This bill proposes the addition of a new section to the Code of West Virginia, specifically establishing a Home School Portal that the Board of Education is required to design, test, and deploy. The portal must be operational by the 2026-2027 school year and will serve as an internet-based reporting system for families who choose to homeschool their children. Key features of the portal include secure access, information privacy, a Notice of Intent for identifying homeschooled children, and the ability to submit and archive required reports. The Board is also tasked with ensuring that the portal meets the needs of all 55 counties in West Virginia.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Board of Education consult with various stakeholders, including representatives from the homeschool community, charter schools, and private schools, during the development of the Home School Portal. The portal will include user-friendly features such as dashboards for families and school boards, acknowledgment capabilities for submissions, and options for push notifications to keep users informed of necessary actions. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the reporting process for homeschooling families while ensuring compliance with state requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-36-1