students for the future and attracting great educators and school leaders. In working toward these goals, the WVBE actively pursues a process that supports a statewide approach. It incorporates feedback from parents, teachers and students. Debra Sullivan, a retired educator who recently completed her term as a member of the West Virginia Department of Education( WVDE), explains how this process works.
“ The policy development, comment and adoption process is impressive in its intentional inclusion of a statewide constituency,” says Sullivan.“ Working with WVDE staff, draft policies are reviewed by stakeholders from across the state who will eventually implement the policies. Once their work is finished, edited policies are submitted to the WVBE for review and then placed on the WVDE website
for a 30-day comment period, where comments from the general public are accepted.” Sullivan has received comments from a breadth of respondents,
Pack participates in McDowell County flood relief. Photo by Lisa Pack.
such as teachers, administrators, students, parents, legislators, legal and medical professionals, special interest
groups, county boards of education, community groups and nonprofit agencies.
“ Comments are collected and reacted to by WVDE staff in a document that is filed in the Secretary of State’ s office,” she says.“ Based on comments received and reviewed by WVBE and WVDE lawyers, policies are adjusted and submitted to the state board for approval.”
This process makes policy development not only transparent but also collaborative, as it welcomes responses and input from the public. A wide range of stakeholders in the education system can come alongside policymakers to create change. It helps the state to create policies that work in the best interest of students.
The same process takes place in WVBE board meetings, which also include time for comments from the
Every Future Starts at Home
Whether a child is getting ready for school, a veteran is preparing for a job interview or a senior is caring for a grandchild, none of it happens without a safe, healthy home.
At Rebuilding Together Charleston, we repair homes to help families thrive. Help us build a better West Virginia one home at a time.
Sponsored by Rollins, Cleavenger and Rollins.
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