CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s most promising secondary school students are getting the chance to make an impact on the state’s public schools.
State Superintendent of Schools Michele Blatt named the first 15 members of the Super STARS (Students Taking Action for Readiness and Success) Council at last week’s state board of education meeting.
“We’re excited really about that and the students. All the students that applied and sent in their videos were phenomenal,” she said.
The council is made up of 6th-12th grade students representing each region of the state. The selection process included an application, administrator recommendation, and video submission assessing the issues faced by West Virginia schools.
“They all had so many great ideas that it was hard to pick just 15 across the state, but we knew if we got too large, it would be hard to manage,” Blatt said.
Council meetings take place four times during the upcoming school year, with Blatt set to conduct additional regional education meetings. She hopes the council can boost student engagement and improve the student experience.
“The reason we picked really the older students right now for grades 6-12 is because we really want to focus in on that middle school engagement and then the career pathways in high school,” she said.
Blatt is keeping an open mind before the council holds its first meeting and wants to hear what issues on which students are focused. She plans to spend this time listening and considering how to make a positive change.
“What are some things that they can tell us that would’ve made middle school or would make middle school better for them? What are some things that would be hindrances to what they want to pursue in high school, and just how can we do some things differently to make it better for their futures?” she said.