Transformational Learning Opportunities:

Virtual & Online Schooling:

• West Virginia has a statewide virtual school, the West Virginia Virtual School, which serves students grades K-12. Virtual Prep Academy is the state’s second multi-district full-time online school, which opened in 2022.
• In 2022, the state’s Board of Education enacted Policy 2510, which requires districts to offer a full-time virtual program for students grades 6-12; districts can utilize the state school or contract with other providers to fulfill this requirement.

Digital Learning Resources:

• The state’s Department of Education provides virtual learning resources for families and educators, as well as professional learning opportunities for online instruction.

• Curious about your district’s internet access? ConnectK-12 provides state- and district-specific information on access to the recommended bandwidth speeds and monthly internet costs.

• West Virginia's CTE programs enable students to engage in hands-on, technical training, exploring potential careers. These programs not only impart real-world knowledge and skills but also offer opportunities for industry-recognized credentials and meaningful work-based learning experiences.

• In 2019, the West Virginia Department of Education launched a Competency Based Learning incubator in collaboration with Education Alliance and Great Schools Partnership to develop plans to expand mastery-based programming.

• The School Innovation Zones Act of 2009 enabled public schools to receive innovation grants and exemption from specific state regulations. Although initially passed in 2009, the effectiveness of Innovation Zones was largely nullified in 2016 by the Innovation in Education Act. This legislation provides public schools the chance to become Innovation in Education schools, granting them autonomy in designing their learning environments, teaching methods, curriculum, and school structure based on student interests. These schools prioritize core curriculum areas such as STEM, community school partnerships, entrepreneurship, career pathways, art, and, as of 2019, mastery-based learning. This addition allows students to progress based on content mastery rather than traditional seat time requirements.