SUPERINTENDENT’S OFFICE
January 2015
Waivers of State Board of Education Policies and Regulations, Superintendent’s
Interpretations and State Statutes and Legislative Rules (Action)
Purpose
This item recommends action on three (3) waiver requests. The waiver requests have
been reviewed by WVDE staff to ensure WVBE waiver criteria have been met.
Recommended for approval are two (2) first time requests for waiver of State Board policy
and one (1) continuation of waiver of State Board policy.
(a) I respectfully recommend the following two (2) requests for a first time
waiver of State Board policy be approved:
Kanawha County Schools (South Charleston Middle School) requests a waiver
of Policy 2510: Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education
Programs, Section 5.2.d.3 (#1281)
South Charleston Middle School is requesting a waiver of Policy 2510: Assuring the
Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs, Section 5.4.g (#1277). The
purpose of the waiver is to improve the educational performance of the school
generally.
Policy 2510, Section 7.2.d.3. states “ The school calendar shall provide, at a minimum,
14 hours per week for Pre-K, and an instructional day of 315 minutes for kindergarten
and grades 1-5, 330 minutes for grades 6-8, and 345 minutes for grades 9-12.”
South Charleston Middle School is requesting a waiver from the 330 minute requirement
for one day a month in order to allow teachers to meet in collaborative groups. The waiver
will allow teachers to meet in Professional Learning Communities once a month for two
hours; students would be dismissed early on that day. South Charleston Middle School
is one of five catalyst schools helping to design new models for professional learning for
West Virginia educators. The county/school does have a calendar that meets the 180
day requirement.
It is understood that the persons submitting these waiver requests will be responsible for
an appropriate evaluation designed and implemented and the results reported to the West
Virginia Department of Education. Any continuation will be contingent on clear,
documented data showing the State Board’s standards were met.
Marion County (Fairmont Senior and North Marion High Schools) – Policy 2510:
Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education Programs,
Section 7.5.c.8 (#1280).
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Marion County Schools (Fairmont Senior and North Marion High Schools) is requesting
a waiver of Policy 2510: Assuring the Quality of Education: Regulations for Education
Programs, Section 7.5.c.8.A and 7.5.c.8.B (#1280). The purpose of the waiver is to
enhance the delivery of instructional programs.
7.5.c.8.A. and 7.5.c.8.B (effective July 2012) state “ A. Teachers of AP® courses must
attend an APSI once every three years after completing the initial APSI. Teachers of AP®
courses may also meet the requirement for attendance at the APSI by holding the
Advanced Placement® credentials outlined in W. Va. 126CSR136 WVBE Policy 5202:
Minimum Requirements for the Licensure of Professional/Paraprofessional Personnel
and Advanced Salary Classification (hereinafter Policy 5202).”
“7.5.c.8.B. All teachers of AP® courses must attend an AP® fall workshop every
two years.”
The following Marion County AP teachers did not participate in a 2014 AP Summer for
Fall Institute for the provided reasons:
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Jason Graser - North Marion – attended the Summer 2013 Institute but believed
he had one more year before attending a required fall session
Chris Tennant – North Marion - attend the 2014 summer institute and should have
also attended the 2014 fall institute as this was his second year of teaching AP
Leigh Ann Sayre – Fairmont Senior - believed she had three years from her starting
date to attend the summer workshop. She was registered to attend the fall 2014
session but was ill and not working at the time.
Kathy Jacquez – Fairmont Senior – attend the fall 2014 session but believed she
had three years from her starting date to attend the summer workshop
Marion County is requesting that each of the four teachers identified above be permitted
to teach AP courses for the 2014-2015 school year. The teachers have submitted course
syllabi to the College Board and those have been approved.
It is recommended the waiver request be approved with the understanding that the four
Marion County teachers listed must attend the appropriate 2015 summer institute and/or
2015 fall institute.
It is understood that the person submitting this waiver request will be responsible for an
appropriate evaluation designed and implemented and the results reported to the West
Virginia Department of Education. Any continuation will be contingent on clear,
documented data showing the State Board’s standards were met.
(b) I respectfully recommend the following one (1) request for a continuation of
waiver of State Board policy be approved:
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Kanawha County Schools (St. Albans High School), Policy 2510: Assuring the
Quality of Education, Section 5.6.f.2 Instructional Minutes (#1221C)
St. Albans High School is requesting a continuation of waiver of Policy 2510: Assuring
the Quality of Education, Section 5.6.f.2 Instructional Minutes (#1221C). The
purpose of the waiver is to enhance the delivery of instructional programs.
Policy 2510 5.6.f.2 states “ A county board of education that proposes to schedule class
periods in a manner that results in fewer than 8100 minutes of instructional time allotted
for a high school course credit must obtain a waiver from the WVBE prior to implementing
such a schedule.”
St. Albans High School (SAHS) instituted a tri-flex (trimester) schedule during the 201112 school year. The tri-flex schedule has allowed the school to increase instructional
minutes in some courses, decrease the potential down time that sometimes accompanies
90 minute block courses, and also to be able to achieve common planning for core
teachers.
The requested waiver allowed SAHS to increase course offerings, decrease course splits,
and positively affect student/teachers ratios. Evaluation data provided by the school
shows that student achievement on WESTEST 2, ACT, and Advanced Placement (AP)
exams have all improved. The continuation of the waiver request has the support of the
school’s LSIC and faculty. The Kanawha County Board of Education has also been
informed of the request to continue the waiver.
It is understood that the person submitting this waiver request will be responsible for an
appropriate evaluation designed and implemented and the results reported to the West
Virginia Department of Education. Any continuation will be contingent on clear,
documented data showing the State Board’s standards were met.
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