H. B. 2807
(By Delegate Andes)
[Introduced March 4, 2013; referred to the
Committee on Education then Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §18-2E-3a of the Code of West Virginia,
1931, as amended, relating to requiring the State Board of
Education to pay annual bonuses of $5,000 to teachers of
advanced placement courses in math or science.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §18-2E-3a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended,
be amended and reenacted, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2E. HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
§18-2E-3a. Honors and advanced placement programs.
(a) The purpose of this section is to provide honors and
advanced placement programs to meet the needs of students who have
the potential and desire to complete curriculum more demanding than
that offered in the regular classroom for their current grade
level. Honors programs are those programs offering courses to
expand the academic content in a given program of study and may
include but shall not be limited to research and in-depth studies,
mentorships, content-focused seminars, and extended learning outcomes instruction in the content area. Advanced placement
programs are those programs offering classes which are advanced in
terms of content and performance expectations of those normally
available for the age/grade level of the student and providing
credit toward graduation and possible college credit. Advanced
placement classes also include those recognized or offered by the
college board, postsecondary institutions and other recognized
foundations, corporations or institutions.
Curriculum approved under this section shall be designed to
advance the achievement of students in the subject area or areas in
which the student has achieved at least two of the following three
criteria: (a) (1) Demonstrated exceptional ability and interest
through past performance; (b) (2) obtained the prerequisite
knowledge and skills to perform honors or advanced placement work;
and (c) (3) recommended by the student's former or present
teachers. Honors and advanced placement curriculum may include
advanced placement courses offered through the college board or
other public or private foundations, corporations, institutions, or
businesses whose courses are generally accepted as leading to
advanced placement or standing in a postsecondary institution,
accelerated instructional courses offered via satellite and other
courses and arrangements, approved by the state board, which
provide students an opportunity to advance their learning above
that offered through the regular curriculum. To the maximum extent
possible, honors and advanced placement courses shall be taught by
a regular classroom teacher. Such The classroom teacher shall have adequate knowledge in the subject area for the instruction of such
an honors or advanced placement course. The state board shall pay
an annual bonus of $5,000 to each teacher who teaches an advanced
placement course in math or science classes. If a teacher, licensed
by the state board, with adequate knowledge in the advanced subject
area is not available, an adjunct teacher or other qualified person
may be employed, contracted for, or shared between schools to
instruct such course: Provided, That the position shall be posted
annually prior to the beginning of the school year immediately
following the school year in which the adjunct teacher or other
qualified person is employed. The state board may grant waivers to
existing certification requirements for an adjunct teacher or other
qualified person who has an earned bachelors degree and has
demonstrated competence in the subject to be taught.
(b) The honors and advanced placement curriculum shall be
phased-in in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) Prior to June 1, 1989, the state board shall establish a
program coordinated through the colleges and universities or some
other entity, to provide training to teachers in the instruction of
honors and advanced placement courses: Provided, That the state
board shall not establish an additional certification area for the
teaching of honors or advanced placement courses.
(2) To assist in the implementation of teacher training for
honors and advanced placement instruction, there shall be an
appropriation to the state board;
(3) On or before June 1, 1989, and each year thereafter, teachers shall be selected to teach honors and advanced placement
courses based upon the teacher's qualifications and academic
interests and the needs of the students. The county boards of
education shall, if necessary, make arrangements for the teachers
to attend a training program;
(4) Beginning in the school year 1990-91, each county board
shall provide in grades nine through twelve honors and advanced
placement courses as provided under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The state board shall designate one employee who is an
expert in the area of higher education financial aid, including,
but not limited to, loans, grants and work studies, to work on a
full-time continuous basis with high school counselors to ensure
that all high school students are informed of the availability of
financial assistance to attend college.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the State Board
of Education to pay annual bonuses of $5,000 to teachers who teach
advanced placement courses in math or science.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.