W.Va. gov disappointed by education bills' failure
By The Associated Press
The Associated Press
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Gov. Joe Manchin says West Virginia's public school system needs change, and he's disappointed that reform legislation failed during the Legislature's recent special session.
The governor says students aren't being adequately prepared for higher education and 21st century jobs.
The House Education Committee rejected a sweeping revamping of the state's response to low-performing schools. It idled another measure that proposed alternative ways to certify teachers and principals.
Lawmakers approved a couple of pilot projects. But Manchin says he's disappointed that more wasn't accomplished.
"We stepped forward as hard as we could ... and we still got nothing," he said of the seven-bill agenda for education reform. "I'm disappointed the Education Committees didn't take it more seriously to make change."
West Virginia Federation of Teachers President Judy Hale said she thought lawmakers engaged in some "excellent discussion on these issues." She anticipates lawmakers will continue working on reforms during the 2011 regular session.
The death of Robert C. Byrd and the debate over how to fill his U.S. Senate seat dominated the recent special session, she said.
"That became the top priority, and education had to take a backseat," she said. "I don't think either house was inclined to get into further controversy at the time."
Manchin said education reform is necessary in West Virginia because students aren't being prepared to enter the work force.
"The results don't lie. They are what they are," he said. "The education system is the way it is, perhaps, because change hasn't happened."