State Takes Keys: Bad Grades, No License
By IAN HICKS Staff WriterWHEELING - Parents of Mountain State students who fail to make the grade this year won't have to take away the car keys. The state will do that for them.
Last fall, the West Virginia Legislature amended a 20-year-old law requiring school districts to report students with poor attendance or who withdrew to the Division of Motor Vehicles. The DMV now can revoke a student's license for poor grades, too.
Some counties implemented the policy last year, while others have waited until this school year to begin the process.
Ohio County is one of those districts which just this year will begin reporting students for poor academics. Superintendent George Krelis said Attendance Director Jeffrey Laird works closely with Kim Miller, director of student services, to monitor attendance - and now, grades.
"The privilege of operating a motor vehicle falls directly on the student," said Laird.
Krelis said he's a fan of the policy.
"We will comply with the law," he said. "It's a good thing ... hopefully, it will work."
Krelis noted there is no specific grade point average requirement for pupils to keep their drivers' licenses, but the law states they must make "adequate academic progress." Laird said that means a student must earn five credits per year, three of which must be core classes like reading, math, science and social studies.
Students carrying a full schedule and passing all their courses would earn eight credits in one year. According to Laird, officials considered requiring schools to report any student with a GPA under 2.0, but that was not approved.
Under the existing policy based on attendance, which remains in effect, students who miss 11 consecutive days unexcused, or who incur a total of 15 unexcused absences over the course of the year, can have their license revoked. Laird said he sent 51 letters to the DMV during the 2008-09 school year. He noted exceptions may be made for those students enrolled in a GED program, who have serious medical problems or other "extenuating circumstances."
Laird said a student's license can be revoked for either a semester or a year, depending on how long it takes that student to show sufficient progress.
Krelis believes the attendance policy already has a "dual effect" on students simply getting them into the classroom improves performance, he said, and he hopes directly tying grades to driving privileges will have a positive impact as well.
Brooke County also is implementing the grade policy for the first time this year, according to Superintendent Mary K. DeGarmo. She said that, like with any new procedure, there are some "kinks" to work out. Ultimately, however, she thinks it will be a motivating factor for children and their parents.
"It brings to their attention that this is for real," she said. "They need to come to school and maintain their averages."
DeGarmo said students can request a hearing if they feel their license was revoked in error due to a grade miscalculation. She said under the attendance policy, students have had their licenses reinstated after producing papers proving their absences were medically-related.
Marshall and Wetzel counties each began to comply with the law by the end of the 2008-09 school year. Officials in both districts said students last year lost their licenses due to grades, but couldn't say exactly how many.
Marilyn Dague, attendance director for Marshall County Schools, said there wasn't a dramatic increase in license revocations under the new policy. She said in some instances, the policy challenges kids to do better in school, but punishes others who struggle academically. However, Dague doesn't feel the requirements are overly stringent.
"I think most students can meet that criteria," she said. "If you have a 'D' average, that's passing." Dague noted the policy is much more lenient than that set down by the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission, which requires students maintain a 2.0 average to play sports.
Sue Villers, who handles the program for Wetzel County Schools, said she feels the policy is necessary because there are too many students with poor grades and attendance records. Villers noted in West Virginia, students who commit a Level 4 offense those which would constitute a felony if the student were an adult also have their licenses taken away.
"It makes kids more accountable on their behavior as well as academics," she said. "Driving's a privilege and privileges you kind of have to earn.
"Our goal is to educate," Villers continued. "Anything that improves grades, attendance and behavior is worth it."
While the new policy may not affect all students because some high schoolers are not yet old enough to drive, Villers said it affects enough to make the program effective. She said Wetzel County has 950 secondary students, most of whom will eventually get their learner's permit and driver's license.
As for whether the policy will achieve its ultimate goal of boosting students' grades, Villers said, "I hope so. Too soon to tell yet."
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JamesT
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10-19-09 7:45 PM
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Great!! Now the NAACP and ACLU will be suing the State!
