This bill proposes the addition of a new section, 18-8-13, to the Code of West Virginia, 1931, which establishes a 90-day time limit for families involved in an active truancy or pre-petition process to withdraw their child for homeschooling. The legislative findings highlight concerns regarding the potential misuse of homeschooling as a means to evade educational accountability, particularly in relation to at-risk youth and the Third Grade Success Act's reading proficiency standards.

Furthermore, the bill encourages the West Virginia Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive survey of public-school families who opt for homeschooling to better understand the underlying reasons for this choice. The intent of the legislation is to ensure that student well-being is prioritized during truancy proceedings and to prevent families from using short-term homeschooling as a loophole to bypass educational requirements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-8-13