Professional Development: Professional Development: Implementation at the West Implementation at the West Virginia Department of Virginia Department of EducationEducation

Dr. Fran WarsingSuperintendent, Office of Institutional Education ProgramsWest Virginia Department of Education

Title I, Part D, PopulationTitle I, Part D, Population

Who are our students?

Incarcerated Youth – approximately 475 students – 2 facilities

Group Home youth – approximately 535 students – 4 facilities

Targeted Student Needs Targeted Student Needs Needs upon Entry

◦ 35% of students enter below grade level in math and reading

◦ Most students enter deficient in high school credits◦ Students had little access to technology prior to

entry Needs upon Exit

◦ Transition back to school - Students return to public school, post secondary education

◦ Transition to employment – Students are highly mobile and lacking in the ability to thrive in society

Title I Services and Title I Services and Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development Served high poverty students – Ruby Payne

training for all teachers

Addressed low level students’ needs – Read 180 training, Learning Focused Strategies (LFS) training

Provided 21st Century Skills – Globaloria, white board and personal responder training

Established learning communities at all schools

Observed OutcomesObserved Outcomes

Use of Learning Focused Strategies (LFS) has improved instruction and teachers have requested more training in this area

Collaborative efforts of teachers working in learning communities has a positive impact on their teaching practices

Better teaching practices result in fewer disciplinary problems in classrooms, allowing more teaching and learning to take place