- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states
This page features information about K-12 areas of instruction required by state statute in West Virginia public schools.
Background
- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states and K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in the states
State education officials may develop content standards and curricula, depending on the state, in order to facilitate instruction in public schools. In some states, lawmakers also adopt required areas of instruction by statute.
K-12 content standards and curriculum development
State or local education officials may develop K-12 curricula for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curricula may reflect or incorporate state content standards—educational learning and achievement goals that state education officials either require or recommend that local schools satisfy in K-12 instruction.
Areas of instruction required by statute
Some state laws require the inclusion of specific areas of instruction in K-12 public school curricula. In these cases, lawmakers—rather than state education officials—mandate certain education requirements for students. Laws governing specific areas of instruction in K-12 curricula vary by state.
Statutorily required areas of instruction in West Virginia
The following table provides information about selected areas of instruction required by statute in West Virginia as of 2023. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.
West Virginia Code §18-2-9:
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Required courses of instruction.
(a) (1) In all public, private, parochial, and denominational schools located within this state there shall be given prior to the completion of the eighth grade at least one year of instruction in the history of the State of West Virginia. The schools shall require regular courses of instruction by the completion of the 12th grade in the history of the United States, in civics, in the Constitution of the United States, and in the government of the State of West Virginia for the purpose of teaching, fostering, and perpetuating the ideals, principles, and spirit of political and economic democracy in America, and increasing the knowledge of the organization and machinery of the government of the United States and of the State of West Virginia. The required courses shall include instruction on the institutions and structure of American government, such as the separation of powers, the Electoral College, and federalism. The required courses shall include instruction that provides students an understanding of American political philosophy and history, utilizing writings from prominent figures in Western civilization, such as Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson. The courses of instruction shall offer an objective and critical analysis of ideologies throughout history including, but not limited to, capitalism, republicanism, democracy, socialism, communism, and fascism. The required courses shall emphasize the use of primary sources and interactive learning techniques, such as mock scenarios, debates, and open and impartial discussions...[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-7a:
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Legislative findings; required physical education; program in physical fitness.
(b) As a result of these findings, the state Department of Education shall establish the requirement that each child enrolled in the public schools of this state actively participates in physical education classes during the school year to the level of his or her ability as follows:
- (1) Elementary school grades. –- Not less than thirty minutes of physical education, including physical exercise and age-appropriate physical activities, for not less than three days a week.
- (2) Middle school grades. –- Not less than one full period of physical education, including physical exercise and age-appropriate physical activities, each school day of one semester of the school year.
- (3) High school grades. –- Not less than one full course credit of physical education, including physical exercise and age-appropriate physical activities, which shall be required for graduation and the opportunity to enroll in an elective lifetime physical education course...[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-7b:
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Programs in drug prevention and violence reduction.
(b) No later than the start of the 2018-2019 school year, a county board shall implement comprehensive drug awareness and prevention programs for students in grades K through 12 to receive instruction regarding the dangers of substance abuse...[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-7C:
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Programs in Personal Finance
(d) Every student shall complete a course in personal finance prior to high school graduation.[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-7d:
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Program in workforce preparedness.
(c) Beginning with the school year 2022 — 2023, county boards of education shall provide elective Career Technical Education courses for middle school students that may include, but are not limited to, foundational Career Technical Education courses, Career Technical Education courses developed with a focus on high need occupational areas within the area or region, agriculture, industrial arts and family and consumer sciences.[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-8:
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Course of study in fire prevention.
The state Board of Education shall, with the advice of the state Superintendent of Schools, prescribe a course of study in fire prevention for use in the public, private and parochial schools of this state, dealing with the protection of lives and property against loss or damage as a result of preventable fires. It shall be the duty of the county superintendent, Board of Education, directors, trustees, or other committees or persons having control of public, private and parochial schools in each county, village, city or school district, to arrange for such course of study in fire prevention and to compel its use in each school under their control or direction.[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-12:
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Computer science courses of instruction; learning standards; state board plan development.
(d) Recognizing the importance of computer science instruction and how computer science instruction will assist students in their transition to post-secondary opportunities, the state board shall adopt a policy detailing the appropriate level of computer science instruction that shall be available to students at each programmatic level...[2]
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West Virginia Code §18-2-13:
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Character education integration.
(b) The state board shall require all public schools that operate from preschool to grade twelve to develop and integrate components of character development into their existing curriculum. The schools may incorporate such programs as "life skills", "responsible students", or any other program encompassing any of the following components:
- (1) Honesty;
- (2) Caring;
- (3) Citizenship;
- (4) Justice;
- (5) Fairness;
- (6) Respect;
- (7) Responsibility;
- (8) Voting;
- (9) Academic achievement;
- (10) Completing homework assignments;
- (11) Improving daily attendance;
- (12) Avoiding and resolving conflicts;
- (13) Alternatives to violence;
- (14) Contributing to an orderly positive school environment;
- (15) Participating in class;
- (16) Resisting social peer pressures to smoke, drink and use drugs;
- (17) Developing greater self-esteem and self-confidence;
- (18) Effectively coping with social anxiety;
- (19) Increasing knowledge of the immediate consequences of substance abuse;
- (20) Increasing knowledge of the consequences of ones actions;
- (21) The corrupting influence and chance nature of gambling; and
- (22) The value of decent, honest work...[2]
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See also
External links
