Education

March 15, 2025 by WVCBP
More School Funding Needed in Rural WV

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…

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March 13, 2025 by Tamaya Browder
Wood County: The Case for Reversing Course on the Hope Scholarship Expansion

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.…

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March 1, 2025 by Sarah Duncan
First Friday Focus on Education

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…

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February 26, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Skyrocketing Hope Scholarship Price Tag, Now Around $100M, a Concern for WV Lawmakers Making Budget

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. …

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February 20, 2025 by Sean O'Leary
Supporting Youth Mental Health in West Virginia

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…

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February 19, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Federal Cuts Could Affect Local Schools, Including Low Income And Disabled Students, Says Budget Expert

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - Just one month after his inauguration, the Trump administration has cut thousands of workers across the federal government. The Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, headed by Elon Musk, is looking to slash at least $1 trillion in federal spending across dozens of departments. Kelly Allen, executive director of the…

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February 19, 2025 by Kelly Allen
Senate President Discusses Legislative Priorities And How Federal Cuts Could Affect Local Schools, This West Virginia Morning

West Virginia Public Broadcasting - On this West Virginia Morning, new Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, spoke with news director Eric Douglas for The Legislature Today on Tuesday. They discussed Smith’s legislative priorities, including economic development and broadband issues. Read the full article. And amidst the cuts being made to federal programs, Kelly Allen, executive director of the…

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