Week 9 -March 6-10 (updated 8 am each Friday)

Senate Education Updates

SB 274: Third Grade Success Act. This bill would have required the state Board of Education to develop a plan to close achievement gaps in English Language Arts (ELA) and math for third-grade students, including developing a reading science and literacy program. This week on Monday the House Education committee unexpectedly gutted the bill. However, the bill components were added into another bill, House Bill 3035 (see below). SB 274, with amendment, passed House Education on Wednesday and is sent to House Finance. Read more here.

SB 422: This bill requires the school to publish curriculum online at the beginning of each new school year. The bill mandates that a listing of books on the syllabus be included along with the parental right to inspect instructional materials and the right to file complaints. The bill passed the Senate, was introduced in the House, passed House Education and is on 3rd reading of the Special Calendar.

SB 688: The Committee Substitute allows BOE to hire retired teachers to assist with tutoring. This bill enables retired teachers to provide tutoring services in reading and math to support the need of one-on-one intervention for students. This bill has passed both the Senate and the House completed legislative action on 3/08/2023.

SB 262: Allowing students to transfer schools and retain athletic eligibility. This bill passed House Education on Thursday and was on third reading on the House Calendar.

SB 478: Relating to Jumpstart Savings Program. This bill passed the Senate, was introduced in the House, passed House Finance, and is on 3rd reading of the Special Calendar.

 

House Education Updates

HB 3035: This bill is related generally to high-quality education programs and school operations and aims to create a “multi-tiered system of support intervention for grade level literacy and numeracy by the end of the third grade.” As introduced it was similar to but less expansive than the Senate’s Third Grade Success Act, SB 274. In committee earlier this week, this bill got pared down to a Grow Your Own West Virginia Pathway to Teaching Pilot Program, but received an unexpected infusion of language taken from SB 274 (See above) on the Senate floor Wednesday. This infusion adds to the incorporation of HB 3293’s provisions for dyslexia, added by Senate Education on Tuesday. The bill requires the State Board of Education to develop screeners and benchmark assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics for K-3 grade students, as well as a multi-tiered system of support for students exhibiting substantial reading or math deficiencies to ensure students are proficient before moving past 3rd grade. The bill also allows for teacher aids and interventionists in early elementary classrooms up to 3rd grade. Senate Education Chair Grady commented on this unusual move, saying, “While this [change made by House Education Committee] was not anticipated, the language of the bill was incorporated into House Bill 3035. As long as the language [taken from 274] was included, that was what was important.” The bill passed the Senate in a 32-0 vote, sending the bill to the House to concur.

HB 2005: Establishing the dual enrollment pilot program to be administered by the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education in conjunction with the State Board of Education. The bill passed the House, Senate Education and Senate Finance, before being sent to the Senate floor. The bill is currently on 3rd reading on the Senate Floor.

HB 3084: Relating to revising provisions related to public charter schools. This bill was communicated to the Senate and moved to Finance. It passed with amendments where it is now laid over on the 3rd reading with the right to amend.

Week 8 -February 27- March 3 (updated 8 am each Friday)

Senate Education Updates

SB 422: Requiring schools to publish curriculum online at the beginning of each new school year. This bill passed the Senate unanimously and goes to the House. It came from the governor and would require each school to publish its up-to-date, county-adopted curriculum on the school’s publicly accessible website, or on the county’s if the school doesn’t have one. New or revised curriculum would have to be posted within 30 days of adoption. Read news here.

SB 423: This bill provides for increasing annual salaries for certain employees of the state including public school teachers with an average pay raise of 5%.The bill passed the Senate and was ordered to the House. It was introduced in the House on Monday and was communicated to House Finance.

SB 216: This committee substitute requires all schools to instruct students on Holocaust, other genocides and financial literacy. The bill states that prior to the completion of the eighth grade, at least one year of instruction is provided in the history of the State of West Virginia and that certain courses of study be required for middle school and high school that meet academic standards. This bill passed the Senate and was ordered to the House. It was introduced in the House, communicated to Education and Finance, and is now in House Education.

