West Virginia Department of Education

The West Virginia Department of Education is the Charleston-headquartered State Government Agency with responsibility for the functioning of the State’s public school system. As of 2010, the WV Department of Education was administered by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven L. Paine. The general area of oversight provided to the West Virginia Department of Education extends to 834 different educational facilities, including schools at both the elementary and secondary levels.

The Board of Education, as the main source of authority for the WV Department of Education, includes 12 different members, nine of whom are appointed to the post by the Governor. The only sitting members of the WV Department of Education Board, who do not have the power to vote, include the Superintendent of Schools, the Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor and the Community and Technical College Education Chancellor.

West Virginia Department of Education Board members hold their positions for 9-year terms. In addition to providing general public schools, the WV Department of Education's authority also extends to the functioning and funding of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

As of 2010, the primary initiative being directed by the West Virginia Department of Education was in the form of the Global21 Initiative, referred to on the WV Department of Education website as the state’s “21st century learning plan.” The initiative holds a general goal of allowing West Virginia Department of Education students to become “self-directed” and “self-motivated”, and to function successfully in the context of a “digital world.” If you need legal advice and assistance, contact West Virginia lawyers.

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