July 14, 2021

CHARLESTON, W.Va.  – Revisions to the state’s charter schools policy and a Special Circumstance Review were among the agenda items addressed by the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) during its regular July meeting today in Charleston.

The WVBE adopted revisions to Policy 3300, the Charter Schools Policy, that were required to comply with updates passed by the West Virginia Legislature during the 2021 regular session. Among these changes include adding the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board as a potential authorizer, reclassifying charter schools as their own local education agency (LEA) and establishing requirements that would allow for the authorization of virtual charter schools, among others. For more information, visit http://apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=54268&Format=PDF.
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In other WVBE business, the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) Office of Support and Accountability reported on the Special Circumstance Review of Jefferson County’s high school counseling services conducted at the request of the county Board of Education. The purpose of the review was to obtain specific information regarding the efficiency and operation of the counseling programs at each of the county’s two high schools.

The WVDE team visited the county on June 1-3, 2021, for the onsite review. Four focus areas were addressed:
1 – Comprehensive School County Program (CSCP)
2 – Grading, Transcription and Scheduling
3 – Communication and Customer Service
4 – Central Office Support

The review resulted in several points of noncompliance including but not limited to:
– Inaccurate student Personalized Education Plans (PEPs)
– Advanced Placement teachers not completing necessary requirements to teach these classes
– Counselor availability causing delays in services to students
– The need for high-quality professional development for counselors

“Jefferson County Schools, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Bondy Gibson, is to be commended for requesting the Special Circumstance Review of the high school counseling services because this is such an important part of our student supports,” said State Superintendent of Schools W. Clayton Burch. “Our team will work with the county to ensure areas of noncompliance are properly addressed and students receive the level of counseling services they need.”

“We are offering more academic options for our students and this review will assist us moving forward to serve children and families,” said Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bondy Gibson. “We have great people here working very hard to do the right things for kids. I appreciate Superintendent Burch and his staff for helping us to make this happen.”

The WVBE approved the report and a six-month follow-up review. The full Jefferson County review is available here.

The next WVBE meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2021, in Charleston.

For more information, contact the West Virginia Department of Education Office of Communications at 304-558-2699 or by emailing communications.wvde@k12.wv.us.

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