1. Academic spotlight: project overview, conclusions, and recommendations
Presentation to the West Virginia Board of Education
November 13, 2015
Dr. Gypsy M. Denzine, Dean and Dr. Gregory D. Epps Sr., Senior Consultant
West Virginia University College of Education and Human Services

2. Agenda Project overview Research Findings recommendations

3. Project overview: Partners
Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (Mr. Jim Denova)
West Virginia University
College of Education and Human Services
Reed College of Media
Information Technology Services
Marshall University
WV Board of Education
WV Department of Education
Southern Regional Education Board
Educational Leaders:
Dale Lee - WVEA
Christine Campbell – AFT
Dr. Frank Devano, Monongalia County Superintendent

4. Project overview: Time Line
Grants submitted (April-May 2015)
Selected Academic Benchmarks for survey (May 2015)
Academic Spotlight website (June 2015)
On-line survey launched (July 8–September 30, 2015)
Eight town hall meetings (September 2015)
Data screening and analysis (October 2015)
Content Review Teams (October 12-15, 2015)
Final report submitted to WV Department of Education (November 9, 2015)

5. Project overview: survey
Participation limited to WV citizens over the age of 18
Only one IP address
Required address
Opportunity to select “retain, remove, move up/down a grade level”
Opportunity to provide written comments
No overall rating for academic standards

6. Survey Data analysis Reviewed over 250,000 comments
Reviewed ratings and rankings for all standards
Identified “bottom 5” for ELA and Mathematics by grade level for the Content Review Teams (CRTs)

7. Content review teamS (teachers, school administrators, and higher education faculty)
West Virginia University
October 12-13, 2015 in Morgantown
Grades 6-12
Marshall University
October 14-15, 2015 in Huntington
Grades K-5

8. Content review teamS FINDINGS
Recommended revisions to 54 ELA standards
Recommended revisions to 47 Mathematics standards
In total, recommended revisions to 101 standards

9. Findings and Conclusions
Majority of feedback received for K-5 ELA
Majority of on-line comments were to rewrite the standard for clarity or change to a different grade
82% of on-line sample comprised of educators
Questions at Town Hall meetings revealed misunderstandings about the standards
CRTs did not suggest adding any new standards

10. recommendations Specific changes to 101 standards
Provide more local control for curriculum and instructional materials choice
Simplify current structure and presentation of standards

11. Thank You For more information Please Contact:
Gypsy M. Denzine, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education and Human Services
West Virginia University