| By Bob Weaver
The West Virginia Board of Education has identified 100 low-performing state schools for special assistance in closing learning gaps.
While Calhoun Middle-High School was identified in 2011 as the worst performing school in the Mountain State under No Child Left Behind standards, the school was not one of the 100 Priority or Focus schools to receive special assistance.
Lisa Cordeiro, Executive Director, Office of Communications of the WV Department of Education, says the possible reason for not being selected as one of the Priority or Focus schools in West Virginia needing special help with learning gaps is because the standards have been changed from No Child Left Behind.
Commenting on Priority and Focus schools, state Superintendent of Schools Jim Phares said, "This is a whole new ballgame for the student achievement accountability process in West Virginia...It is not just about the number of students meeting proficiency levels but instead how large of a learning gap exists between student groups."
Some West Virginia schools that are among the lowest 5 percent of Title I schools based on school-wide student achievement and a historical lack of progress over three years have reportedly been given special attention.
West Virginia has received approval from the U.S. Department of Education to launch a new student achievement and school accountability system.
The NCLB waivers allow West Virginia to use its own accountability system to more effectively identify struggling schools.
REGIONAL PRIORITY SCHOOLS:
Braxton: Braxton County High School
REGIONAL FOCUS SCHOOLS:
Clay: Clay Elementary
Braxton: Flatwoods Elementary
Roane: Geary Elementary, Spencer Middle School | 
