The Joint Committee on Education met this afternoon for an interim meeting.
First, the committee heard about M3T, Mountaineer Mathematics Master Teachers, which is a teacher-led collaborative that started in Pocahontas County to improve middle and high school math scores. The program has grown to include 300 teachers in 37 districts led by 42 teacher leaders. The program has helped over 30,000 students in 6th through 12th grade. West Ed, a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that conducts independent evaluations on educational interventions, has evaluated M3T. In the initial phase, West Ed looked at job satisfaction and participation in the program. In more recent years, West Ed has researched student improvement outcomes. This type of professional development has improved teacher learning and student outcomes. M3T has expanded nationally, and teachers in West Virginia have been recognized for their work.
Next, the committee heard from the WV School Counselor Association. The Association recognizes the Legislature has made improvements to access to school counselors but hopes to build upon them. The benefits of school counselors are improvements in academic achievement, behavioral outcomes, graduation rates, attendance, and mental health. The top priority for the association is a smaller ratio of students to counselors. The recommendations provided by the counselors are:
- Modernize the definition of school counseling to align with the American School Counselor Association National Model
- Add comprehensive school counselor program definition to code
- Better define appropriate use of school counselor’s time
- Protect counselor’s time
- Modernize professional development
- Improve accountability through statewide reporting
Finally, a representative from the Governor’s office presented the Governor’s principles for education reform.
