This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to address compulsory school attendance, particularly for home-schooled children and the establishment of a "School Choice Portal." It eliminates the requirement for home-schooling parents to provide proof of a high school diploma or equivalent for the instructor. Instead, it introduces a streamlined process for submitting necessary paperwork through the new portal, which is designed to meet specific security and usability standards. The bill also mandates that county or state boards review any pending child abuse or neglect investigations before approving home instruction requests, ensuring a level of oversight in the home education process.

Furthermore, the bill expands exemptions from compulsory school attendance to include children participating in learning pods and microschools. It defines these terms and requires parents or guardians to notify the state superintendent or state board about their child's participation, including relevant details about the educational program. The legislation stipulates that children in these alternative educational settings must receive instruction in core subjects and undergo annual assessments to track academic progress. It also outlines the qualifications for instructors and the responsibilities of parents and educational entities in maintaining records and submitting assessment results, while clarifying that learning pods and microschools are distinct from traditional homeschooling and are only subject to specific educational laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-1
Committee Substitute: 18-8-1
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 18-8-1
Engrossed Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 18-8-1