HB 5478 establishes a statewide pilot program distributing free, internet-free learning touchpads to eligible preschoolers in West Virginia to improve kindergarten readiness. The program targets children aged 3-4 who qualify based on family income (at or below federal poverty level), participation in programs like WIC or Head Start, or other risk factors identified by the state. Each touchpad kit includes preloaded early-learning apps, headphones, a protective case, and parent guides with daily activity suggestions and text-message tips. The West Virginia Department of Education will administer the program, partner with community organizations, and evaluate its impact on readiness metrics annually, while ensuring compliance with child privacy laws.
SB 966 would remove existing requirements for homeschooling parents in West Virginia, specifically eliminating the need for parental certifications and mandating that home instruction cover the same subjects as public schools. The bill keeps annual academic assessments and notice-of-intent procedures but removes the requirement for homeschool providers to submit proof of a high school diploma or higher education credentials. It directly affects parents who choose to homeschool their children, as it reduces administrative barriers while maintaining basic oversight through annual assessments. The bill aims to simplify homeschooling compliance without altering the core structure of home education oversight.
HB 5387 amends West Virginia's high school graduation requirements by removing a mandatory stand-alone computer science course. Instead, it establishes a computer literacy proficiency requirement that students must meet to graduate. The bill restores local flexibility for school districts to determine how to implement this requirement while preserving advanced computer science pathways. This change directly affects all West Virginia high school students by altering one of their required graduation courses.
SB 696 would amend West Virginia law to explicitly permit women's wrestling as a sanctioned sport in public high schools and public charter schools. The bill directs the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) to include women's wrestling in its list of approved athletic events, ensuring it can be offered as a competitive sport. This change directly affects public school athletic programs and students, allowing female athletes to participate in wrestling under the same rules as other sanctioned sports. The bill does not alter existing eligibility requirements for student athletes but adds wrestling to the Commission's approved sports list.
The Future Ready Education Act allows West Virginia school districts to enter multi-year contracts for educational technology with a technology licensing component, provided they document fiscal savings and include a 30-day cancellation clause. It extends the Mountain State Digital Project to cover grades 9-12 and adds tutoring in reading, math, science, and career-technical education. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, all kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers must complete training in the science of reading, with public charter school educators permitted to voluntarily participate. The bill directly affects school districts, K-5 teachers, and students in public schools across West Virginia.
HB 5205 requires West Virginia's State Board of Education to develop model policies for technology and artificial intelligence (AI) use in public school classrooms. It directly affects all K-12 public schools (including district, charter, and specialized schools), county education boards, teachers, and parents. Key provisions include mandating that instructional technology must support learning without distracting students, minimizing non-essential screen time, requiring transparency for parents about digital tools used, and adopting an AI-specific policy by July 2027. The bill also sets criteria for technology approval, such as evidence of educational value and safety for student development, and requires public hearings before county boards adopt policies.
HB 5647, the "Open and Equal Opportunities in Student Activities Act," allows homeschooled students, Hope Scholarship participants, and students at nonpublic schools to join extracurricular activities - including sports - at public or nonpublic schools that are members of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission. This applies when their own school doesn’t offer the activity or isn’t a commission member. Students must register with their county school board, pay standard fees, follow school rules, and be covered by the school’s insurance. The bill clarifies participation doesn’t guarantee a spot on a team or activity, and students transferring mid-year follow standard transfer protocols.
HB 5245 creates the "Governor's Cup Challenge," a yearly athletic competition between Marshall University and West Virginia University in NCAA Division I sports. The winning school earns points based on game outcomes, with the annual champion receiving 65% of scholarship funds generated from 20% of game-related revenue (tickets, merchandise, concessions). These funds support scholarships for West Virginia high school athletes who participated in sports but did not receive athletic scholarships to in-state colleges and are now pursuing degrees at those institutions. The program is administered by the university system's vice chancellor for administration.
Senate Bill 468 requires West Virginia's Bureau for Family Assistance to annually increase base payment rates for childcare providers starting September 2026, adjusting them based on the Consumer Price Index (inflation rate) to keep pace with rising costs. It also mandates a study beginning August 2026 on implementing performance-based contracting - where providers might earn incentives for quality outcomes like improved kindergarten readiness - and report findings to the Legislative Oversight Commission by December 15, 2026. The bill directly affects licensed childcare providers receiving state funding through the federal Child Care & Development Fund. These changes aim to improve affordability, availability, and quality of childcare services as required by federal guidelines.
This bill allows county school boards participating in multicounty vocational centers to choose whether to operate career technical education (CTE) programs within local high schools instead of at centralized centers. The programs can be either state-approved (per 20 U.S.C. §2342) or locally created. It gives school boards flexibility to better serve students by bringing CTE programs closer to their home schools, without requiring withdrawal from multicounty centers. The bill does not mandate program relocation but provides a new option for program placement within existing high school structures.
