The WVCBP's education policy fellow, Tamaya Browder, released the following statement on March 20, 2025 in response to the Trump Administration's executive order to "eliminate the U.S. Department of Education". "The U.S. Department of Education provides critical support, funding, and protections for our nation’s school-aged children. While, to be clear, states and communities already determine…
Education
Recent proposals from the Trump Administration and Congress aim to cut federal education funding and dismantle the United States Department of Education, contributing to the rising trend of disinvestment from public education. Federal funds support critical programs in West Virginia like Title I, which serves low-income children, Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) funding to…
WV Watch - As an educator and parent, I have seen firsthand the power of public schools to help our students achieve brighter futures and bring our communities together. But I have also watched the underfunding and politicization of public education in West Virginia over the past decade and the consequences for our state’s students. …
The Intermountain - Five years ago on Friday, March 13, 2020 Gov. Jim Justice announced a state of emergency, and all public places closed down. Private businesses were able to reopen sooner, but the public schools opened slowly because of concern for the health and safety of children. Randolph Co. Schools reopened after Labor Day…
As public education faces challenges of declining enrollment and persistent disinvestment of funding and resources, school closures and consolidations continue to threaten access to public education for children in our state. Twenty-five schools were proposed or approved for closure across the state this school year. One county that has been particularly affected is Wood County.…
Mountain State Spotlight, West Virginia Daily News, Times West Virginian - Next year, West Virginia taxpayers will subsidize any parent who doesn’t want to send their kid to public school. Read the full article. The price tag? $315 million. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, said he’s concerned about the state being able to afford the…
Intermountain - This coming Friday we plan to have our second “First Friday Focus on Education” gathering in the Learning Lab at Kump Education Center, 401 S. Randolph Avenue across from Kroger at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7. Read the full article. We hope to develop more understanding of problems that impede progress in our schools…
West Virginia Watch, Times West Virginian - The price tag for the Hope Scholarship, the state’s education savings account program, will double next year, climbing to more than $100 million. As budget concerns loom, lawmakers are questioning if the state can afford the program that is a hallmark of the Republican-heavy Legislature’s education freedom push. …
West Virginia Watch - More than 25,000 children in West Virginia don’t have access to child care, and last year, budget concerns stalled bills meant to tackle the issue. This year, a new wave of budget questions could put the problem on the back burner. Read the full article. Addressing a web of child care issues was a…
Introduction We are currently in a mental health crisis both nationally and in West Virginia. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, youth across the country were experiencing mental health challenges, but during the pandemic there were steep increases in the number of youth experiencing anxiety and depression. The pandemic led to new stressors for youth, including school…