West Virginia’s Senate Speaker has emphasized a focus on public schools along with leadership changes on the Senate Education Committee this week.

Mason County Classroom Instructor Sen. Amy Nicole Grady will replace Patricia Rucker as the new chair. Both are Republicans.

“Patricia Rucker has played an important role and we have done almost everything we can for homeschooling, charter schools, micro-schools, Hope scholarships, all alternative forms of education, but now it is time for public education. It’s time to dig deep, West Virginia,” Senate Speaker Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, said this week.

Organizations focused on classrooms in West Virginia today are looking at what this shift means.

“I came into this class in the hope that I would be able to use the knowledge I learned in the classroom in the best possible way, and I am pleased that the President of the Senate has said that he intends to focus on public education. The president felt that I would be the best to direct it to WMOV Radio.

Grady agreed that classroom experience would help the school board review West Virginia’s public education laws.

“I think this is really important and irreplaceable because I have colleagues around me who can bounce ideas off of me, not just my own experiences. The way to do it is to talk to people who are obsessed with it,” she said.

“Everything should be student-centered and student-centered.

Dale Lee, president of the West Virginia Education Association, said he was happy to hear Grady was ready to hear from educators.

“It’s refreshing to have a public school educator chair the Senate Education Committee,” Lee said. “During the last few sessions, we have had a discussion about homeschooling and private schooling. I would like to speak to an educator who is an expert in

Lee said he kept in candid contact with Grady after he was elected to the Senate in 2020.

“Like everyone else, we have sometimes disagreed on some issues, but Senator Grady is willing to listen and is willing to seek the voice and input of public educators. “Okay,” he said. “All anyone can ask for is to have that voice.”

Fred Albert, president of the West Virginia Association of American Teachers, said he appreciated the shift in emphasis from the “school choice” initiative to the public school system.

“It was great to hear that she believes listening to people in the trenches is the best mechanism for positive change for students and educators. We look forward to communicating openly and working together to improve public education.”

While Grady acknowledged the focus on public schools, he said work on other aspects of West Virginia’s education system is far from complete.

“I completely, 100% support school choice. My vote shows that. I think it’s really important to offer choices to students and parents,” she told MetroNews. talk line”.

“But equally important is ensuring that students and parents who choose public education have the opportunities they need.”

Grady explained that he was open to ideas, but didn’t specify any specific policy points.

“It’s only been a few days since it was announced, so I haven’t sat down and written an agenda,” she said. “And there are some ideas that I’m reluctant to state exactly what they are at this point. I promise to let you know as soon as it falls.

Selected by WV Senate President Craig Blair @AmyNicholeGrad2 To replace Patricia Rucker as chairman of the new Senate Education Committee.Grady talks @HoppyKerchevalwhat she plans to accomplish or work on in this new position; Watch: https://t.co/yCFQ3nDJuy pic.twitter.com/810rf1Bjbl

— Metro News (@WVMetroNews) September 1, 2022

Rucker this week announced plans to challenge Senate President Blair. proposed a bill to establish micro-schools where children can learn in small groups.

The Charter Schools Act was part of a package of education bills that included wage increases, increased school support staff, free enrollment, incentives to fill in-demand jobs, and financial assistance to small or struggling counties. .

“There is no doubt about the positive impact that Senator Rucker’s leadership has had on the trajectory of West Virginia’s education system. Countless families have benefited for generations from her vision and leadership. There is no doubt our state is doing better thanks to Senator Rucker’s position as chairman of the Senate Education Committee,” said Cardinal, who advocates for more flexible school options. said Garrett Barenzi, Executive Director of the Institute.

“I look forward to working with Senator Grady to advance an education system that works for all children, regardless of household income, neighborhood, neighborhood or zip code. We are making great strides and that progress must be sustained.”