Education

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 215: Creating WV Constitutional Schools Act of 2026

SB 215, the West Virginia Constitutional Schools Act of 2026, requires public schools in West Virginia to implement daily prayer or meditation time, include a specific pledge honoring both U.S. and West Virginia flags, and provide students and parents with the state constitution for review. It mandates removing mandatory state "Next Generation" curriculum standards by the 2026/2027 school year, allowing districts to choose classical or locally developed standards instead. The bill also replaces statewide standardized testing with district-level testing choices, offers national assessments like the SAT or CLT for parents, and limits statewide testing to random samples for policy research. These changes directly affect all public K-12 schools in West Virginia beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates removal of mandatory state curriculum standards, directly limiting educational requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4544: To create a homeless education coordinator in urban and rural counties.

HB 4544 creates a new "homeless education coordinator" position in West Virginia counties designated by the state board as urban counties. The bill directly affects homeless students by requiring these coordinators to assist them in accessing and maintaining school enrollment. Key provisions mandate the state board to designate urban counties for this role and establish the coordinator's duty to help homeless students navigate school systems and address barriers to attendance. The bill amends education code sections to implement this position, focusing on concrete administrative change rather than broader policy shifts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates homeless education coordinator role to assist students in accessing/maintaining school enrollment, directly enhancing educational access for vulnerable K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 29, 2026

HB 4946: Authorizing a pilot program for a four day school week

HB 4946 authorizes West Virginia counties to test a four-day school week through a two-year pilot program approved by the State Board of Education. It requires counties to submit detailed plans ensuring students receive sufficient instructional time (meeting state standards), preserving teacher planning/collaboration time (at least 40 minutes daily for elementary), and maintaining school calendar approvals. The program must focus solely on improving student learning, with the State Board reviewing proposals to confirm they align with educational goals. This affects all West Virginia public school counties seeking to experiment with reduced school days while maintaining academic requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes four-day week pilot with requirements for sufficient instructional time, teacher planning, and learning improvement - directly advancing K-12 education structure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 217: Creating Community Schools Funding Formula Revision Act

SB 217 (Creating Community Schools Funding Formula Revision Act) requires the West Virginia Department of Education to review school closures and consolidations considered during the current year and the previous four fiscal years. Within 180 days, the department must propose changes to the School Aid Formula designed to prevent at least 80% of those closures, regardless of prior district decisions based on financial or operational factors. The bill directly affects school districts facing closure threats due to budget constraints. It mandates a specific review period (5 years), a concrete prevention target (80%), and a strict timeline (180 days) for formula adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates revision of school funding formula to prevent closures, directing budget resources to maintain public education funding without reducing allocations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents school closures by revising funding formula to protect educational access and stability, directly advancing school funding protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 19, 2026

SB 504: West Virginia Rural School Protection Act

SB 504, the West Virginia Rural School Protection Act, prevents the closure or consolidation of qualifying rural schools by requiring county boards to follow strict new procedures. It applies to schools in counties with under 100 people per square mile, those causing students to exceed 15 road miles or 30 minutes one-way transportation, or the sole school in an area. Key requirements include a detailed impact statement (showing transportation times, enrollment trends, and cost comparisons), a two-thirds board vote, and voter approval via statewide election or petition-triggered referendum. The bill also mandates mitigation plans for affected students and creates a state funding weight to support rural schools. These changes aim to preserve rural school access while ensuring thorough community review before closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prevents rural school closures/consolidations via strict procedures, requiring impact statements on transportation and enrollment. Directly protects K-12 education access in rural areas, aligning with 'protect' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Safety School Transportation Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 27, 2026

HB 4849: Authorize the Superintendent of the county schools district to apply directly to the School Building Authority for emergency funding to facilitate remediation of hazards.

HB 4849 allows county school superintendents or school improvement committees to directly request emergency funding from the School Building Authority to repair safety hazards in school buildings caused by natural events, such as floods or landslides. The School Building Authority must quickly assess the hazard and begin a process to hire contractors for the repairs. If the repair cost is less than 50% of the school's value as determined by the Comprehensive Education Facilities Plan, the Authority must prioritize funding to preserve the existing building. This bill directly affects West Virginia county school districts and the School Building Authority in addressing urgent infrastructure risks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables direct emergency funding for school safety repairs, improving infrastructure per bill's explicit purpose to address natural disaster hazards in K-12 facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 605: Providing tax credit for homeschool students

SB 605 would provide a tax credit to West Virginia resident parents or legal guardians who homeschool or enroll their children in private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the amount a student eligible for the HOPE Scholarship would receive, covering kindergarten through 12th grade. Families already receiving the HOPE Scholarship are excluded from this credit. The State Tax Commissioner will establish rules for claiming the credit, but the State Board of Education cannot impose additional regulations on homeschooled children.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for education expenses, reducing taxable income for eligible families, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for homeschool/private school education, expanding access to K-12 educational options beyond public schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 618: Prohibiting public funds from supporting low-earning outcome postsecondary degree programs

Senate Bill 618 prohibits West Virginia state and local public funds from supporting postsecondary degree programs identified as having "low-earning outcomes" under federal standards. It requires the Higher Education Policy Council to adopt rules blocking state funding - covering student aid, operational costs, grants, and facilities - from such programs and to annually report on blocked programs and fiscal impacts. This directly affects public universities and colleges receiving state funding, as well as students enrolled in designated programs. The bill implements a policy change by tying state education funding eligibility to graduate earnings data, rather than program content or accreditation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds specific higher education programs by restricting state funding allocation for low-earning outcome degrees, directly limiting public spending on targeted programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds specific higher education programs with low-earning outcomes, restricting state funding for such programs per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 15, 2026

HB 4373: To implement a Property Tax Poverty Exemption - School Excess Levy

This bill creates a property tax exemption for homeowners in West Virginia whose household income meets federal poverty guidelines. It directly affects low-income homeowners who occupy their property as their primary residence and pay school excess levies (the portion of property taxes funding schools beyond regular levies). To qualify, applicants must file an annual application between July 1 and December 1 with proof of income, residency, and property ownership, and meet residency requirements (two years in WV or specific return-from-out-of-state rules). The exemption applies only to school excess levy taxes - not regular property taxes - and must be renewed yearly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for low-income homeowners meeting poverty guidelines, reducing their tax burden on school excess levies.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExempts low-income homeowners from school excess levies, reducing local school funding sources. Directly impacts school revenue streams without advancing educational access or funding.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief to low-income homeowners, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for primary residence owners.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives School Funding Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 122: Repealing athletic eligibility of transfer students

SB 122 would repeal a West Virginia law requiring the State Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to automatically allow high school transfer students to retain athletic eligibility after moving schools. This bill directly affects high school athletes who transfer between schools, as it removes a mandatory rule that previously required WVSSAC to permit their continued participation. The key provision eliminates the requirement forcing WVSSAC to modify its rules to guarantee eligibility, instead giving the commission discretion to decide whether to allow transfer students to compete. The bill does not create new eligibility rules but changes the Commission's authority to determine them.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRepeals automatic eligibility rule, restricting transfer students' access to athletic programs within K-12 schools, limiting a specific educational opportunity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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