West Virginia School Board Association

State Superintendent of Schools, Michele Blatt, addressed lawmakers at the Education Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, highlighting an unforeseen consequence of the Third Grade Success Act, a significant education bill from the 2023 Legislative Session. This legislation has led to a significant shift in staffing within special education classrooms.  Under the provisions of the bill, many first-grade classrooms now require specially-trained aides to improve reading and math scores among students. Superintendent Michele Blatt informed the commission that this change has resulted in a notable shift in personnel, with a staggering 41% of special education aides transitioning to first-grade classrooms.  Data collected from 48 out of 55 counties revealed that 249 aides had transitioned to these new positions, as reported by Blatt.