KINGWOOD — A proposed state education policy revision would change the way county schools are evaluated.
“Basically, under Policy 2322, the state is going back to seven standards for effective schools,” Preston Schools Superintendent Steve Wotring said.
The seven standards are: Clear and focused mission, instructional leadership, high expectations for success, positive and safe environment, equitable opportunities to learn and effective instruction, frequent monitoring of student progress and family and community partnerships.
“Those seven things are how we are required to evaluate all of our schools within our system, under this new policy, if it takes effect, which I believe it will,” Wotring told the board of education.
The policy doesn’t call for any changes in the way students are tested.
“Then you look at academic achievement, how many kids are proficient, what percentage of kids. Then you look at the academic progress, which is how much did a child grow from this year to the next year,” Wotring said.
In order for the county to get credit by the state for academic progress, students must grow one or more performance levels.
Under student success indicators, the state will consider attendance, behavior and student success. The latter includes whether students are on track to graduate and how many are college ready.
And high school graduation rates will be considered.
“I can tell you that for the first time — I don’t know if it’s ever or not — but the first time since I’ve been onboard, our graduation rate at the high school is now exceeding 90%. That’s another step in the right direction for Preston High,” Wotring said.
If one or more indicators for student academic achievement and success are not met, the county is put “on-watch.”
If improvement is not shown for two consecutive years, the county is at “support identification.” After a third consecutive year, intensive support is ordered. Non-compliance can lead all the way to state takeover.
The board, county staff and schools all have responsibilities under the policy. One new thing, Wotring said, is that a county superintendent may remove a principal from a low-performing school.
“And that has not been the case in the past,” Wotring said.
No Preston schools are currently listed as low-performing.
The board has to set goals, assess its own performance annually and make a summary of the evaluation available to the public. At least once a month, boards of education must also discuss either school performance, student outcomes or academics, under the policy.
Boards also would have to adopt a family involvement policy. Preston already has one because it is required for federal programs, Wotring said.
Preston is also ahead of the game on many of the central staff requirements, he noted.
Faculty senates also have accountability under the policy and new powers. For example, they “may meet for an unlimited block of time during noninstructional days to discuss and plan strategies to improve student instruction.”
That is regardless of what Wotring planned.
The policy can be seen at https://wvde.state.wv.us/ policies/, which is also where comments can be left until 4 p.m. Friday.
A Powerpoint presentation on the policy shown at the most recent Preston board meeting can be viewed by going to https://go.board docs.com/wv/pre ston/Board.nsf/Public and clicking on meetings, then the Jan. 13 meeting, then on view the agenda and finally on Policy 2322.
If the policy passes, it will go into effect July 1.
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