AGENDA

WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION

Capitol Building 6, Suite 600

1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East

Charleston, West Virginia

February 14, 2024 - 9:00 a.m.

 

 

I.

Welcome - Pledge of Allegiance - Introductions - Call to Order

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty, President

 

 

 

II.

Approval of Agenda - (Action)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

   

 

III.

Recognition(s)

 

 

 

 

IV.

Delegation(s)

 

 

 

 

V.

School Safety - (Information)

 

 

 

Jonah Adkins

 

 

 

 

VI.

County Technical Assistance Updates - (Information)

 

 

 

Jeffrey Kelley

 

 

 

 

VII.

Consent Agenda - (Action)

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Approval of Minutes - (Action)

Attachment A

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the minutes of the January 10, 2024, meeting of the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

Routine Business                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage - (Action)

Attachment B

 

 

 

 

Lara Bissett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3, Calhoun, Greenbrier, McDowell, Nicholas, Taylor, and Wirt Counties and the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition have submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                          

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Employment of Substitute Teachers in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage policies for Calhoun, Greenbrier, McDowell, Nicholas, Taylor, and Wirt Counties and the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.

Employment of Retired Bus Operators as Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage - (Action)

Attachment C

 

 

 

 

Lara Bissett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-4-15a, Lincoln, Mason, McDowell, Mineral, Raleigh, and Wirt Counties have submitted a policy for the WVBE’s approval.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Employment of Retired Bus Operators as Substitutes in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage policy for Lincoln, Mason, McDowell, Mineral, Raleigh, and Wirt Counties be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Employment of Substitute Teachers and Bus Operators in Areas of Critical Need and Shortage Affidavits - (Action)

 

 

 

 

 

Lara Bissett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A-2-3(c)(2)(G) and §18A-4-15a(b)(2)(F), affidavits from counties must be received and approved by the WVBE for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WVDE legal counsel has reviewed and recommends that the following affidavits be received and approved for submission to the Consolidated Public Retirement Board:  1) substitute teacher affidavits from Barbour (three), Braxton (two), Calhoun (four), Clay (four), Fayette (11), Harrison (21), Jackson (three), Mineral (seven), Pleasants (one), Preston (six), and Ritchie (four) Counties; and 2) substitute bus operator affidavits from Fayette County (two).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Waiver of Policy 2444.4, Issuance of the State of West Virginia High School Equivalency Diploma and Option Pathway, Section 3.1, for Mountaineer Job Challenge Program - (Action)

Attachment D

 

 

 

 

Mendy Marshall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mountaineer Job Challenge Program (MJCP) has requested a waiver of Policy 2444.4, section 3.1., which requires all applicants (students) to pass an approved practice test with the minimum score as determined by the WVDE.  This waiver is requested for the remainder of school year 2023-2024, with the understanding that these students may take the practice test, but not be required to pass the practice test.  The proposed waiver would ensure all students attending the MJCP who have not passed the high school equivalency assessment (HSEA) prior to program enrollment (those who pass the practice test and those who do not pass the practice test) will have an opportunity to take and pass the actual HSEA.  This exemption is planned to be included in proposed policy amendments which are scheduled to be presented to the WVBE for consideration at a future (2024) meeting.  At the end of school year 2023-2024, the WVDE will be provided data for review from the MJCP; MJCP will determine if additional waiver requests are necessary.  If this waiver is approved by the WVBE, and proposed changes to Policy 2444.4 are subsequentially approved, waivers will no longer be required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the waiver of Policy 2444.4, section 3.1, for the MJCP be approved and remain in effect for the remainder of school year 2023-2024. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

Ohio County Board of Education 2020-2030 Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP) - (Action)

Attachment E

 

 

 

 

Micah Whitlow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy 6200 requires all local boards of education to submit amendments to CEFPs to the WVBE and the School Building Authority of West Virginia (SBA) for approval. 

