This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to refine the regulations surrounding compulsory school attendance exemptions for children. It specifies conditions under which children may be exempt, such as home instruction, physical or mental incapacity, and participation in alternative educational programs like learning pods or microschools. New requirements are introduced for parents or guardians to submit a notice of intent that includes a verified date of birth and a contact number for children of compulsory school age. Additionally, those providing home instruction or alternative education must demonstrate their qualifications and conduct annual academic assessments. The bill also modifies existing language regarding assessment methods, replacing previous options with updated requirements that align with state testing programs and emphasizing the importance of record-keeping and notifying the county superintendent of any changes.

Furthermore, the bill establishes new provisions for assessing children's academic progress in learning pods and microschools, including the introduction of a remedial program if a child's annual assessment does not show acceptable growth. It clarifies that the county board must inform parents about available services for special education eligibility and allows children with disabilities to continue in these alternative settings. The bill modifies the submission of academic assessment results, permitting composite results from learning pods or microschools instead of individual assessments, and ensures that the county superintendent will provide necessary support. Importantly, while learning pods and microschools must comply with home instruction provisions, they are not classified as homeschooling and are exempt from other educational laws, except those related to special education.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-1