Sarah Stewart, director of policy and government relations in the state superintendent’s office, said the purpose of the discussion is to evaluate the state’s K-12 academic standards, which were phased in from 2011 to 2014. The standards serve as benchmarks for what students in West Virginia should know at the end of each grade level.
“We are looking for actionable feedback on specific standards in English language arts and math,” Stewart said. She added that in addition to attending the Sept. 3 meeting, citizens can access www.wvacademicspotlight.statestandards.org on the Web to get more information and provide comments. Comments will be received through the website until Sept. 30. Comments received will serve as a basis for recommendations that will be made to the Board of Education at the end of the calendar year.
According to the West Virginia Department of Education, the Next Generation Standards are a set of high expectations in English language arts and mathematics that were developed by state leaders and teachers to ensure every student graduates from high school prepared for college and the 21st century world of work. Educational standards that set high, clear and consistent expectations, like the West Virginia Next Generation Standards, are essential to creating an education system that prepares our young people for success in school, work and life.
Additional community meetings are scheduled throughout September in Morgantown, South Charleston, Logan, Wheeling and Shepherdstown.