Education (K-12 Education)

HB 4956 sets fixed start and end dates for West Virginia public school years, requiring the instructional term to begin no earlier than the Tuesday after Labor Day and conclude no later than the Friday before Memorial Day starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The bill mandates a minimum of 180 separate instructional days per year, allowing counties to use "alternative methods" (like remote learning) for up to five weather-related closures without counting as lost days. It also requires counties to maintain 200 employment days for staff while defining non-instructional days for holidays, elections, and professional development. This law directly affects all West Virginia public school students, teachers, and county school boards by standardizing the academic calendar framework.

HB 4368 defines "military-connected students" as children of active-duty, reserve, or deceased military members and establishes new enrollment and support rules for them in West Virginia schools. The bill allows remote school enrollment without physical registration using military orders (with options for temporary or permanent addresses), ensures equitable access to academic courses and extracurricular activities, and requires schools to provide counseling and support services when a parent is activated for duty. It also mandates prompt coordination for students with disabilities during transfers and permits military-connected students to remain at their school until completing the highest grade level offered there. These provisions directly affect military-connected students, their families, and local education agencies across West Virginia.