The Fayette Tribune, Oak Hill, W.Va.

Local News

August 8, 2012

New schools position created for curriculum, instruction

By C.V. Moore Register-Herald Reporter

FAYETTEVILLE — The superintendent of Fayette County Schools, Keith Butcher, announced Wednesday the school system will create a new county-level position, that of associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction.

“This position is needed in order to provide more support and leadership for improving student outcomes,” Butcher stated.

The work of the associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction will be focused on continuous school improvement, curriculum and instruction.

When the West Virginia State Department of Education intervened in Fayette County Schools in 2010, the Office of Education Performance Audits (OEPA) cited curriculum as a “major deficit area,” and one of the reasons for recommending intervention.

The OEPA’s statement called the county’s high school curriculum “weak and thin, characterized by inefficiencies and ineffectiveness.”

Butcher said he’s aware the new position could be controversial, since some already criticize the county office for absorbing too many resources in personnel.

Nevertheless, he stands by his decision, identifying several reasons for the addition of the position.

The 2011 Fayette County state assessment results indicated that fewer than 40 percent of elementary, middle and high school students were proficient in mathematics and fewer than 40 percent of middle and high school students were proficient in reading.

Based on the state assessment results for the WESTEST and other indicators such as attendance and graduation rate, the West Virginia Department of Education determines annually whether elementary, middle and high schools have made adequate yearly progress.

In 2007, two of 20 Fayette County schools failed to make adequate yearly progress; in 2011, 13 schools failed to make adequate yearly progress.

In both 2010 and 2011, the county average of students graduating from high school was below the state target of 80 percent and the percent of Fayette County students entering college who are required to take one or more remedial course was above 40 percent.

“Increasing student engagement and improving student performance will take the support of educators, parents and the community,” said Butcher.

Currently, Anna Kincaid-Cline serves as director of curriculum, secondary, and career tech for the county, as well as having other student discipline responsibilities. There is currently no position exclusively focused on curriculum.

— E-mail: cmoore@register-herald.com

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