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Read. Follow. Verify.West Virginia Bill Requires Board of Education to Establish Common Graduation Requirements and Four Distinct Pathways
Last action · March 3, 2026: To House EducationSponsors: Amy Grady and 3 others
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What This Bill Proposed
Senate Bill 1044 directs the West Virginia Board of Education to create uniform high school graduation requirements alongside four distinct pathways: Academic, Workforce, Career and Technical Education and Skilled Trades, and Military. The measure mandates that students select a graduation pathway no later than the ninth grade through strengthened s.
High school students across West Virginia must complete specific common credits plus specialized coursework tailored to college, trade, workforce, or military goals in order to earn a regular high school diploma.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public high school students in West Virginia
Students must complete mandatory common core credits and choose a specific graduation pathway no later than the ninth grade to earn a regular diploma.
West Virginia Board of Education
The board is required to promulgate rules establishing common graduation standards and criteria for the four designated pathways.
county boards of education
Local school boards must implement the new graduation requirements and pathway options across their high schools.
Key Facts
- The bill requires the West Virginia Board of Education to promulgate a rule setting common graduation requirements and four specific graduation pathways.
- All students seeking a regular high school diploma must complete common requirements including four credits of English Language Arts, three credits of Mathematics (including Algebra I), three credits of Science, three credits of Social Studies (including U.S. History and Civics), Physical Education and Health, and Financial Literacy.
- The four established pathways are the Academic (College-Preparatory) Pathway, Workforce Pathway, Career and Technical Education and Skilled Trades Pathway, and Military Pathway.
- The legislation expressly prohibits designating any graduation pathway as remedial, alternative, or of lesser rigor or value.
Show all 9 facts
- Personalized Education Plan requirements are strengthened to ensure that every student selects a graduation pathway no later than the ninth grade.
- The Academic Pathway requires advanced mathematics like Algebra II or higher, laboratory science, world language credits, advanced coursework, and college readiness benchmarks.
- The Workforce Pathway requires career-focused coursework, industry-recognized credentials approved by the Department of Education, work-based learning experiences, and employability skills instruction.
- The Career and Technical Education and Skilled Trades Pathway requires an approved program of study, participation in Simulated Workplace or equivalent models, industry credentials, dual-credit coursework, and a capstone project.
- The Military Pathway requires military career exploration and counseling, leadership development, physical fitness preparation, ASVAB testing, and participation in JROTC programs when available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What common courses must all West Virginia high school students complete?
When do students have to choose a graduation pathway?
What are the four graduation pathways established by the bill?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · passed the Senate · in House committee.
Procedural history
17 actions- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommitteeTo House Education
- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommitteeTo Education
- Mar 3, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
- Mar 3, 2026HouseHouse received Senate message
- Mar 2, 2026SenateOrdered to House
- Mar 2, 2026SenateFloorPassed Senate (Roll No. 287)
Show 11 earlier actions
- Mar 2, 2026SenateRead 3rd time
- Mar 2, 2026SenateOn 3rd reading
- Feb 27, 2026SenateRead 2nd time
- Feb 27, 2026SenateOn 2nd reading
- Feb 26, 2026SenateRead 1st time
- Feb 26, 2026SenateImmediate consideration
- Feb 26, 2026SenateCommitteeReported do pass
- Feb 21, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Education
- Feb 21, 2026SenateIntroducedIntroduced in Senate
- Feb 21, 2026SenateCommitteeTo Education
- Feb 21, 2026SenateIntroducedFiled for introduction
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
www.wvlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 75)
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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