House Education Updates

HB 3095 - This bill creates a special revenue account known as School Building Authority Agricultural, Vocational, and Technical Training Facilities Grant Fund. The fund will award grants to aid in constructing, renovating, and/or expanding agricultural, vocational, and technical training facilities at West Virginia public schools to attract individuals in agricultural, vocational, and technical fields to relocate to West Virginia. The committee substitute passed the House, was introduced in the Senate, and is now in Senate Finance.

HB 3271 - This bill is related to increased monitoring of special education classrooms. This bill provides for the education of exceptional children by requiring video cameras in certain special education classrooms; audio recording devices in restrooms of self-contained classrooms. The committee substitute passed the House, was communicated and introduced in the Senate. The bill passed the House and was communicated to the Senate. It passed Senate Education on Thursday. Read news here.

HB 3035 - This bill is related generally to high-quality education programs and school operations and aims to create a “multi-tiered system of support intervention for grade level literacy and numeracy by the end of the third grade.” As introduced it was similar to but less expansive than the Senate’s Third Grade Success Act, SB 274. In committee it got pared down to just a Grow Your Own West Virginia Pathway to Teaching Pilot Program. But on the House floor on Monday, it got beefed back up to again closely resemble SB 274, which is still sitting in House Education while this one heads to the Senate. The committee substitute passed the House and was communicated to the Senate. Read news here.

HB 3084 - This bill’s purpose is to revise provisions related to public charter schools. It makes charter schools eligible for School Safety Fund money. It allows a higher education institution to apply to organize a charter school.The committee substitute passed in the House and was communicated to the Senate. Read news here.

HB 3369 - This bill creates a School Safety Unit within the Division of Protective Services. The purpose of the bill is to dedicate within the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security a law enforcement unit focused on primary and secondary school safety matters. The bill passed the House and was introduced in the Senate and is in Senate Education.

Week 7 -February 20-24 (updated 8 am each Friday)

Senate Education Updates

• SB 10: Campus Self-Defense Act This bill provides for the carrying of a concealed pistol or revolver by a person who holds a current license on the property of a public institution of higher education. On Tuesday, the West Virginia House passed a version of the concealed carry on college campuses bill, but there were a few surprise votes. The bill has completed legislation and was signed by the Governor. (read news here).
• SB 619: This bill allows teachers in public schools that include one or more of grades kindergarten through 12 to teach intelligent design as a theory of how the universe and/or humanity came to exist. On Thursday, the bill was on the second reading in the Senate.
• SB 423: This bill provides salary increases for certain state employees, including public school teachers and service personnel.  On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee changed the increase structure from 5% raise to across the board increase of $2,300 which will provide a more significant impact for starting teachers. Read more here.
• SB 1: Requiring Higher Education Policy Commission to create and administer PROMISE Plus Program. The purpose of the PROMISE Plus Program is to supplement the PROMISE Scholarship award of an individual who meets more rigorous standards so that the total of both scholarships received by that individual is equal to the actual cost of tuition. Subject to availability of funding, the PROMISE Plus Program awards shall be distributed beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. On Wednesday, the Senate referred the bill to Senate Finance.

