State of West Virginia Archives: on Education
Alex Mooney:
I support school choice programs & home-schooling
Education should primarily be the responsibility of our local governments because they understand the needs of their own communities. For that reason, I support repealing No Child Left Behind,
and removing the federal government from local education decisions. Local teachers should have the freedom to develop their own curriculum to teach children the skills they need to get quality jobs in the 21st century economy.
In addition, I support school choice programs that give low-income families the ability to send their children to quality schools. My wife and I homeschool our two children, and
I believe parents should have the right to make the best education decisions for their children, whether it is a public school, a private school, a charter school or homeschool.
Source: 2014 W.V. House campaign website, MooneyForCongress.com
Nov 4, 2014
Bill Cole:
Pilot program of 10 county-run charter schools
Excerpts from the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:- The Public Charter Schools Act, known as Senate Bill 14, allows for the creation of 10 charter schools in the state within the next 5 years.
- Charter schools are publicly funded schools
that are governed by a group or organization under a contract, or charter, with the county board of education.
- The schools are exempt from certain state regulations, which gives them more flexibility and autonomy in their curriculum and instructional
practices.
- The proposed bill would not require boards of education to create charter schools, but it would give them the option.
- Cabell County already has created a charter school of sorts with the Explorer Academy, through the state's Innovation
Zone initiative. [Some educators] say more Innovation Zones in the state could be the answer, rather than charter schools.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 18-16-0 on March 14; no vote in House. (Bill Cole voted YEA).
Source: Herald-Dispatch on W.V. voting records: SB 14
Feb 19, 2015
Earl Ray Tomblin:
One-time $800 enhancement now; teacher raise later
I know that our teachers deserve a higher salary. But at this moment, we cannot afford additional pay raises that will add to the State budget forever. I am proposing a one-time, $800 across-the-board enhancement for our teachers. This recognizes the hard
work that our teachers put into our system while at the same time does not add to our base budget. Frankly, it should be more and we need to strive for a day when our teachers are paid at a rate equivalent to the most important role they play.
Source: 2011 W.V. State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Earl Ray Tomblin:
All children should read by the end of the 3rd grade
Education Week, in its annual survey, Quality Counts, gave us an F for student achievement, ranking us 49th nationally. Change must begin with our youngest children. If a child cannot read at grade level by the end of the 3rd grade, bad things happen.
They will remain poor readers in high school, and they will be more likely to become high school dropouts. [My proposal]:- Ensure every new elementary teacher is specially trained in reading
- Require every county, within
3 years, to offer full-day 4-year-old preschool
- Establish a process for defining the components and costs of a quality "birth through 5 program".
- And finally, I propose a supplemental appropriation of $17 million to preserve the current
childcare subsidies; to not only assure quality early childhood development, but to help parents keep their jobs.
We want our youngest children to read on grade level by the end of the 3rd grade. But this is just a start.
Source: 2013 State of the State Address to W.V. Legislature
Feb 13, 2013
Jeff Kessler:
More funding for K-12 testing, but also teacher salaries
Kessler indicates support of the following principles regarding education.- Support state education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students.
- Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
-
Require school districts to use excess school aid exclusively for raising teacher salaries.
- Support using a merit pay system for teachers.
- Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
Source: W.V. Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Jeff Kessler:
Prayer in public schools is ok; so is sex ed
Q:Do you support a moment of silence in public schools?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support abstinence-only sexual education programs?
A: No.
Source: W.V. Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2008
Jeff Kessler:
Voted NO on pilot program of 10 charter schools
Excerpts from the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:- The Public Charter Schools Act, known as Senate Bill 14, allows for the creation of 10 charter schools in the state within the next 5 years.
- Charter schools are publicly funded schools
that are governed by a group or organization under a contract, or charter, with the county board of education.
- The schools are exempt from certain state regulations, which gives them more flexibility and autonomy in their curriculum and instructional
practices.
- The proposed bill would not require boards of education to create charter schools, but it would give them the option.
