West Virginia Code of State Rules › 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 126-42-5 - Middle School Programming

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
5.1. Foundations
				for High Quality Developmentally Appropriate Middle School Programming (Grades
				6-8).
5.1.a. Middle School Programming builds
				on the results of Pre-K through Grade 5 programming and transitions students
				into the high school program. Successful middle school programs are
				characterized by a culture that is inviting, inclusive, and supportive of all.
				Significant academic learning experiences are the norm and are characterized by
				rigorous content, vigorous instruction, and high expectations for all learners
				within a developmentally appropriate, safe, and supportive school. The middle
				school experience is challenging, exploratory, integrative, and relevant.
				Middle school educators use multiple learning and teaching approaches resulting
				in authentic engagement in active, purposeful learning. Students learn to
				understand important concepts, develop essential skills, and apply what they
				learn to real-world problems. The environment and culture of middle school
				should lead to every student having meaningful supportive relationships with at
				least one trusted adult advocate who is familiar with the student's academic
				development and personal goals. Such a learning community of both adults and
				students produces a stable and mutually respectful relationship that supports
				students' personal, intellectual, ethical, and social growth.
Chart IV: Grades 6-S
								Standards-focused Instruction
Middle school programs of study shall be taught by
								a team of qualified teachers. A diverse set of developmentally appropriate
								instructional strategies will scaffold students to mastery of the grade level
								content standards. The principal and a team of teachers will determine an
								adequate amount of time necessary to achieve mastery of the approved content
								standards for each course to effectively address the academic needs of all
								students in numeracy and the literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking and
								listening, and language in all content areas.
Content Areas
Required Courses for each Grade
								Level
Additional Information and Related WVBE
								Policies
English Language Arts (ELA)
ELA 6
ELA 7
ELA 8 or
ELA 6 and Readings
ELA 7 and Reading 7
ELA 8 and Reading 8
To address literacy needs counties may choose to
								utilize a separate course code for reading in addition to the required ELA
								course. English Language Arts (Policy 2520.1A)
Mathematics
Math 6 Math 7 Maths
Math 8 Substitutions: High School Algebra 1 for
								8th Graders High School Math 1 for
								8th Graders Mathematics (Policy 2520.2B)
Science
Science 6 Science 7 Science 8
Science (Policy 2520.3C)
Social Studies
Social Studies 6 Social Studies 7 WV Studies
								8
Social Studies (Policy 2520.4)
Career Exploration
Note: Counties will implement a comprehensive
								Career Exploration middle school experience. This experience may include but it
								is not limited to Career Technical Education (CTE) Exploratory Courses,
								stand-alone Career Exploration Courses, and mini courses (e.g.. Home Economics,
								Home Repair, Robotics, etc.), field trips, guest speakers, and career
								mentors.
Embedded Career
Exploration 6-8
or
Career Exploration 6
Career Exploration 7
Career Exploration 8
or
Future Careers 6-8
Regional Careers 6-8
Discover Your Future
6-8
or
Career Exploration
6-8
In accordance with W. Va. Code § 18-9D-19a,
								comprehensive middle schools must provide learning opportunities where students
								are provided: a comprehensive curriculum with embedded career exploration and
								project-based career activities; career development and counseling; and
								learning and life connection experiences for all students. All students will
								receive structured, on-going experiences for career awareness, exploration,
								decision-making, instructional Career and Technical Education (CTE) practices
								and career preparation exposing students to all 16 career clusters. Career
								development must include career exploration, entrepreneurial experiences,
								and/or Simulated Workplace learning for all students in Grades 6, 7, and 8.
								Students must document a personalized career portfolio that is transportable
								throughout the student's middle and high school career. Students may utilize
								career exploration, the Lexile® Career Database, CTE Exploratory Courses,
								Career Cruising®, and multiple learning activities to guide education and
								career planning.
Computer Science
Note: Integrated Technology and Computer Science
								will be delivered within all content areas
Integrated Technology and Computer Science
								6-8
Discovering Computer Science or a county-created
								computer science course
Students will be provided regular opportunities
								within the context of other coursework to master the 6-8 technology and
								computer science standards. Students will be provided sufficient opportunities
								in digital literacy, computer science, and technology skills to meet the 6-8
								standards by the end of Grade 8. Technology and Computer Science (Policy
								2520.14)
Music
Music 6-8 or Music 6 Music 7 Musics
Grade-band and/or individual courses for Grades 6-8
								in general music, choral, and instrumental music (band or orchestra) will be
								offered to all students during the middle school experience. Chorus or
								instrumental music may be substituted for a general music course at each grade
								level. The Arts (Music and Visual Art) (Policy 2520.9)
Visuai Art
Visual Art 6-8 or Visual Art 6 Visual Art 7 Visual
								Art 8
Grade-band or individual courses for Grades 6-8 in
								visual art will be offered to all students during the middle school experience.
								The Arts (Music and Visual Art) (Policy 2520.9)
Weiiness Education
Note: Schools not having the number of certified
								physical teachers or required physical setting may develop alternate programs
								that will enable current staff and physical settings to be used to meet the
								physical education requirements. Alternate programs shall be submitted to the
								WVDE for approval.
Wellness Education 6 or PE 6 and Health 6
Wellness Education 7 or PE 7 and Health 7
Wellness Education 8 or PE8and Health 8
Wellness Education:
Includes both
								physical education and health standards that must be taught each year in Grades
								6-8. Physical education, including physical exercise and age-appropriate
								physical activities, must be provided the equivalent of at least one full
								period of each school day of one semester of the school year (W. Va. Code
								§ 18-2-7a). At least 50 percent of class time for physical education will
								be spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity.
Physical Activity:
Opportunities will
								be provided for an additional 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous integrated
								physical activity daily to keep students physically active throughout the
								school year. Wellness Education (Policy 2520.5)
World Languages
A course in the same World Language is required to
								be offered for students in Grade 7 and Grade 8. Offering a World Language
								course in Grade G is encouraged.
Counties may offer a high school credit-bearing
								World Language course in place of World Language in Grade 7 and Grade 8. World
								Languages (Policy 2520.7)
Social and Emotional Advisory System for
								Student Success
Through a Comprehensive School Counseling Program,
								middle schools will implement a continuous advisory system that provides
								students with meaningful supportive relationships and maximizes each student's
								personalized learning experience.
The advisory system will be evidence- and
								standards-based to systemically address Policy 2520.19 and include the
								development of each student's Personalized Education Plan (PEP) (see Appendix
								D), career portfolio, social emotional, and other skills that enhance school
								success, and build competent, engaged citizens. K - 12 Student Success
								Standards (Policy 2520.19)