This bill proposes the creation of a "School Choice Portal" in West Virginia, which the State Board of Education is required to deploy by August 1, 2026. The portal will serve as an internet-based reporting system for families opting out of public schooling, allowing them to file necessary paperwork such as notices of intent and termination. The bill outlines specific requirements for the portal, including security measures, user access controls, and the ability to provide information privacy. It also mandates that the portal be operational for the 2026-2027 school year and include features such as dashboards for users, acknowledgment capabilities for submissions, and a design that accommodates the needs of all 55 counties in the state.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of stakeholder involvement in the development of the portal, requiring consultation with representatives from the board, the homeschool community, Microschools, and the Hope Scholarship program. The implementation and ongoing use of the portal will be overseen by the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability (LOCEA) and/or the Joint Committee on Education. The State Board is also tasked with reporting back to the respective counties regarding the children listed in the portal.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-36-1