Professional Development: Implementation at the West Virginia Department of Education Professional Development: Implementation at the West Virginia Department of Education Dr. Fran Warsing Superintendent, Office of Institutional Education Programs West Virginia Department of Education

Title I, Part D, Population Who are our students? Incarcerated Youth – approximately 475 students – 2 facilities Group Home youth – approximately 535 students – 4 facilities

Targeted Student Needs Needs upon Entry ◦ 35% of students enter below grade level in math and reading ◦ Most students enter deficient in high school credits ◦ Students had little access to technology prior to entry Needs upon Exit ◦ Transition back to school - Students return to public school, post secondary education ◦ Transition to employment – Students are highly mobile and lacking in the ability to thrive in society

Title I Services and Professional Development Served high poverty students – Ruby Payne training for all teachers Addressed low level students’ needs – Read 180 training, Learning Focused Strategies (LFS) training Provided 21st Century Skills – Globaloria, white board and personal responder training Established learning communities at all schools

Observed Outcomes Use of Learning Focused Strategies (LFS) has improved instruction and teachers have requested more training in this area Collaborative efforts of teachers working in learning communities has a positive impact on their teaching practices Better teaching practices result in fewer disciplinary problems in classrooms, allowing more teaching and learning to take place