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OPINIONS
Editorial: Education summit identifies many topics worthy of action
A gathering in Charleston last week yielded some serious talk about how education in West Virginia needs to change so that the state and its residents can better compete economically.
Sound familiar? That's because the same talk has come from such conferences before.
But education leaders attending the Summit on Global Competitiveness at the University of Charleston say that this time will be different -- that the nation's economic crisis has underscored the need for West Virginia's education system to step up to global standards. As a result, they said, the resolve to push for and take action will be there.
We hope so. As Ralph Baxter, co-chairman of the 21st Century Jobs Cabinet of West Virginia, pointed out: "We need to do it to keep the jobs we have and bring new jobs to West Virginia."
Those participating in the summit brought up issues that merit attention, and in many cases will require legislative action or steps by the state Board of Education.
Among them is loosening up a school calendar set by state law. It is now so restrictive that it prevents school systems from fulfilling a state requirement to have 180 days of classes in a school year even when weather forces cancellations.
Another is giving school systems the flexibility to offer incentives to teachers highly qualified to teach in high-demand subjects, such as math and science. Also deserving a look is whether current laws regarding teacher seniority restrict school systems' ability to put the most qualified candidates in the most appropriate slots.
Curriculum requirements also may be a target; some educators say current rules for core academic subjects make it difficult for students to pursue more technological- and vocational-based paths and still graduate.
Students at the conference also provided valuable input. Some called for better means of evaluating teachers' performance so poor instructors are weeded out or pressed to improve. Students also said grade standards should be raised so students can't just "skate by" and still make it through school.
Other topics worth a look include better use of technology to aid learning and keep subject matter up to date and the possibility of charter schools.
Because West Virginia has not suffered as severely as many other states from the nation's recent financial crisis, spending for public education has not been cut. But Gov. Joe Manchin raised a good question at the summit. He wondered how effectively the money now spent on education is being used when companies considering investment in the state ask about available training money for their prospective work forces.
It's a good question, and it points out that significant gains in student achievement have not been forthcoming so far from the state's schools. It's time for lawmakers, other state officials and local educators to press for some significant action. No matter the buzz words, talk alone yields little improvement.
