Children of the 21st century have grown up in a world with the Internet, computers, video games and cell phones.

This “digital native” generation has an appetite for information technology and the world is adjusting to meet their needs.

At last nights regular meeting, the Raleigh County Board of Education said they’re taking all steps necessary to ensure its students receive an education congruent with Global 21 — a learning plan the West Virginia state board of education has implemented.

The state says Global 21 is a “bold acknowledgment” that West Virginia must change how its schools operate and children learn.

They say in order for West Virginia graduates to get a job in today’s culturally diverse world, they need to make fundamental changes.

“The WESTEST 2 has increased in rigor probably twofold from what the old WESTEST was,” said Nelson Spencer, Raleigh County’s director of secondary education.

Spencer says parents and students need to be readied for the changes.

Under Global 21, West Virginia has implemented what they call, a “world-class rigor” to Math, Science, English and other core subjects.

They’ve developed a new, more challenging assessment to the WESTEST 2 and aligned state standards with national standards in the National Assessment for Education Progress (NAEP), ACT, and SAT, as well as with international standards in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS).

Raleigh County education officials say they’ll be taking numerous steps to meet Global 21.

“We need to look at things like is block scheduling the best? Is it not the best? Do we need to look at a modified block or do we need to not touch it at all,” Spencer said.

“We need to form some type of committee to look at this. Everyone has their opinion of what works best and they’re judging that on one or two teachers in a system. We need to look at scientific research that’s been done comparing those different models of scheduling before we make any moves at all.”

Spencer says the county also needs to look at course offerings.

“Are these going to be skills the students absolutely need or are these skills going to be obsolete," he said.

“Everyone understands and can see that the world is changing. The economy is changing, technology is changing — education is changing right along with it.”

The board discussed the possibility of moving students into the Academy of Careers and Technology programs earlier.

Currently, students are eligible in their junior and senior years.

“There’s a variance at that school and sometimes we think there is not. It’s only for students mastery and below. That is definitely not the case,” Spencer said.

“Look at the engineering program over there. You had better know your mathematics before you enter that classroom.”

The county discussed distance learning, the development of pacing guides, providing educators with necessary tools and professional development.

In other news:

n The board voted 5-0 in favor of the 2009-2010 school calendar.

The first day for students will be Wednesday, Aug. 26. Teachers will begin Aug. 21.

Students will get November 25-27 off for Thanksgiving and December 24 through January 1 for Christmas break.

Students will be given Monday, April 5 through Friday, April 9, 2010 off for Spring Break.

The last day for students is scheduled for June 1, 2010. The last day for teachers is June 9, 2010.

n The board approved a bid for a four classroom addition at Shady Spring Middle School.

They also voted in favor of an agreement with Hilltop Center for the LPN students at the Academy of Careers and Technology.

n Board members recognized winners of the Raleigh County Math Field Day. First place winners include: Wil Mullins, Stanaford Elementary School; Austin Cobble, Shady Spring Elementary School; Jamie Rose, Park Middle School; Luke Stover, Trap Hill Middle School; John Bair, Shady Spring Middle School; Larry Miller, Woodrow Wilson High School; and Yiping Wang, Woodrow Wilson High School.

First, second and third place winners of the Raleigh County Math Field Day competed in the Regional Math Field Day at Concord University April 4th.

Several Raleigh County Students won first place in regionals including Wil Mullins, Stanaford Elementary School; Keegan Rose, Maxwell Hill Elementary School; Jamie Rose, Park Middle School; and Aniket Zinzuadia, St. Frances De Sales School.

These students will compete in the state competition Saturday, April 28th.

n The board will conduct a public hearing on the proposed 2009-2010 budget Tuesday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at the central office. The proposed budget will be posted on the county’s Web site Friday.

The next regular meeting is May 12 at 5:30 p.m.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com