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Public schools in West Virginia will be closed until at least April 30. Depending on the situation regarding COVID-19, classes may not resume during the current academic year. Even if they do, some parents may be reluctant to send their children to school, because of the coronavirus.
It is time for the state Board of Education to deal with one concern on the minds of many students and parents -- high school graduation.
About 30 states already have altered graduation requirements. In Ohio, the policy is that if a high school senior had been on track to earn a diploma, he or she will receive one. Individual school districts are given the discretion to make the determination for their students.
West Virginia education officials have not yet issued formal guidance on graduation requirements. Clearly, those in place now will not work.
State board of education members should eliminate the uncertainty and approve a temporary policy on the matter. Ohio's may be a good model.
Students and their parents have enough to worry about now without the added concern of whether high school seniors who had expected to graduate will receive their diplomas.