House Education Updates

• HB 2005: Establishing the dual enrollment pilot program to be administered by the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education in conjunction with the State Board of Education. On Thursday, Senate Education Committee discussed the bill and passed it with recommendation for passage to full Senate.
• HB 3113: Requiring high school students to complete course of study in personal finance The bill requires additional class options for the delivery of a program of instruction on personal finance for students in secondary schools and requiring every student to complete a course prior to high school graduation. On Tuesday, the bill passed the House and was communicated to the Senate, where it is on its second reading.
• HB 2820: To provide HOPE scholarship recipients with the ability to play sports. The bill allows participants in the Hope Scholarship Program, Microschools and Learning Pods access to athletics. The bill was communicated and introduced to the Senate where it passed with amendments and is now on first reading.
• HB 3095: Creating a Department of Economic Development grant program relating to agricultural vocational and technical training facilities at West Virginia schools. The bill is in the House on first reading, special calendar.
• HB 3386: The purpose of this bill is to provide all National Merit Scholars free tuition to any West Virginia higher education institution in order to keep these scholars in state. The legislature finds that a large percentage of graduates from the state colleges and universities do not work in the state after graduation. This is particularly true for students who are recipients of the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. There is a need to influence increased numbers of students to remain in West Virginia for college and ultimately for work, especially those students who are recognized as the highest academic achievers. On Thursday, the bill passed House Education and is now heading to House Finance.
• HB 3066: Supplementing and amending appropriations to the Department of Education, State Board of Education - State Aid to Schools for expenditure during the fiscal year 2023. This bill was introduced in the House and moved to House Finance.

Week 6 -February 13-17 (updated 8 am each Friday)

Senate Education Updates

SB 274: Third Grade Success Act On Tuesday, the West Virginia Senate passed the bill that will provide additional help for K-3 students by adding teachers’ assistants and focused programming on literacy and math. Senate Bill 274 passed 34-0 and now heads to the House of Delegates, where a similar bill is pending before the Finance Committee (read news here).

SB 10: Campus Self-Defense Act This bill provides for the carrying of a concealed pistol or revolver by a person who holds a current license on the property of a public institution of higher education. The bill passed the Senate on January 24. On Wednesday, House Judiciary held a public forum and passed the bill with a voice vote. The bill is currently on 1st reading, special calendar in the House (read news here).

House Education Updates

HB 2761: The bill's purpose is to allow classroom aides with 10 or more years of service and good evaluations to bid on teaching positions. A county board that employs classroom aides may consider a classroom aide with no less than 10 years of service and satisfactory evaluations for a position as a classroom teacher to address areas of critical need. The bill passed House Education on Thursday and was sent to the full House with recommendation to pass.

HB 3368: This bill establishes a Troops-to-Teachers program to attract veterans as teachers in our public schools. Retired armed forces officers and staff non-commissioned officers shall be awarded a teaching certificate upon application, which will be valid in public schools. Veterans will be given a veterans’ preference in hiring. The bill passed House Education on Thursday and was sent to the full House with recommendation to pass.

HB 3098: To eliminate the WV General Summative Assessment and replace it with a formative assessment given three times a year. This bill changes the implementation and design of how third through eighth grade and 11th-grade students are tested. The proposed bill specifies that assessments will be given at the school year's beginning, middle, and end to more accurately measure a student's grade-level performance, learning gains, academic progress, or college readiness. On Tuesday, the bill passed the House and was communicated to the Senate.

HB 3113: This House bill requires high school students to complete a course of study in personal finance. The bill states that beginning with the 2023 - 2024 school year, each high school student shall complete a one-credit course of study in personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation in place of existing economics coursework requirements. On Tuesday, the bill passed the House and was communicated to the Senate.

HB 2005: This bill established the dual enrollment pilot program to be administered by the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education in conjunction with the State Board of Education. "Dual enrollment" means registering an eligible secondary student in a postsecondary course creditable toward high school completion and a career technical certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree. The bill passed the House and was communicated to the Senate.

Week 5 -February 6-10

Senate Education Updates

SB 274: Third Grade Success Act is a multi-tiered support system for early literacy and numeracy in kindergarten through grade three. It provides for; pre-service and in-service teacher training, notice to parent or guardian on the progress of the student, and a third-grade retention policy with exceptions. Interventions continue in fourth grade for students below proficient. On Wednesday, the Senate Finance committee took up the bill and passed it with a committee substitute that provided a half-time interventionist if full-time was not available. The bill now goes to the full Senate.

House Education Updates

HB 3084: This bill is related to revising provisions related to public charter schools The purpose is to clarify provisions related to public charter schools in response to issues during the initial implementation and to clarify their access to other sources of public school funding. The committee passed the bill and it now goes to House Finance.

