West Virginia School Climate Policy

WEST VIRGINIA 

 

There are 57 school districts in West Virginia and 755 schools. During the 2020-2021 school year, there were 252,357 students enrolled in public schools. About 67% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. There is no school climate survey policy in West Virginia, but there are many policies addressing aspects of school climate. Policies include anti-bullying, crisis response planning, character education, school counseling, special education, suicide prevention and awareness, digital literacy, and anti-discrimination. There is a policy that requires annual training for multicultural education for school personnel. 

Saftey

There is currently no policy surrounding School Climate in West Virginia. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

West Virginia Code 18-2C-2 Definitions.

Defines the terms cyber-bullying, harassment, bullying, and intimidation and behaviors that are associated with these actions.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-2c/section-18-2c-2/

 West Virginia asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it.

  • West Virginia Code 18-2C-3 Policy prohibiting harassment intimidation or bullying.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-2c/section-18-2c-3/

  • West Virginia Code 18-2C-1 Legislative findings.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-2c/section-18-2c-1/

  • West Virginia Administrative Code 126-99. EXPECTED BEHAVIOR IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS (4373)

http://wvde.state.wv.us/healthyschools/Policy4373ExpectedBehaviorsinSafeandSupportiveSchools.htm

West Virginia anti-bullying laws cover incidents that occur on school property, and school-sponsored events/activities but not the off-school property.

  • West Virginia Code 18-2C-3 Policy prohibiting harassment intimidation or bullying.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-2c/section-18-2c-3/

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-10. School safety requirements

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-10/

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-9 Crisis Response Plan. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-9/

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-4. Guidelines and procedures for school access safety plans; project evaluation; on-site inspection of facilities.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2021/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-4/

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-3. School access safety plan.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-3/

Prevention resource officers, who are certified police officers acting in their official capacity, may possess weapons in school. School employees or students are not allowed to possess weapons on school grounds.

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia Code 18-2-13. Character education integration.

The state board shall require all public schools that operate from preschool to grade twelve to develop and integrate components of character development into their existing curriculum.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2/section-18-2-13/

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-99. EXPECTED BEHAVIOR IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS (4373).

Each county will implement proactive, preventative, and responsive programs, outline investigatory and reporting procedures, and delineate meaningful interventions and consequences in response to inappropriate behavior.

http://wvde.state.wv.us/healthyschools/Policy4373ExpectedBehaviorsinSafeandSupportiveSchools.htm

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-67-3. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Description.

A proactive, systemic approach to assist students with acquiring attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors is necessary to maximize student success and preparation for various postsecondary options.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-067-comprehensive-school-counseling-programs-2315/section-126-67-3-comprehensive-school-counseling-program-description

West Virginia Code 27-6-1. Dissemination of information.

The Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities shall post suicide prevention awareness information on its website, including recognizing the warning signs of a suicide crisis.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-27/article-6/section-27-6-1/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Teaching/Learning

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-67-5. Delivery Components of Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.

Responsive Services are provided when events and situations in students’ lives or in the school climate and culture impedes student success. Responsive services offer preventive activities and programs to address the identified needs of students in each school, as well as evidence-based interventions to address targeted student needs.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-067-comprehensive-school-counseling-programs-2315/section-126-67-5-delivery-components-of-comprehensive-school-counseling-programs

West Virginia schools must provide individuals with disabilities the support and accommodations they need;

  • West Virginia Administrative Code 18-20-1. Establishment of Special Programs and Teaching Services for Exceptional Children; Modified Diploma Graduation

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-20/section-18-20-1/

  • West Virginia Administrative Code 18-20-1c. Integrated Classrooms Serving Students With Exceptional Needs; and Requirements as to the Assistance, Training and Information to Be Provided to the Affected Classroom Teacher

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-20/section-18-20-1c/

  • West Virginia Administrative Code 18-20-2. Providing Suitable Educational Facilities, Equipment and Services

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-20/section-18-20-2/

 

Who does this protect? Students, students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-52-2. Purpose – Community Schools Framework.

Partners and supports in community schools are carefully selected to develop students with the skills which will not only guide them through their post-secondary and professional careers but will ultimately make them well-rounded and engaged citizens.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-052-community-schools-promoting-health-safety-well-being-and-academic-success-of-students-2425/section-126-52-2-purpose-community-schools-framework

West Virginia Code 18-2E-8. Creating jobs through education.

Providing students in the later grades, including college and other post-secondary education, with activities such as structured community service, apprenticeships, internships, clinical experiences, cooperative education, and other work-site placements, school-based enterprises, workplace simulations, and entrepreneurial development, that provide students with more specific work experience in an occupational area associated with their education major.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2e/section-18-2e-8/

 

Who does this protect? High school students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Interpersonal Relationships

West Virginia Administrative Code 18-10O-3. Purpose.

