Open Learning WV helps students save $9.6 million on course materials, expands to all public colleges and universities

Since its launch in 2021, Open Learning WV has helped West Virginia college students save an estimated $9.6 million on course materials by promoting the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), which are low- or no-cost instructional materials that replace traditional, costly textbooks. This state-led initiative, spearheaded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, continues to drive affordability, accessibility, and innovation across the state’s higher education system.

With a return on investment of $18 for every $1 in grant funding, Open Learning WV is proving to be a powerful tool in the effort to lower college costs. The initiative has now achieved full participation from 100 percent of the state’s public colleges and universities, with 527 courses transitioned to OER and 307 faculty members redesigning their classes using these resources.

To date, the Commission has awarded 662 grants to faculty members to support the development and implementation of OER materials. These resources include free or affordable textbooks, workbooks, and digital tools that ensure every student has immediate and equitable access to course content.

In a survey of nearly 13,000 participating students, 98 percent reported that the OER course materials were easy to access, and 91 percent said having low- or no-cost options is important to their academic success.

Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education, applauded the program’s momentum and outcomes, stating, “Open Learning WV is more than a cost-saving initiative – it’s a pathway to more accessible education. These savings represent real impact for thousands of West Virginia students who might otherwise struggle to afford their course materials. We’re incredibly proud of the faculty and institutions leading this work, and we’re excited to keep building on this progress.”

Demonstrating continued commitment to the initiative, the Commission recently brought together higher education partners from across the state for a convening to reflect on progress and map out next steps. During the event, two leaders in the OER movement were honored:

• Educator Award: Professor David Stoffel from West Virginia Northern Community College, recognized for more than a decade of innovation in OER.

• Leadership Award: Professor Katherine Bowe from Concord University, celebrated for her role in advancing OER adoption in mathematics.

In 2019, the West Virginia Legislature passed a bill encouraging the use of OER to reduce financial burdens on students. As a result of this policy and thanks to a more than $1 million collaboration that began with a seed grant from the Ascendium Education Group, the Commission launched Open Learning WV to provide grants for faculty to use OER in their courses. Building on these investments, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito secured $433,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending funds for additional faculty grants and the development of an online repository to give students and faculty free and expanded access to OER materials developed across the state. 

As Open Learning WV continues to grow, the Commission remains committed to supporting faculty and institutions in their efforts to make higher education more affordable, accessible, and student-centered. Faculty interested in learning more about Open Learning WV can visit https://wvclimb.com/about-oer/ or contact the Higher Education Policy Commission at 304-558-2101.