 

The Ohio County Board of Education requests approval to programmatically divide Warwood School (PreK-8) into Warwood Elementary School (PreK-5) and Warwood Middle School (6-8). The Warwood School facility is currently configured to operate under this arrangement, and all students will remain at this physical location. The proposed change is planned to go into effect with the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the Ohio County Board of Education's request to amend their 2020-2030 CEFP be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

Glenville State University's Addition of a Clinical Teacher of Record (CTR) Program with Ritchie County and Marshall University’s Addition of a Clinical Teacher of Record (CTR) Program with Summers County - (Action)

Attachment F-1

Attachment F-2

 

 

 

 

Traci Tuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In December 2023, the West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board (EPPRB) members agreed on a recommendation of approval to the WVBE of Glenville State University's addition of a CTR Program with Ritchie County and Marshall University’s addition of a CTR Program with Summers County.

 

Policy 5100 provides guidelines and procedures for the approval of new and continuing educator preparation programs of study leading to licensure in West Virginia and also for CTR Agreements with West Virginia school districts. Policy 5100 supports the intended collaborative process to improve educator preparation programs and potential educators by incorporating program guidelines based on research and best practices. Support of continuous improvement and clear and consistent guidelines to West Virginia educator preparation programs will produce more effective educators in West Virginia schools, resulting in increased student learning in the classroom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the WVBE accept the EPPRB's recommendation of approval of:  1)  Glenville State University's addition of a CTR Program with Ritchie County; and 2) Marshall University’s addition of a CTR Program with Summers County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.

Application for the Approval of MathTrack to provide a Teacher Certification Program Pursuant to W. Va. Code §18A32a(a)(1)(C) -   (Action)

Attachment G

 

 

 

 

Traci Tuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MathTrack is seeking WVBE approval to provide a teacher certification program consisting of coursework substantially aligned to the InTASC standards as adequately pursuant to meeting requirements of W. Va. Code §18A32a(a)(1)(C).  Upon approval, MathTrack will recommend candidates for initial licensure with the endorsement of mathematics 5-Adult. Program completers must meet requirements of W. Va. Code and WVBE policies by submitting qualifying documentation including verification of program completion, official transcript(s), test scores or exemptions found in the West Virginia Licensure Testing Directory and passing necessary background checks.  The goal of this program is to assist West Virginia in meeting critical needs by filling classrooms with qualified teachers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the application for MathTrack to provide a teacher certification program consisting of coursework substantially aligned to the InTASC standards be approved as adequate pursuant to meeting requirements of W. Va. Code §18A32a(a)(1)(C).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Addition to the State Agreement with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Programs (CAEP) of West Virginia Content Area Program Approval (WVCAPA) as an Option for State-level Recognition of Content Programs - (Action)

Attachment H

 

 

 

 

Traci Tuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The WVCAPA process was piloted in summer 2023. WVCAPA is the state‑specific review process used for approval of individual content area programs (e.g., Biology). Each education preparation provider (EPP) will be required to complete this process moving forward prior to other regional or national accreditation processes unless they choose to participate in specialized professional associations. The review process is research-backed and encourages cooperation among EPPs, counties, and the WVDE. After the review, each program receives one of three determinations: Fully Approved, Provisionally Approved, or Probation. The pilot phase collected reliability and validity evidence to support the operational implementation of the system and included on-going and overall inter-rater reliability checks. Pilot results were shared with the participating university (i.e., Wheeling University) and stakeholder feedback has been used to add clarity to the submission and scoring processes. If the WVBE accepts the WVCAPA as a reliable and valid content review process, an amended state agreement with the CAEP is required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the WVBE accept the WVCAPA to be added as a state-level option for approval of individual content area programs and reflected in the amended CAEP state partnership agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

West Virginia Educator Preparation Program Review Board's (EPPRB) Recommendation for a Program of Support for Those Institutions Receiving Full Approval Through the WVCAPA Process (Wheeling University) - (Action)

Attachment I

 

 

 

 

Traci Tuttle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The EPPRB voted to fully recognize Wheeling University's Elementary Education, English, General Science, Mathematics, Multi-categorical Special Education excluding Autism, and Social Studies content programs as designated in the WVCAPA process. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the EPPRB's recommendation to fully recognize Wheeling University's Elementary Education, English, General Science, Mathematics, Multi-categorical Special Education excluding Autism, and Social Studies content programs for seven years as designated in the WVCAPA process be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

West Virginia Universal Pre-K 2022 Annual Report - (Information)

Attachment J

 

 

 

 

Janet Bock-Hager

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The West Virginia Universal Pre-K 2022 Annual Report provides  information regarding implementation of the state's Pre-K program for the 2021- 2022 school year. The report includes an overview of pre-k enrollment, participation, collaboration trends for the state and local programs, and program review summary for counties reviewed during the 2021-2022 school year. West Virginia's national rankings regarding pre-k implementation from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) are also included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.