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MeanStreak
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10-19-09 7:45 AM
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as someone that HATES government intrusion I hav e to agree with this law toa point. Sad thing is they canot get it passed if the student makes then a 2.0GPA In our fine school system that means do most of your homework and pass a few tests maybe. THIS TEACHES RESPONSIBILITY!!!! Something parents lack the motivation to do these days. You naysayers that say this is far to much of an intrution or making a bigger government, I have to say how? A computer talles and records/correlates the data (no increase to government). The school system is a government program, along with the driver license system. Seems to me the state is just regulating what they already control.
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wvhoopie
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10-19-09 7:30 AM
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walksabout, your post says it all about the Ohio Valley. Any questions?
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walksabout
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10-19-09 2:52 AM
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first spouse wanted to drive. wanted a car too. set her straight. told her. you cmae a long way baby. you can roar. get out and get yourown money to pay your own way. you got equal now. you ain't wasting my hard earned pay check on make up, purses, shoes, dumb stuff I can't hunt or fish with. she left. I don't have to share anymore. life is good.
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walksabout
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10-19-09 2:46 AM
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why waste mom and dad's money on school. our daughter graduated " On Line " she has numerous for real Masters working for her. their brains, her business, her profits.
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walksabout
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10-19-09 2:43 AM
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I rethought this issue and have concluded I have the only rationalresponse. Bad grades, good grades, so what. The issue is driving. No youth under age 21 should be permitted to operate a motor vehicle unless they can show proof they ( not mommy or daddy ) paid the insurance.. BTW, the definition of the American dream has changed. It isn't home ownership or home repo. It is when the kids get out of the house and stop mooching.
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beautifulohio
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10-19-09 1:03 AM
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This isn't the America I know, I don't like and I feel if this sort of thing isn't stopped know one will recognize this country. This is just another intrusion of government into our lives. This has always been the right of parents, and yes there are those parents who lack good judgement or any judgement at all, but you allow things like this and I am telling you as sure as the sun rises, so will more and more government in your lives. Next you won't be able to marry if you don't have good school attendance. Wake up America what the f##k.
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HercX007
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10-18-09 11:55 PM
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I think this is great! Its about time too! Too much whining on here about rights. Well BOOHOO! Grow up and get an education before you deserve the luxury of a driver's license!
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TruthinPolitics
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10-18-09 11:11 PM
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It's not right to continue to invade the personal rights underage people, just because we can. Punishment is not always the appropriate form of encouragement. It would also be wrong to deny college kids the right to an absentee ballot. Seniors use the absentee ballot all the time. Newsflash, All seniors are not informed voters.
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EllisWyatt
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10-18-09 8:17 PM
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Strange that government can take your driver's license for being stupid yet they still let you vote? Seems to me that voting rights should be taken away from morons, illegals and welfare bums and that there should be a nationwide database so that thousands of college kids cannot vote at their school AND by absentee ballot.
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skunky
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10-18-09 6:52 PM
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Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, and Ditto, This is just plain wrong.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-18-09 3:22 PM
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Does WV have any other restrictions on young drivers? In Cali we have a few simple laws which help: 1.First 6 months cannot drive after 10:00 PM except for a job or school activity. 2.Cannot have passengers under 25 without 1 year driving experience. 3.DUI—lose license until 18. 4.Other offenses: go on probation until 18. Enforcement is just via police on routine traffic stops. No increase in government required.
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scorpy01
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10-18-09 12:27 PM
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Just great. Yet another instance of the state assuming my parenting responsibilities. The arrogance of our government and school officials is appalling. How dare you deem yourselves better equipped than I to make decisions about my children. You require kids to attend school; you fail to teach those kids adequately; you blame the parents for your own failure; you take advantage of the "dumb" kids you created by brainwashing them into believing that government knows best; these "dumbed down" students are then quite willing to give you (government) even more power over the lives of the people which then creates even dumber citizens. Nice job.
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examiner
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10-18-09 11:18 AM
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formerohiovalley resident, you are right on the spelling of my words. I need to learn to be more careful. The only excuse I can give you on that is I was half asleep, and these letters are so small it is tough on an older person. I promise to be more careful on my spelling. Sorry, but at least I hope anyway I got my point out. You calling me out certainly has not offended me it has made me more aware if I am going to comment, I should be able to make sure my words are spelled correctly.
