State schools chief talks reform, defends teachers

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- One month into the job, West Virginia Schools Superintendent Jim Phares urged legislators Tuesday to avoid beating up teachers and administrators as they pursue major education changes this session.

Phares reminded the interim House-Senate Education Committee that the state school board has largely endorsed the driving force behind the reform push: a much-discussed audit that contrasted lagging student performance with hefty spending on a system rigid with top-heavy administration and inflexible rules.