Marshall County BOE Renews WVNCC Dual Credit Pathways Agreement
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The Marshall County Board of Education unanimously approved the renewal of its agreement with West Virginia Northern Community College for students to receive dual credits at their high school in five career pathways during Tuesday night's meeting.
Through the agreement, John Marshall High School, Cameron High School, Gateway Achievement Center and Marshall County Career Technical Education students can take college credit courses in the dual credit pathways of Early Childhood Care, Patient Care, Welding, Human Services and Business Administration.
Superintendent Shelby Haines said each pathway designates high school classes students can attend that correspond with "equivalent college courses."
"The program provides a lot of good opportunities for students, and many students take advantage of it," Haines noted.
Board President John Miller said the partnership between Marshall County Schools and WVNCC was "good" and that WVNCC President Daniel Mosser had attended past Marshall County school meetings to explain the program.
The board also unanimously approved the renewal of an articulation agreement with WVNCC for college credit, dual-credit and early-entry classes.
Haines noted that the renewal of the college and dual-credit agreement was from last year and that Marshall County Schools had partnered with WVNCC for many years. She added that many students also take advantage of early enrollment classes.
Miller noted that a recent board meeting comment suggested that offering dual credit classes may decrease the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses, which Haines confirmed "sometimes does happen."
"It's really not a reduction in students who are accelerating," Miller said in response to Haines. "It's just a different avenue of acceleration."
Board member Brenda Coffield said the college and dual credit program helped "many students" graduate college early.
Board Vice President Christie Robison added she knew a Waynesburg University student graduating a year and a half early due to the college credits they obtained through AP and dual college credit classes in high school at Marshall County.
Robison said while she initially had "concerns" over whether the student "learned anything" since she had completed college early, she noted the student was "bubbling over" what they had learned.
"They had a wonderful experience with an internship all summer, and they are soaring," Robison added.
Board members also completed their Local School Improvement Council training during yesterday's meeting. State Code requires an LSIC at each public school in West Virginia, with each school's council composed of teachers, service personnel, bus drivers, parents, business and community representatives.
LSICs review discipline data and procedures yearly. They also encourage the school community's involvement in school operations through regular meetings and collaboration with the school system.
"LSICs have a mix of service personnel, professional personnel, parents, community members and students that discuss what is happening at a school and how the school can improve," Haines said. "They consider if there are grants they want to write or have innovative ideas to bring to the schools."
Haines said that Marshall County Schools would make an effort this year to "get the word out to the community" regarding LSICs. She added that "notes would be going home to parents" and increased advertising for each school's LSIC would occur this year.
"We really are making a conscious effort this year to make the election process open to interested people," Haines added. "I think so often you find people who meet the criteria of a parent, bus driver or service personnel who could serve on a council, so it will be nice to see some new people engaged in our schools."
Haines noted that the new legislature requires each school's LSIC to post its meeting minutes on its web page.
"We want to make sure that they're made up of the right people and that they know their goal," Haines said.
Marshall County School's LSIC Fair will be held on Oct. 15 at the Moundsville Center. All Marshall County School LSICs will be present at the fair, where board members and the community can learn about each council's involvement at their school.