State trying to gain more flexibility in identifying and helping struggling schools

West Virginia is making progress in its efforts to get out from under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBOE) is a step closer to gaining full approval of its NCLB Flexibility Request after revisions were recently made to the state’s Educator Evaluation System in response to feedback from federal reviewers.

Back in September of 2012, the WVBOE submitted the waiver for the purpose of seeking permission from the U.S. Department of Education to free West Virginia public schools from certain federal rules and deadlines under NCLB so the state may focus more on improving learning and instruction.

If the request is approved by the U.S. Department of Education, West Virginia would be allowed more flexibility in using its own accountability system to more effectively identify struggling schools and to efficiently direct resources to struggling schools.

Through the NCLB Flexibility Request, the state would be given the flexibility needed to fully implement the Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives. It would also establish a high-quality accountability system that values individual student academic growth and supports schools as well as expands the Educator Evaluation System pilot.

Under the request, schools would still be held accountable for individual student achievement results, but instead the focus will be shifted from a large number of schools not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress to a smaller number of schools flagged for targeted support.

The waiver was submitted in collaboration with several education stakeholders including the West Virginia Governor’s Office and teacher organizations.