W.Va. Superintendent Wants Full Review of Common Core Standards

West Virginia Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Martirano announced Thursday the state Department of Education will take on a full review of the state’s Next Generation Content Standards for English and math.

The announcement of the review comes less than a month after the end of the legislative session during which lawmakers  took up a bill to repeal the standards, later amending the bill to require a year long review. That legislation failed on the final night of the session.

In 2010, the West Virginia Board of Education adopted Common Core, entering into a consortium with dozens of other states across the country.

After their adoption, 100 West Virginia teachers took the national standards and modified them to become the West Virginia specific Next Generation Content Standards.

The English and math standards were fully implemented in schools across West Virginia at the start of the 2014-2015 school year for all grades.

This month, students will also take the Smarter Balance Assessment for the first time, the standardize test aligned with the standards.

“We recognize that we came through the legislative session with great discussion regarding the standards,” Martirano told members of the West Virginia Board of Education, who will also participate in the review process.

Martirano explained the review will come in two phases. First, the state Department of Education will place the standards online for full access by the public and will travel the state to conduct town hall style meetings, receiving feedback from parents, teachers and local board of education members on the standards themselves.

Second, West Virginia teachers will team with West Virginia University, Marshall University and members of the Southern Regional Education Board to take on an intensive review of the standards to ensure they are college and career ready.

This process is similar to what would have been required had the Senate amended version of the repeal passed this session.

Board President Gayle Manchin said Thursday the review process is not just about ensuring the rigor of the standards, but also to ensure parents understand the standards and the key role they play in the state’s education system.

Superintendent Martirano will report back to the state Board monthly on the progress of the review. Updates will also be provided to lawmakers during the process.