County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee Recommendation of Additional Training:  Personnel Realignment (Four Total Hours) - (Action)

Attachment K

 

 

 

 

James G. Brown, Executive Director, West Virginia School Board Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On January 30, 2024, the West Virginia Board of Education/West Virginia School Board Association County Board Member Training Standards Review Committee (TSRC) voted to recommend an additional training, personnel realignment (four total hours), scheduled for Friday, March 15, 2024, for the WVBE’s consideration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended that the personnel realignment training session (four total hours) scheduled for March 15, 2024, for county board members, as recommended by the TSRC, be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.

West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Monthly Update - (Information)

Attachment L

 

 

 

 

Clayton Burch, Superintendent, West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

 

 

 

 

 

 

VIII.

New Business

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Release of Conditional Language in Deed of Former West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (WVSDB) Property - (Action)

Attachment M-1

Attachment M-2

 

 

 

Kelli Talbott

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hampshire County Commission seeks a Release of conditional language in a 1956 Deed in which WVSDB property was conveyed to the Commission for the construction of a hospital in the Town of Romney.  The 1956 Deed specified that the property in question could only be used for the purpose of a hospital.  Because the property is no longer being used for a hospital and the County Commission seeks to deed the property to the Hampshire County Board of Education (HCBE) for the construction of a new consolidated elementary school, the County Commission and the HCBE have requested that the WVBE release the conditional language in the deed so that the property may be deeded to the HCBE for the purpose of the construction of the new school.  A copy of the 1956 Deed and a copy of the proposed Release of Conditional Language are found in the attachments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested that the Release of Conditional Language be approved and that authority be granted to the President of the WVBE to execute the Release on behalf of the WVBE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

Waiver of Policy 2340, West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress, Section 4.8.a., for Virtual Charter Public Schools - (Action)

Attachment Mc

 

 

 

Vaughn G. Rhudy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The WVDE has determined students attending virtual charter public schools should be allowed to take the West Virginia General Summative Assessment in Grades 3‑8 remotely using the Cambium Assessment Remote Testing/Proctoring tool as long as the school, proctors, parents, and students agree to all state requirements and sign the required agreement forms. This waiver does not apply to the West Virginia Alternate Summative Assessment (DLM), ELPA-21, or the SAT School Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve a statewide waiver of Policy 2340, section 4.8.a., for virtual charter public schools to allow students to test remotely for the West Virginia General Summative Assessment in Grades 3-8 in the subjects of English language arts, mathematics, and science beginning in Spring 2024 and that this waiver remain in effect until Policy 2340 is revised.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

WVBE and WVDE Personnel Matters - (Action)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WVBE personnel and/or legal matters may involve an Executive Session as provided in W. Va. Code §6-9A-4(b)(2)(A) [personnel exception] and/or §6-9A-4 [matters involving attorney‑client privilege per Peters v. County Commission, 205   W. Va. 481 (1999)].  The Board majority must vote to have an Executive Session.  (No action will be taken in Executive Session.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve the WVBE personnel matters found in the attachment.

Attachment N

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is recommended and a motion is requested to approve the WVDE personnel matters found in the attachment.

Attachment O

 

 

 

IX.

WVDE Reports - (Information)

 

 

 

Data Science and Personal Finance Course Updates

Attachment P

 

 

Exemplary Practice Schools

 

 

 

 

 

X.

WVBE Member Updates and Requests for Information - (Information)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

XI.

Future Meetings - (Information)

 

 

 

L. Paul Hardesty

 

 

 

 

The next regular meeting of the WVBE will be held March 13, 2024, in Charleston, West Virginia.

 

 

 

XII.

Adjournment - (Action)