By Jake Flatley, WV MetroNews
February 14, 2020
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill to implement training for all teachers, school leaders, paraprofessionals and specialized instructional support personnel on ‘trauma-informed practices’ in schools is headed to the House floor.
House Bill 4649, which would do require the state board to provide such training to school staff to better assist students dealing with issues, passed the House Education Committee on a voice vote Thursday.
Those on both sides of the bill spoke before the narrow voice vote.
“With this, if I was better prepared to spot and to assist students who have had traumatic experiences, I think the educational outcome would significantly improve for our students and their overall education and wellbeing,” Delegate Cody Thompson (D-Randolph), a sponsor of the bill, said of his teaching experiences.
The bill text states that the ‘trauma-informed practices’ means evidence-based professional development that promotes a shared understanding that traumatic experiences are common among students.