Education (Testing & Assessment)

This bill would require all West Virginia public high school students to pass a state-developed college readiness exam in 10th grade to qualify for public financial aid at West Virginia's public colleges and universities. The State Board of Education must create the exam and set passing standards, allowing students who fail to retake it after a reasonable time. It applies only to publicly available financial aid for public institutions and would take effect for the 2026-2027 school year. The bill does not affect other forms of aid or private institutions.

SB 219 creates a 5-year moratorium (starting July 1, 2026) on closing or consolidating any public school in West Virginia. It directly affects all public schools and their students by preventing closures while requiring the state to provide emergency funding for existing schools through Local School Improvement Councils. The bill mandates the Board of Education to conduct eight specific studies over five years, including tracking school proximity/travel data, implementing an annual safety/climate rating system for schools, validating assessment data, and studying how school size affects student well-being and academic performance. At the end of the moratorium, the Board must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, with the moratorium extending indefinitely if all studies aren't completed.

SB 69 requires West Virginia's public colleges and universities to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a valid standardized test for college admissions, alongside the ACT and SAT. It directly affects students applying to these institutions who take the CLT, ensuring they cannot be forced to take additional tests if they meet the CLT score requirements. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include the CLT in the list of accepted tests, preventing institutions from requiring alternate assessments for admission. This change provides more testing options for applicants without altering the core admission criteria or requirements.

HB 4077 would eliminate standardized testing requirements in all West Virginia public and private schools by directing the State Board of Education to stop administering such tests. The bill takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year and all subsequent years. This change would directly impact every student, teacher, and school administrator in the state by removing a longstanding assessment requirement. The policy shift specifically targets the administration of standardized tests, without specifying alternative evaluation methods.

This bill, SB 216 (Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026), clarifies and updates requirements for private, parochial, and church schools in West Virginia. It mandates these schools to maintain attendance and immunization records, comply with fire/safety inspections, and establish crisis plans. The key provision requires all such schools to administer annually a nationally normed standardized test (matching public school grade/subject requirements) with participation rates equal to public schools, while allowing special education schools alternative assessment methods. Schools must share test results with parents and the state education department upon request. The bill preserves schools' autonomy over curriculum and instruction but formalizes testing and recordkeeping standards.