Virginia legislation · 2027 Regular Session
Virginia HB428: A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to high school graduation requirements; alternative pathway to standard diploma established; report.
Status: In committee, February 4, 2026
High school graduation requirements; alternative pathway to standard diploma established; report. Requires the Board of Education to (i) establish pursuant to regulation an alternative pathway to the standard diploma for any student with a disability whose individualized education program indicates that the student demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve the standard diploma but requires significant instructional, course sequencing, or assessment accommodations or modifications in order to do so and (ii) take all steps necessary to ensure that such pathway and the Applied Studies diploma are, to the maximum extent practicable, treated as a standard diploma for the purpose of eligibility for enrollment at an institution of higher education in the Commonwealth, eligibility for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and federal financial aid programs, consideration for military service enlistment opportunities, and consideration for state employment opportunities that require a standard diploma. The bill requires the Department of Education to report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the implementation of such alternative pathway to the standard diploma, including the number of students utilizing such alternative pathway and the postsecondary outcomes of such students.
What the bill says
To amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to high school graduation requirements; alternative pathway to standard diploma established; report. ---------- Patron--LeVere Bolling ---------- Referred to Committee on Education ---------- 1. That § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: § 22.1-253.13:4. Standard 4. Student achievement and graduation requirements. A. Each local school board shall award diplomas to all secondary school students, including students who transfer from nonpublic schools or from home instruction, who.
From the introduced text, January 12, 2026:
A BILL to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to high school graduation requirements; alternative pathway to standard diploma established; report. ---------- Patron--LeVere Bolling ---------- Referred to Committee on Education ---------- 1. That § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: § 22.1-253.13:4. Standard 4. Student achievement and graduation requirements. A. Each local school board shall award diplomas to all secondary school students, including students who transfer from nonpublic schools or from home instruction, who meet the requirements prescribed by the Board and meet such other requirements as may be prescribed by the local school board and approved by the Board. Provisions shall be made to facilitate the transfer and appropriate grade placement of students from other public secondary schools, from nonpublic schools, or from home instruction as outlined in the standards for accreditation. The standards for accreditation shall include provisions relating to the completion of graduation requirements through Virtual Virginia. Further, reasonable accommodation to meet the requirements for diplomas shall be provided for otherwise qualified students with disabilities as needed. In addition, each local school board may devise, vis-a-vis the award of diplomas to secondary school students, a mechanism for calculating class rankings that takes into consideration whether the student has taken a required class more than one time …