The West Virginia Legislature passed legislation to improve the Mountain State’s 2019 public charter school law to help more families select the learning environment that best fits the needs of their child.
“Families deserve educational options that meet their needs, especially as students work to recover from potential learning loss during the pandemic. While the 2019 passage of West Virginia’s charter school law brought hope, it also brought red tape that prevented any charters from opening in the state.
“As charter schools now open their doors, students will have greater access to a public education option that helps prepare them for a successful career and fulfilling life.
“ExcelinEd in Action thanks Senate and House leadership for prioritizing this important legislation to increase public school opportunities for students. Special thanks to Senate Education Committee Chair Patricia Rucker whose vision and leadership led to the initial charter school law and the improvements made this year.”
Ashley DeMauro Mullins, ExcelinEd in Action Senior Legislative Affairs Director
House Bill 2012 creates an appeals process and an independent charter board to give charter school leaders multiple authorization pathways to create more school options. It also allows future increases in the number of charter schools permitted in the state, as well as a process for establishing virtual charter schools for the first time.
The bill now goes to Governor Jim Justice for his signature.
Learn more about public charter schools.
Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students and held to state academic and financial standards. However, unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are run independently of school districts and operate under a performance contract with an authorizer (a district, the state or another approved government or nonprofit entity). In exchange for more operational autonomy, charter schools are held accountable for student success. Most charter schools are stand-alone schools that were started by parents and community organizers to address local and specific problems. They allow parents to take a more active role in their child’s education by empowering families with options in public education.
