Leaders of West Virginia teachers unions say focus groups around the state demonstrated an emphasis on recruitment and retention, managing student discipline, supporting mental health and increasing parental involvement.
Last fall, in response to disappointing standardized testing results on The Nation’s Report Card, the leaders of the West Virginia Education Association and American Federation of Teachers-West Virginia hit the road for focus groups discussing ways to support student success.
The presidents of the teachers unions discussed the findings from the focus groups during a Wednesday press conference.
Here are the main takeaways:
Recruitment and retention of employees One of the biggest items for retention and recruitment of employees is a competitive salary, the organizations concluded. “Salaries must be competitive with education jobs in our surrounding states as well as other professions in West Virginia. While the recent 5 percent salary increases have been appreciated, they have not kept up with the salaries of our surrounding states and inflation.”
Manage student discipline “Education employees are exhausted by the disciplinary issues plaguing our public schools. From minor classroom disruptions to assaults on employees, actions must be taken to provide a safe and effective learning environment. These disciplinary problems occur at all levels.”
The organizations advocate for alternative education centers at all academic levels including elementary. “Discipline referrals must be treated seriously by administrators, and discipline must be uniform and fair for all students.”
Mental health support All students and employees should have access to mental health support, the organizations say. “This will require additional counselors, psychologists and mental health professionals in our school systems at all levels.”
Increased parental involvement To assist student learning, the organizations say, parents and guardians must be involved. “For this to happen, those individuals need resources and support from our school systems and communities. Student achievement levels are highest when there is a coordinated effort between home and school environments. Resources such as Communities in Schools and parent resource centers should be expanded.”
The teachers unions say school systems are working on tight budgets with very little money to provide additional resources to support increasing student achievement. “If we are committed to increasing student achievement, we must commit the resources, both financial and programmatic, to institute programs and student assistance,” the organizations concluded.
Some bills advancing in the Legislature address issues like those.
The House Finance Committee this week advanced a bill that would bump starting teachers salaries from $39,000 up to $44,000. Following that, other salary levels established through statutory formula would also adjust upwards.
“It’s a great idea to get our beginning salaries to $44,000,” said WVEA President Dale Lee, in response to a question. “But one of the things that we’ve seen over the years is, we’ll address the need for a couple of years and then go four or five years without addressing the need. And we can’t do that. We have to make a concerted effort to go forward and look at this every year.”
Addressing the political viability of a pay raise bill at the same moment elected officials are discussing a big income tax cut, Lee described uncertainty.
“Do I think politically that has a chance? Depends on where we want to put our money in West Virginia,” he said, noting the billion-dollar surplus the state is running now. “I can’t think of any better investment than our kids, the students of West Virginia and their education. So do I think it has a chance if our priorities are with our kids? Yes. But we’ll see.”
Another policy being considered in the Senate and House of Delegates would provide more support in early-grade classrooms.
“I don’t see how you could not like an initiative to provide more support,” said Fred Albert, president of AFT-West Virginia. “We know that children who are struggling, if we get them early on, I like to say we’re putting them in intensive care to help them become good readers, fluent readers.
“So those bills, I think, are good. They’re going to cost money but again it’s an investment in our students and in our future, and I think that will help for student achievement.”
West Virginia’s test scores on last year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress were well below the national average and amounted to the state’s lowest performance ever. The test assessed fourth and eighth graders on their reading and mathematics skills.
The scores motivated the teachers unions to participate in public discussions last fall in Morgantown, Wheeling, Charleston, Beckley and Martinsburg. An online focus group was also involved.
Improving will take time, the organizations concluded.
“Even with additional resources, we will not see the desired results overnight,” they said. “Increasing student achievement will take time and we must be committed to staying the course as the initiatives and changes we institute have time to show the desired results.”