Teaching Scholarship Shows Results After Seven Years

September 15, 2026 - 02:40

After seven years, the Underwood Smith Teaching Scholarship is starting to produce educators for West Virginia. Lawmakers received an update on the program, which was created to address persistent shortages in high-needs subject areas across the state.

The scholarship covers tuition and fees for students who commit to teaching in subjects where schools struggle to find qualified instructors. These include math, science, special education, and certain career and technical fields. In exchange for the funding, recipients agree to teach in West Virginia schools for a set number of years after graduation.

Officials told the legislature that the first cohorts of scholarship recipients are now entering classrooms. Early data suggests the program is helping fill positions that have gone unfilled or been staffed by temporary hires. Several districts report that scholarship graduates have taken jobs in rural areas where recruitment has been especially difficult.

Lawmakers asked about retention rates and whether graduates are staying in the state beyond their required service period. Education officials said they are tracking that data and expect to have a clearer picture in the coming years. Some legislators raised questions about expanding the program to cover additional subject areas or increasing the number of awards.

The update comes as schools across West Virginia continue to face hiring challenges. Supporters say the scholarship offers a long-term solution by growing local talent rather than relying on out-of-state recruitment. The program is named for two former educators and has been funded through a mix of state appropriations and private donations.