Outlines measures to increase the awareness and understanding of the history and contributions of people with disabilities in the state, nation, and world by designating the annual observance of the third week of October as Disability History Week.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-10o/section-18-10o-3/

Who does this protect? Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

West Virginia Code 18-2C-3 Policy prohibiting harassment intimidation or bullying.

Provide training on the harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy to school employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2c/section-18-2c-5/

West Virginia Code 18-2-40. Suicide prevention awareness training; dissemination of information.

Those who are closest to students should receive training to increase their ability to better recognize students who may be exhibiting signs that they are at risk of suicide.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2/section-18-2-40/

West Virginia Code 18-2E-12. Mountain State Digital Literacy Project. Provides digital literacy-related professional development and support resources for administrators and teachers.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2e/section-18-2e-12/

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-99. EXPECTED BEHAVIOR IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS (4373).

Training will be provided to employees to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse, recognize the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and provide trauma-informed care.

http://wvde.state.wv.us/healthyschools/Policy4373ExpectedBehaviorsinSafeandSupportiveSchools.htm

West Virginia Code 18-5-15a. Study of multicultural education for school personnel.

County boards of education shall annually provide a program, during at least one non-instructional day of the school term, for the study of multicultural education for all school personnel.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-5/section-18-5-15a/index.html

Who does this protect? Staff, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia Code 18-2-13. Character education integration.

The state board shall require all public schools that operate from preschool to grade twelve to develop and integrate components of character development into their existing curriculum.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2/section-18-2-13/

 West Virginia Administrative Code 126-99. EXPECTED BEHAVIOR IN SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SCHOOLS (4373). Each county will implement proactive, preventative, and responsive programs, outline investigatory and reporting procedures, and delineate meaningful interventions and consequences in response to inappropriate behavior

http://wvde.state.wv.us/healthyschools/Policy4373ExpectedBehaviorsinSafeandSupportiveSchools.htm

 West Virginia Administrative Code 126-67-3. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Description.

A proactive, systemic approach to assist students with acquiring attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors is necessary to maximize student success and preparation for various postsecondary options.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-067-comprehensive-school-counseling-programs-2315/section-126-67-3-comprehensive-school-counseling-program-description

West Virginia Code 27-6-1. Dissemination of information.

The Bureau for Behavioral Health and Health Facilities shall post suicide prevention awareness information on its website, including recognizing the warning signs of a suicide crisis.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-27/article-6/section-27-6-1/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Institutional Environment

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-11A-5. Expectations for Local School Improvement Councils: Desired Outcomes and Results.

Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) key role in establishing and maintaining that reciprocal relationship. Provides a respectful, inclusive school community that welcomes all parents, families, community members, and businesses to participate in all students’ education.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-011a-local-school-improvement-councils-engaging-parents-families-students-business-and-community-in-education-2200/section-126-11a-5-expectations-for-local-school-improvement-councils-desired-outcomes-and-results

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-42-7. County Board of Education Responsibilities.

The county board of education shall ensure that each school has a process to ensure that parents are involved in the school and their child’s education.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-042-assuring-the-quality-of-education-regulations-for-education-programs-policy-2510/section-126-42-7-county-board-of-education-responsibilities

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies.

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-10. School safety requirements

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-10/

  • West Virginia Code 18-9F-9 Crisis Response Plan. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-9f/section-18-9f-9/

Who does this protect? Students, staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

West Virginia Administrative Code 18-10O-3. Purpose.

Increase the awareness and understanding of the history and contributions of people with disabilities in the state, nation, and world by designating the annual observance of the third week of October as Disability History Week.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-10o/section-18-10o-3/

Who does this protect? Students, students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Social media

West Virginia Administrative Code 126-41-4. Digital Citizenship.

All users need to be part of this digital citizenry to appropriately and safely learn, work, play, and live in today’s global society.

https://casetext.com/regulation/west-virginia-administrative-code/agency-126-education/title-126-legislative-rule-board-of-education/series-126-041-safe-and-acceptable-use-of-the-internet-by-students-and-educators-policy-2460/section-126-41-4-digital-citizenship

 West Virginia Code 18-2E-12. Mountain State Digital Literacy Project.

Provides extensive digital literacy content over the internet that may be adapted to age or grade-specific users and assessment tools, and integrates with widely used platforms.

https://law.justia.com/codes/west-virginia/2020/chapter-18/article-2e/section-18-2e-12/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in West Virginia. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in West Virginia. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

Sources include: nasbe.org and childtrends.org