Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 16, 1995                   TAG: 9511160042
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

QUITTERS CAN BE DRIVERS

In a legal opinion requested by Superintendent Wayne Harris, William Parsons said this week that the school system has no choice in the matter.

Parsons said state law provides that dropouts under 18 are eligible for licenses if they have received counseling on the value of schooling.

If the General Assembly had intended to prevent dropouts from obtaining licenses, he said, it could have omitted the reference to counseling and required that a minor be in compliance with the compulsory school attendance requirements before a driver's license would be issued.

Parsons said localities do not have the authority to impose requirements more stringent than those mandated by the legislature.

But the board, after getting Parsons' opinion, decided to ask the legislature to change the law so school divisions can prevent dropouts from getting licenses.

"I am frustrated that we can't use this enormous leverage over children" to persuade them to return to school, said board member John Saunders.

Chairman Nelson Harris said he shared Saunders' frustration, but that the board can't violate state law.

Richard Kelley, assistant superintendent for operations, said the board could include a request for a change in the law in its legislative package for the General Assembly.

Until now, dropouts have been required to attend only one counseling session. Under the plan proposed by Harris and approved by the board, dropouts will have to attend three counseling sessions scheduled by the guidance coordinator at the high schools they would normally attend.

The state Department of Education requires school systems to verify that students are in good academic standing as a prerequisite for applying for a license.

Until now, Roanoke students have been eligible for a license if they passed four courses. But the city now will begin requiring students to have passed five courses in the previous semester to be in good standing.

Roanoke County also has begun requiring students to pass five courses. Bedford County students also must pass five courses to get a license.

About a third of the state's 134 school systems have no minimum requirements on courses or grades - only that students be enrolled with regular attendance