HB 3098: To eliminate the WV General Summative Assessment and replace it with a formative assessment given three times a year. This bill changes the implementation and design of how third through eighth grade and 11th-grade students are tested. The proposed bill specifies that assessments will be given at the school year's beginning, middle, and end to more accurately measure a student's grade-level performance, learning gains, academic progress, or college readiness. The motion was adopted, the bill passed, and is on its first reading in the House.

HB 3113: This House bill requires high school students to complete a course of study in personal finance. The bill states that beginning with the 2023 - 2024 school year, each high school student shall complete a one-credit course of study in personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation in place of existing economics coursework requirements. This coursework must include an end-of-course examination. The State Board of Education shall develop the curriculum for this coursework before July 1, 2023. The bill passed unanimously on a voice vote. The bill is on its first reading in the House.

HB 2005: This bill established the dual enrollment pilot program to be administered by the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education in conjunction with the State Board of Education. "Dual enrollment" means registering an eligible secondary student in a post-secondary course creditable toward high school completion and a career technical certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree. This bill went to House Finance, where the committee substitute was moved for passage. The bill is on its first reading in the House.

Week 4 (January 30-February 3)

Senate Education Updates

SB 274 Week 4 begins with the West Virginia Department of Education presenting the budget to Senate Finance for the Third Grade Success Act on January 31. The bill has yet to be communicated to another committee.

House Education Updates

HB 3113, This House bill requires high school students to complete a course of study in personal finance. The bill states that beginning with the 2023 - 2024 school year, each high school student shall complete a one-credit course of study in personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation in place of existing economics coursework requirements. This coursework must include an end-of-course examination. The State Board of Education shall develop the curriculum for this coursework before July 1, 2023. The bill has yet to be communicated to another committee.

Week 3 (January 23-28)

Week 3 begins with a focus on the Dual Enrollment bill introduced in House Education Committee this week. Strengthening Dual Credit opportunities is a key priority of the Education Alliance. Research shows that students who take dual credit courses are more likely to enroll in and complete college than students who don’t—and to finish faster, too. This bill would provide adequate funding, ensure statewide transferability, and incentivize student participation that benefits all West Virginia students.

House Education Updates

HB 2005, Establishes the dual enrollment pilot program to be administered by the Higher Education Policy Commission and the Council for Community and Technical College Education in conjunction with the State Board of Education.

The four-year pilot program shall offer dual enrollment courses that will comprise individualized pathways for career and post-secondary educational opportunities for the state’s secondary school students. These students shall be enrolled in eligible courses leading to careers in certain designated career pathways, namely direct care health professions; information technology; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields; education; advanced manufacturing; welding and fabrication; and any other program that meets a workforce need in the state as determined by the Department of Commerce. Chancellor Tucker presented the merits of the bill. The bill passed out of committee.

Week 2 (January 16-20)

Week 2 begins with a focus on the Early Literacy and Numeracy bills introduced in both Senate and House Education Committees this week. Early Literacy and Numeracy is a key priority of the Education Alliance.

Click below to view the WV legislative updates for this week.

Senate Education Updates

Thursday’s Senate Education agenda included consideration of SB274, which establishes the Third Grade Success Act. This bill modifies the Transformative System of Support for Early Literacy and Numeracy for early childhood education in grades pre-kindergarten through three to include data for classroom teacher’s recommendations on grade level retention; adding maximum early childhood classroom assistant teacher-pupil ratio for pre-kindergarten through grade three; and providing in-service training for those teachers. The committee reported the committee substitute out with the recommendation that it pass. It will be reported to the floor tomorrow morning and then will go to Senate Finance.

House Education Updates

The House Education Committee considered HB2003, which combined two bills previously introduced. The bill's purpose is to provide systems of support, including early childhood assistant teachers, to help students achieve grade-level literacy and numeracy by the end of third grade. The bill, supported by the WV Superintendent of Schools, passed the committee and was sent to House Finance.