HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78
(By Delegates M. Poling, Paxton, Perry, Pethtel, Duke, Moye,
Rodighiero, Romine, Lawrence, Williams, Smith, Stowers,
Ireland, Louisos, D. Walker, Shott, Rowan, Ennis, Fragale,
Crosier, Beach, Andes, Shaver, Sumner and Canterbury.)
[Originating in the Committee on Education]
(February 25, 2010)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to
conduct a study on providing adequate time in the school day
reserved for teacher planning and preparation.
Whereas, Teacher planning and preparation are the key to
effective teaching and W. Va. Code §18-4-14 provides teachers a
planning period time of one class period each instructional day,
but not less than thirty minutes, during which they may not be
assigned any duties; and
Whereas, The additional duties of teachers including, but
not limited to, supervising students, IEP meetings, SAT meetings,
and professional training meetings, increasingly infringe upon
the limited planning period time currently reserved during the
instructional day solely for teachers to complete necessary
planning and preparation for the instruction of pupils; and
Whereas, Teacher planning and preparation are becoming
increasingly important and time consuming with the emphasis on
integrating technology into teaching and learning and utilizing
project-based instruction, problem solving, teamwork and other
instructional strategies designed to actively engage students and improve learning; and
Whereas, T
ime within the school day for collaborative
teacher planning and preparation to improve instruction and
learning including, but not limited to, reviewing student
academic performance based on multiple measures, identifying
strategies to improve student academic performance, and planning
and preparation to implement the needed improvements is
increasingly being recognized as a valuable tool for improving
education
; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to conduct a study on providing adequate time in the
school day reserved for teacher planning and preparation; and be
it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance is requested to report to the regular session of the
Legislature, 2011, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation
necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct
this study, to prepare a report and draft necessary legislation
are requested to be paid from legislative appropriations to the
Joint Committee on Government and Finance.