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West Virginia University West Virginia Public Education Collaborative

2017 Legislators' Forum

2017 Legislators’ Forum
November 1-2
Charleston, WV

The second annual Legislators’ Forum brought together West Virginia legislators to hold dynamic discussions on addressing the current landscape of education, economic opportunities and the need to nurture the state’s future talent pipeline through the diversification of workforce development. Panelists and speakers honed in on connecting education and the workforce, personalized learning and accessible health services for students and families. 

WVPEC member and Pierpont Community and Technical College President, Johnny Moore, talks to colleagues at the 2017 Legislators' Forum.

WVPEC member and Pierpont Community and Technical College President, Johnny Moore, talks to colleagues at the 2017 Legislators' Forum.

BY THE NUMBERS


82

attendees attended the November 2017 Forum.

24

legislators took part in the November 2017 Forum.

103

leaders joined the Legislators’ Forum November 2017 kickoff dinner.

Key Takeaways

  • Moving West Virginia forward will take collaboration both within the state and with external stakeholders (e.g. corporate partners, neighboring states, etc.).

  • Employers must be actively invited to engage in the education process, and students should be channeled into areas of the workforce where they are most needed.

  • Legislation should focus on aligning post-secondary education with workforce needs, especially those in STEM-related fields.

  • We need to take pockets of innovation and expand them across institutions without killing creativity.

  • Student-centered, personalized learning is one solution to many of the challenges of our current public education system.

  • Teacher education programs need to prepare teachers to work within changing classroom environments and effectively evaluate student progress.

  • Schools can connect with and provide for communities by giving access to counseling and health services and helping students to find the best path forward, whether that is college, technical school, or entering the workforce.

Links to agenda and documents

Program

Policies in Practice

Forum Playlist

Sponsors

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Bowles Rice Attorneys at Law
The Charleston Gazette-Mail
FirstEnergy Corporation
The Hunt Institute
MATRIC
Scott and Carol Rotruck
Vision Shared
West Virginia University Medicine

Watch the Event