W. Va. Code R. § 126-42-2

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 126-42-2 - Purpose

2.1. The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) is committed to establishing rigorous academic standards and providing high quality programs in West Virginia's public schools. The WVBE and West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) collaborate with parents, educators, communities, business and industry, and higher education to fulfill this commitment. Counties, the schools, communities, students, and families of students shall cooperate to establish high expectations for student performance and become actively involved in the education process, thereby enabling students to succeed in the classroom and the workplace, lead healthy, rewarding, and productive lives, and participate responsibly in society.

2.2. The education program offered in West Virginia schools is defined in broad terms as all of the education activities that take place during the instructional day and the school year. The education program provides opportunities for students to achieve high levels of learning in programs of study through approved content standards that prepare students to be lifelong learners and successful citizens in a competitive global society. The education program is based upon information provided through research relevant to best practices and promising next practices in teaching and learning. The education program is structured and based on three programmatic levels: Early and Elementary Learning (Pre-K-Grade 5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). Each county shall establish policies and implement written procedures to define its education program in accordance with the definitions and requirements that follow.

2.3. Each county education program shall provide the necessary resources, including technology, to ensure that all students have the opportunity to attain high standards of performance. Beginning at the early levels, students will achieve proficiency in the basic skills of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, learning skills, and the use of technology tools. Achievement of these skills will provide the foundation for later intellectual challenges in all programs of study. Students will explore their interests and abilities and engage in relevant activities to help them understand the world of work. Along with other instructional materials, technology will be a tool to help achieve these standards in all schools. The WVBE anticipates the provision of sufficient resources and support for educators, including in-person and/or online professional learning opportunities, appropriate instructional resources, and reliable assessment measures, to realize the goal of producing students who are college- and career-ready as defined by the WVBE.

2.4. West Virginia content standards-focused curricula pursuant to this policy are developed and approved at the local level, to ensure teaching methods and instructional design are utilized to assist students in achieving high levels of performance across all applicable adopted and approved content standards. Appropriate accountability measures guide educators to help students achieve high levels of performance.

W. Va. Code R. § 126-42-2