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Gramps
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10-18-09 11:08 AM
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This is just wrong on so many levels. What does the ability to drive a car have to do with a kids grades. Why does the state or federal government have the right to stick it's nose into these kids lives. Is this just another way of creating more gov. jobs for cronies. When are we going to wake up and put a stop th this kind of crap.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-18-09 11:08 AM
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Nancy, if you take your medications daily, perhaps you would be able to form a coherent thought or actually make an intelligent comment that is your own. PS: Jack Daniels doesn’t count as “medication”.
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NancySI
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10-18-09 8:59 AM
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Former, for someone who doesn't post any facts or add to any intelligent debate in any of your own postings, I wouldn't be criticizing others writing. Your head exploded a long time ago, as evident in every post and reach around you give to your fellow wackos. There is more thought in Examiners posting than any I have wasted the time to read of yours. You may start your BS and name calling. Ive got better things to do today than to read your self grandiosity posts and shouts "muslim, communist, socialist" in every post. Have a great day.
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nosmart
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10-18-09 8:25 AM
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hold moma and poppa responsible, and tuitor them with the darlings. a good after school progect.
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nosmart
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10-18-09 8:16 AM
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ifin you disagree blame the spelling the grammer. this is not a school class
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Wondering
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10-18-09 7:10 AM
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It is an outrage when lazy, irresponsible underachieving school-age children are denied driving privileges. How else are they going to get around to party with their buddies? That's okay, baby - mommy and daddy will make it all better somehow. The only reason you are failing is because the teacher doesn't like you.
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walksabout
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10-18-09 2:45 AM
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no.grades and knowledge have so little to do with being gainfully employed or having a career. It is about knowing the person doing the hiring. Oh yes it is. You have no business inquiring of a high school students school records than you do inquiring of obama's school records. can anybody spell double standard. These kids today are dumb even if they all graduated sume cume ludie and smilevitorian with a solid gold inploma. unplug what ever they need to function and you have a dumbed down stooge wandering in life's great hallways.
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-18-09 1:30 AM
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Examiner, I hate to be picky, but you misspelled “learners” (twice), “advised”, “reinstate”, “occurred”, and there are a half dozen grammatical errors in your post. The goal is to “educate”? Yeah, a big 10-4 on that, Bubba!
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formerohvalleyresident
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10-18-09 1:18 AM
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Huh? Another classic example of increasing the size and cost of government. How many extra people does it require to input the grades and attendance data then correlate with driver’s license numbers and addresses, mailing out letters, etc? And note there is a “reinstatement fee” = another TAX! OK, Heather has a 4.0 GPA but she got swine flu so SCORE! Reinstatement fee! "Our goal is to educate," Villers continued. But “D” is passing? LIAR! Your goal is to increase the size of government and to increase tax revenue! The “GOAL” should be to get SAFER teen drivers on the road. Most other states are looking at much simpler and more cost effective method of doing this: just increase the minimum driving age to 17. Studies show there is a significant decrease in accidents as the age goes up. Of course that doesn’t require extra people or “fees”. It is of little consolation that you just got killed by a kid with a 3.5!
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examiner
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10-18-09 12:40 AM
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Yes, I am former Driver's License Examiner, and when our State implemented the Provisional Learmer's permit, that also was one of the provisions as well. When we started it, I really did not think that these young kids thought the State was serious, they found out, once grades went out. Parents received letters and asvised of the action being taken. I as an examiner questioned these kids when they had to come back and re-instate their privlege if they truly believed this was going to happen. Half of them said they did not. In our state you must bring in an eligibilty certificate from the school and also pay a re-instatement fee to the State, also it keeps you longer in the level you were in when this occured. This is great and I am glad to see it. The graduating Learmer's permit and getting a full privilege to drive is the best thing for all of these young drivers. If the student thinks they can intercept the letter and no one will know they will know once they visit the DMV.
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