West Virginians for Education Reform was established in 2009 to encourage innovation, change and choice in the West Virginia public education system. The WVER is a group of students, teachers, parents, business people and community leaders that are dedicated to provide every West Virginia student with the best possible education.

The West Virginians for Education Reform believes that students in West Virginia need a public "choice" in their education. WVER is promoting charter school legislation to give West Virginia students "choice" in their education. We believe charter schools provide an alternative for students that need a different environment to learn that is free from bureaucratic polices that stand in the way of them receiving the best education possible. Charter schools empower teachers to have more flexibility that allows them to ensure that every student succeeds.

We are asking all West Virginians to stand with us and promote public choice and charter schools in West Virginia. Please take a look around our site to see how you can help.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     CONTACT:    Ben Adams

April 20, 2010                                                          West Virginians for Education Reform

                                                                              (304) 542-1196

STATEMENT BY WEST VIRGINIANS FOR

EDUCATION REFORM REGARDING WVBOE

EDUCATION PLAN

Charleston, WV – Ben Adams, student leader for West Virginians for Education Reform (WVER), issued the following statement regarding the release of a plan yesterday by the West Virginia Board of Education (WVBOE) to improve education opportunities and increase West Virginia’s chances of competing for federal Race to the Top grants:

“We want to thank the WVBOE for clearly putting a lot of thought and effort into their plan, ‘It’s ALL About the Kids,’ and for putting forth the Charter Innovation Zone 2.0 proposal.  The Charter Innovation Zones 2.0 concept is very similar to public charter schools as they exist in 39 other states, where they have proven to boost student achievement and foster innovation, accountability and local control.  This proposal will also help West Virginia earn millions in federal education dollars that will benefit all public school students.

“While we support the efforts made by the WBOE to create Charter Innovation Zones 2.0, we would like the governor and legislature to consider some additional components of strong public charter school legislation that have been very successful in other states when considering this issue up in  special session, likely in May.  Public charter schools should serve as laboratories of reform where successful changes can be applied to the broader public school system.  In order to do that, they must be given freedom to innovate in curriculum and personnel.  Teachers, parents and students need to be provided the opportunity for greater choice and flexibility in exchange for greater accountability.

“WVER looks forward to continuing to work with everyone who is interested in improving educational opportunities for West Virginia students and families.”