- Cabell County already has created a charter school of sorts with the Explorer Academy, through the state's Innovation
Zone initiative. [Some educators] say more Innovation Zones in the state could be the answer, rather than charter schools.
Status:Bill passed Senate, 18-16-0 on March 14; no vote in House. (Jeff Kessler voted NAY).
Source: Herald-Dispatch on W.V. voting records: SB 14
Feb 19, 2015
Jim Justice:
Pay our teachers what they're worth, to attract the best
As governor, Jim will:- Get the politicians out of the classroom. Jim will remove the politicians from the classroom, and let our teachers teach. As governor, he will listen to our educators on how we can improve West Virginia's schools and make
them nationally competitive.
- Prepare students for a career in West Virginia. Jim is a high school basketball coach and has his teaching certificate. He understands that we cannot cut our way to better schools and that we need to grow the pie by
creating new jobs. Jim will make sure our kids are prepared for a career when they graduate. A strong economy depends on an educated workforce.
- Pay our teachers what they're worth. As governor, Jim will make West Virginia an education powerhouse so
we can attract the best teachers. He believes that we must pay our teachers what they're worth, and that education is the key to repairing the image of our state and attracting new jobs here.
Source: 2016 W.V. governor campaign website JusticeForWV.com
Nov 16, 2015
Jim Justice:
Cool to education savings accounts & charter schools
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos put out a message in support of an education bill being considered in the state Senate. It includes charter schools and education savings accounts, for students leaving public school for private education. Though the
Republican majority in the state Senate has pushed for increased school choice options, Justice has been more reluctant. He has expressed willingness to accept a few charter schools and has been less enthusiastic about education savings accounts.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia gubernatorial race
Jun 2, 2019
Joe Manchin III:
More accountability & more audits in the education system
Manchin brought up the importance of adding more accountability in the education system. "We have to start demanding more and more accountability, responsibility," said Manchin. "There is an audit going on in West Virginia now and
I hope they adopt this audit in the legislature to make the changes that need to be made to improve education in the state of West Virginia."Raese, on the other hand, said that competition is what's good for education.
But he didn't stop there, he added that competition is also good for
America and West Virginia.
Source: West Virginia MetroNews on 2012 W.V. Senate debate
Oct 3, 2012
Joe Manchin III:
Keep public education infrastructure strong
Manchin says the state can and needs to do much better on public education, but he wants to keep public education infrastructure strong. "I don't believe in getting rid of the Department of Education," Manchin said.Raese wants more opportunities
for programs that would allow families a voucher to send their children to private schools, which he says create competition and improve the quality of education. "We don't need a federal education system to set our curriculum," Raese said.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting on 2012 W.V. Senate debate
Oct 3, 2012
John Buckley:
Federal government has no Constitutional role in education
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Vouchers for school choice"?
A: Neutral. I think the federal government has no role under the Constitution in the provision of education.
Source: Email interview on 2014 W.V. Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 5, 2014
John Raese:
Competition is what's good for education
Manchin brought up the importance of adding more accountability in the education system. "We have to start demanding more and more accountability, responsibility," said Manchin. "There is an audit going on in West Virginia now and
I hope they adopt this audit in the legislature to make the changes that need to be made to improve education in the state of West Virginia."Raese, on the other hand, said that competition is what's good for education.
But he didn't stop there, he added that competition is also good for
America and West Virginia.
Source: West Virginia MetroNews on 2012 W.V. Senate debate
Oct 3, 2012
John Raese:
Allow families a voucher to send kids to private schools
Manchin says the state can and needs to do much better on public education, but he wants to keep public education infrastructure strong. "I don't believe in getting rid of the Department of Education," Manchin said.Raese wants more opportunities
for programs that would allow families a voucher to send their children to private schools, which he says create competition and improve the quality of education. "We don't need a federal education system to set our curriculum," Raese said.
