Here is a bar graph to represent the State of West Virginia’s Math scores compared to the national scores for the past seventeen years. As you can tell from the graph there are just a few numbers that separate us from the national average. We have only exceeded the national average once in the 1996. As we look at these figures there definitely needs to be something done to help better our students so they can be above the national average. We have been pretty steady and need some more funding to help improve the students in this subject area. We need to set up programs so the students will want to learn and succeed to help improve these scores. When you put a standardized test in front of some students they just freeze up. There needs to be a program after school, before school, and time during the day that doesn’t take away from their instruction to help them with what they are struggling with and help them improve their test scores. In order for this to take place we will have to pay teachers to help the students and get the materials required to help them, therefore, I am asking that you consider funding our program. This will not only benefit our students but if it works it could benefit the state. This would bring our score up to par to the national average. Please consider this, because whether or not you have children in the school system you know of someone that does, and would want them to succeed not only in school but in life.