The bill amends sections 18-28-2 and 18-28-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, to update the requirements for non-public schools, specifically private, parochial, or church schools. It replaces the previous requirement of a minimum 180-day instructional term and an average of five hours of instruction per day with a new standard of a minimum instructional term of 900 hours per school year. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools must provide composite test results to the parents or legal guardians of prospective enrollees upon request, while still requiring that these results be furnished to the State Superintendent of Schools when requested by the West Virginia Department of Education. Furthermore, the bill removes the consequences for schools whose composite test results fall below the 40th percentile.

In terms of standardized testing, the bill stipulates that non-public schools must administer a nationally normed standardized achievement test each year, similar to public schools, while allowing for alternative assessment methods for schools that exclusively serve special education students or children with learning disabilities. The legislation emphasizes the importance of making testing results available to parents and guardians, ensuring transparency and accountability in the educational process. Overall, the bill aims to enhance educational standards and provide parents with more information regarding their children's academic performance in non-public educational settings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-28-2, 18-28-3, 18-28-7
Committee Substitute: 18-28-2, 18-28-3
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 18-28-2, 18-28-3