CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Education Committee has advanced legislation to create four separate pathways for high school students to work toward graduation.
Senate Bill 1044 would direct the West Virginia Department of Education to create the four different pathways with customized curriculum for students to earn a high school diploma. They would all be equal in stature, but would be geared toward the student’s future interests.
“We’ve constantly talked about how our graduation requirements are geared toward a four-year institution only and we have a lot of students who cannot see the value in some of the classes they are taking because they know they are not going to a four-year college. This would allow them the flexibility to take other courses that they know they are going to do,” said Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Amy Grady.
The legislation calls for the pathways to be a college preparatory program which would get students ready to attend a four-year college. However, along with college-prep, there would be another pathway designed with a curriculum to benefit students who plan to go into the workforce immediately after graduation. The third path would be one of advanced Technical Education training to become a skilled tradesman. The fourth pathway would be a military preparation program. The path would be chosen entering 9th grade, but Grady added the programs are to be designed so students can change their mind.
“They can do both, much like our students in the classes do dual credits with universities, they could do dual pathways, say military and workforce,” she added.
The legislation is also clear that all of the pathways will be equal and none will be referred to as “alternative” or “remedial.” They would all work toward earning a diploma of equal weight and value.
The legislation passed the committee unanimously and heads to the Senate floor.