Education (School Choice)

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 53: Providing greater access to unused buildings for public charter schools

Senate Bill 53 requires West Virginia county school boards to publish an annual list of unused public buildings (such as closed or unoccupied school facilities) on a public website. This allows public charter schools to request and lease these buildings for classroom use, provided the buildings are not currently used for instruction. The bill ensures county boards cannot sell or block a building once a charter school requests it, and gives schools up to two years to secure approval and complete necessary renovations. Charter schools must pay market-rate rent and cover all operating costs (including utilities, maintenance, and repairs) during the lease. If a charter school's application is denied, the county board is not obligated to hold the building for future requests.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly expands educational access by enabling charter schools to lease unused public buildings, directly supporting K-12 school infrastructure and options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

signed · West Virginia · Senate Jun 25, 2026

SB 63: Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics in Rural Schools Act

SB 63 amends West Virginia's charter school application rules by adding detailed requirements for new or converted public charter schools. It mandates applicants to submit specific elements including a mission statement with academic focus, student achievement goals, governance structure plans, enrollment strategies, five-year budgets, and plans for serving students with disabilities or language needs. The bill does not specifically target rural schools (despite its title), as these requirements apply broadly to all charter school applications statewide. This procedural change affects school applicants seeking approval to establish or convert public charter schools, focusing on transparency and accountability in the application process.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires charter school applicants to include academic focus, student achievement goals, and plans for serving diverse students, enhancing educational quality and access without restricting funding or curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Tags Rural Communities

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

HB 4112: Provide tax credit for homeschool students

HB 4112 creates a tax credit for West Virginia parents or legal guardians who homeschool or send children to private schools meeting state education standards. The credit equals the annual HOPE Scholarship amount per taxpayer (not per child) and applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026. Families already eligible for the HOPE Scholarship cannot claim this credit. The bill does not allow the State Board of Education to add new regulations for homeschooled children receiving this credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing taxpayer liability for homeschool/private school expenses, aligning with tax relief for families.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credit for homeschool/private school access, expanding educational choice options for families per bill's explicit language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 600: Limiting family income for Hope Scholarship eligibility

SB 600 would limit eligibility for West Virginia's Hope Scholarship Program by requiring that a student's parent or parents have a combined federal adjusted gross income under $100,000. This change directly affects families applying for the scholarship, as it sets a new income threshold for qualification. The bill also requires unused scholarship funds to transfer to the student's local county school system at year-end and mandates that all scholarship funds be spent only on education services provided within West Virginia. These provisions amend existing sections of the state code governing the Hope Scholarship Program.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts scholarship access by income threshold ($100k AGI limit), directly limiting educational access for higher-income families under K-12 education policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

HB 4145: Creating a school choice office.

HB 4145 would create a school choice office within the Governor's Office, funded by legislative appropriation, to assist students and parents navigating school options in West Virginia. The office would coordinate with the Department of Education to provide information about public schools, private/parochial schools, virtual learning, homeschooling, learning pods, and micropods. It would specifically use the existing statewide homeschool online portal as a primary tool to share these options with families. The bill focuses on administrative coordination rather than altering funding or enrollment rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requires legislative appropriation to fund a new school choice office, directly allocating state budget resources for education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates school choice office to coordinate educational options, directly expanding access to K-12 school information and resources per bill's purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Choice

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 684: Relating to required courses of instruction for private, parochial, and church schools

SB 684 exempts private, parochial, and church schools in West Virginia from the state's requirement to teach specific courses, including state and U.S. history, civics, the U.S. Constitution, and government structure. This bill removes these schools from the curriculum mandates that apply to public schools for those subjects and from Celebrate Freedom Week obligations. As a result, private, parochial, and denominational schools will no longer be subject to these course requirements under state law. Public schools will continue to be required to follow the existing curriculum standards for these subjects.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRemoves state curriculum mandates (history/civics) for private schools, restricting required educational content under K-12 policy95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice

Track

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 216: Restoring Private Schools Act of 2026

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standardized testing and safety compliance for private schools, ensuring accountability and consistency with public school standards, supporting educational quality and safety across K-12.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4611: Creating the Hope to Help Community Schools Act of 2026.

HB 4611 establishes "Public Community Micro Schools" (PCMS) for West Virginia public schools with fewer than 150 students, enabling parent-led conversion to give families direct control over school decisions. To become a PCMS, at least five parents must form a committee, secure a 2/3 vote from parents representing at least one-third of enrolled students, and gain approval for the school to operate under parent governance. PCMS schools would receive two dedicated funding streams: Hope Scholarship funds for staffing (via an "ESA" account) and per-pupil operational funds (for transportation and costs), while waiving most state staffing rules (except special needs requirements). The bill also allows PCMS to use alternative leadership models (like a head teacher) and vertical classroom integration, with parent committees retaining veto power over closures or consolidations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides dedicated funding streams for parent-led micro schools in small districts, expanding educational access and options for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Teachers

Track

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 644: Requiring Economic Development Authority participate in federal tax credit scholarship program

This bill requires West Virginia's State Treasurer to participate in a federal tax credit scholarship program. Specifically, the Treasurer must annually identify and publish a list of qualified nonprofit scholarship organizations operating in the state by December 1st, accept applications year-round for inclusion on this list, and certify the list for federal submission. It defines eligible schools (meeting existing WV requirements) and students (eligible for public school enrollment), allowing scholarship funds to cover standard K-12 education expenses under federal rules. The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's office, scholarship organizations seeking to participate, and students receiving scholarships under the program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling tax credit scholarships for K-12 students through state Treasurer participation, aligning with support indicators for funding alternatives.95% confidence

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

Track