outlined in subsection (a) of this section with the ultimate goal of improving disciplinary outcomes.

(c) The Department of Education shall prepare a report on the findings of statewide disciplinary data and, in addition to these findings, provide a summary of the progress of the statewide program and individual county programs, evaluating the extent to which the programs have successfully led to making a positive impact in disciplinary actions in West Virginia school systems. The Department of Education shall present these findings to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability every two years starting in the year 2022.