From 1950 to 1970, West Virginia's population and school enrollment dropped dramatically, with elementary schools losing 22% of their students. The decline was partly offset by the start of public kindergarten in 1973 and fewer high school dropouts. The most controversial element was the closing of high schools and the building of new consolidated schools in areas that had lost the most population. While these new schools offered better facilities and more class options, communities that lost their schools also lost a big part of their self-identities.

In the 1960s and 1970s, new federal programs changed education. These included Head Start for preschoolers from low-income families, Upward Bound for teens, help with reading and math, and Title IX, which banned gender discrimination. Schools also tried new ideas like open classrooms and giving students more freedom and responsibility.