Board of Education to Vote on Educational Standards

The West Virginia Board of Education is set to vote on new educational standards to replace those based on Common Core.

Last month state schools Superintendent Michael Martirano recommended getting rid of the K-12 Next Generation Standards for math and English amid growing pressure from Republican lawmakers to nix them. Martirano also recommended less testing.

The new standards include handwriting instruction in grades K-4, and the expectation for students to learn multiplication tables by the end of grade 3.

The state Department of Education has said the new standards would give teachers more autonomy and flexibility, and emphasize problem-solving skills related to college, careers and life-needed skills.

The testing and standards changes were put out for public comment for 30 days.