West Virginia
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “College and Career Readiness means that students exit high school prepared for success in a wide range of high-quality post-secondary opportunities. Specifically, college and career readiness refers to the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in postsecondary education and/ or training that lead to gainful employment. Today’s workplace requires that all workers be lifelong learners in order to advance in their careers. Therefore, it is necessary that there be a common set of knowledge and skills that all individuals acquire to successfully transition into postsecondary education or the workplace. As individuals select specific career paths, they will then have to focus on the amount and type of additional knowledge and skills they should acquire to be successful in their chosen field. A student’s goals, desires, and interests influence the precise knowledge and skill profile necessary to be ready for success in their chosen postsecondary endeavors and the level of postsecondary education needed to accomplish a student’s individual career aspirations. All students should exit high school with a full understanding of the career opportunities available to them, the education necessary to be successful in their chosen pathway, and a plan to attain their goals.”
Yes
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
- ACT composite scores and participation rate
- SAT scores and participation rate
- PSAT participation rate
- AP scores
- AP enrollment
- NAEP scores
- CTE course enrollment by pathway3
- Senior opinions survey
- Academic readiness
- Sources of college information
- Financial aid awareness
- Collegiate plans
- College decisions
- College-going rate
- Number of awards and amounts awarded3
- Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Grant
- Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence (PROMISE) Scholarship
- West Virginia Higher Education Grant (WVHEG) Program
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes, find out more about college/career readiness in the state’s accountability formula here.
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Advanced Coursework Enrollment
- CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
Yes
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
Yes, the following Durable Skills are reflected in the state’s career-readiness standards:
- Character
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity
- Critical Thinking
- Fortitude
- Growth Mindset
- Leadership
- Metacognition
- Mindfulness
Yes
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
No
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
No
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Yes, counties and districts use the West Virginia Education Information System to collect both participation and outcomes data.
Yes
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes, the state uses work-based learning participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding. Learn more here.
No
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are “West Virginia students must earn four credits towards a Personalized Education Plan (PEP), which will identifying courses that will lead directly to placement in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses, an industry-recognized certificate or license, or workforce training programs. If a student chooses to become a CTE concentrator for their PEP, it must be in a West Virginia approved career cluster.” Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via coursework and credential earned.
Yes
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
Yes, the state outlines a robust set of graduation requirements that can be found here.
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