CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) released the 2023 County Efficiency Indicators during the West Virginia Board of Education meeting (WVBE) Wednesday in Charleston.

As part of the West Virginia Accountability System, the WVBE annually reviews information to determine each county’s approval status. According to the report, 25 counties met the requirements of the 11 identified indicators of efficiency. Sixteen of those counties have done so for two consecutive years.

The report also described districts not meeting standards in measures reported on the West Virginia Balanced Scorecard. Attendance and math achievement were identified as areas of focus based on the number of counties not meeting standards in those areas. Five districts were identified as needing substantial support upon review of the number of areas not meeting standards.

“It is critical to work with fidelity with our counties to remediate issues early before they become more substantial and require higher levels of WVBE and WVDE involvement,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “Visits to and communications with the counties are planned on a routine basis with the purpose of regularly reviewing the efficiency indicators and addressing areas of need.”

To review the full report, visit the WVDE website.

The WVBE also heard an update from the Office of Technical and Adult Innovation about the WVDE’s growing middle school programs. These initiatives allow students to explore the 16 career clusters while engaging in interactive and hands-on activities in areas of interest. During the 2022-23 school year, 30,786 students in grades 6 – 8 participated in career exploration courses statewide. Visit CareerTechWV.com for more information.

The next regularly scheduled WVBE meeting is at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023, in Building 6, Suite 600, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, West Virginia, 25305.