Source: West Virginia Public Broadcasting on 2012 W.V. Senate debate
Oct 3, 2012
Patrick Morrisey:
Endorsed by Home School Legal Defense Association
Senate candidate Patrick Morrisey was endorsed by conservative activist group, the Home School Legal Defense Association Political Action Committee (HSLDA PAC). In a letter to the Morrisey campaign, the HSLDA PAC director said:"[We both support]
home school freedom for families across the country. You have proven your dedication to our Constitution and to freedom itself during your tenure as West Virginia Attorney General.
We know that you will bring these values and your dedication to the people of West Virginia to the United States Senate."
In response,
Morrisey said: "I am humbled by the endorsement of HSLDA PAC and welcome them to our team. As West Virginia's next Senator, I will be a fighter for parents' rights and a strong conservative voice for all West Virginians."
Source: 2018 W.V. Senatorial campaign website PatrickMorrisey.com
Oct 13, 2017
Stephen Noble Smith:
Create 100 public "Entrepreneurial Schools"
We will broadly invest in public education so our kids get the support they need to become productive, creative worker. Specifically, we'll also train up a generation of entrepreneurs. EntreEd, the nation's leading entrepreneurship education program,
was founded in West Virginia. We will work with EntreEd, educators, small business owners, and private foundations to set the goal of making 100 West Virginia public schools certified as "America's Entrepreneurial Schools" in the next 5 years.
Source: 2020 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website WVCantWait.com.com
Jan 24, 2020
Stephen Noble Smith:
Index pay for teachers and tie it to inflation
We must index pay for West Virginia teachers, substitutes, and school service personnel to our highest-paying neighbors and tie that payscale to inflation. Include competitive benefits for professional and service personnel including low or no co-pay
healthcare, mental health services at 100% coverage, and affordable dental/vision insurance for every public school employee. Give retired teachers and school service personnel cost-of-living raises tied to inflation.
Source: 2020 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website WVCantWait.com.com
Jan 24, 2020
Stephen Noble Smith:
Support technical education & apprenticeship programs
Making West Virginia the best place in the country for technical education by funding all higher education (apprenticeships, colleges, technical college, certificates), encouraging expansion of Simulated Workplace, and developing flagship career
education and "early college" programs that unite high schools, technical colleges, and apprenticeship programs to give West Virginia students a leg up when it comes to access to technical education.
Source: 2020 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website WVCantWait.com.com
Jan 24, 2020
Woody Thrasher:
For charter schools; not sure on education savings accounts
"In business, competition breeds better results, so I don't think there's anything wrong with having charter schools. I think it makes sense, and 44 other states have agreed with that." When it comes to Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), however,
Thrasher has not yet taken a position."This is a much more controversial issue because I think there's a reasonable argument that takes funds away from local school boards," he said.
Source: W.V. MetroNews on 2020 West Virginia Gubernatorial race
Jun 16, 2019
Jim Justice:
Make all curriculum available online for parents to see
We must ensure that schools have the responsibility to the students and the parents and not to a bunch of special interest groups. All of our parents deserve to know exactly what's going on in a classroom. Without any question, our parents have
always known what the best is for their kids.Tonight I am proposing a bill to direct school systems to make all curriculum taught be available online where we can see every single thing that's being put into our little kids' heads.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the W.V. legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Patrick Morrisey:
Successfully defended the state's school choice laws
He was a leading advocate of bringing constitutional carry to West Virginia citizens, led the effort to successfully defend the state's
school choice laws (one of the broadest in the country), and set up the first-ever Disability Fraud Unit in the state over Republican and Democratic opposition.
Source: 2024 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website PatrickMorrisey.com
Jun 21, 2023
JB McCuskey:
Empower students and families: flexibility over bureaucracy
For too long, priorities have been misplaced, causing education to take a back seat to bureaucracy.
We must provide children with the foundation they need to succeed in an increasingly global economy.
These skills, and a solid foundation, provide the crucial piece of infrastructure that job creators seek when determining where to locate their businesses.If elected, I will always work to empower students, their families and their teachers.
I will never succumb to special interest groups or their agendas that distract from the goal and will always vote to give schools the flexibility they need to make our kids' success the priority.
Source: 2024 W.V. Governor campaign website McCuskeyForWV.com
Jan 1, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026