HB 4953 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

To require all West Virginia high school students to pass a Civics examination and the United States Naturalization Examination

HB 4953 requires all West Virginia high school students to pass a civics examination and the U.S. Naturalization Examination as a prerequisite for graduation. This bill directly affects all public, private, parochial, and denominational high school students in West Virginia who are nearing graduation. Key provisions mandate that schools teach U.S. government history, civics, and the Constitution (as outlined in §18-2-9), provide standardized tests aligned with these standards, and make the two exams mandatory for graduation. The bill does not change existing curriculum requirements but adds the passing of these specific exams as a new graduation requirement.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 29, 2026 Last action Jan 29, 2026
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Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
2
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
To House Education
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Committee
To Education
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors