Effective change occurs when those charged with implementing the change have ownership of the change. For this reason, educational personnel in schools and school systems must have the major role in deciding what those changes will be and how they will be implemented. To effect change and to assist staff in making sound , decisions, priority must be given to staff development.
Evaluation of professional personnel will be assured through the processes set forth in Policy 5310, Performance Evaluation of School Personnel.
The West Virginia Board of Education strongly encourages greater use of faculty senates, local school improvement councils, parents and curriculum teams as vehicles for making learning at a high level a reality for all West Virginia students. Each of these has a unique role in the change process at the school level, and each can make substantial contributions toward restructuring the school to meet the unique learning needs of the students served.
Decisions will need to be based on current student data and research on successful instructional practices. Processes will be developed at each school that integrate student data, research on best practices, and student assessment data into sound curriculum and instructional decisions.
Restructuring of schools for improved instruction and learning will require a substantial investment in professional development for personnel serving the schools. County school systems and schools are urged to seek creative means of providing time for such professional development. The West Virginia Board of Education will expand the professional development activities it provides and will work to increase the quantity and quality of professional development for all personnel.
The West Virginia Board of Education will revise Policies 5202, Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Educational Personnel. and Advanced Salary Classifications, and 5100, Approval of Educational Personnel Programs so they complement the provisions of this policy and provide flexibility for county school systems in the preparation, recruitment and retention of teachers and administrators.
W. Va. Code R. § 4.0