2013R2477 - An Act to Amend and Reenact §18-2-6 of the Code of West Virginia (Dual Enrollment for At-Risk Students)

Sep 14, 2026

Legislative text amending and reenacting West Virginia Code §18-2-6, focused on dual enrollment for at-risk students in public school alongside alternative programs meeting defined conditions. Establishes legislative findings and requires state board approval of alternative education programs, including rules for accreditation standards and definitions of disruptive student behavior. Authorizes county superintendent approval of dual enrollment and sets conditions for approval, including pilot projects and reporting changes, while updating technical provisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Legislative findings and amendments

Dual enrollment for at-risk students in alternative programs

State board rules: accreditation, approval, and standards

Disruptive students: alternative programs, placements, and pilot projects

Graduation rate calculation and program designation

2013R2477 1 ENROLLED 2 H . B . 2861 3 4 (By Delegates Pasdon, M . Poling, Barill, Marshall, 5 Frich and Fleischauer) 6 [Passed April 13, 2013; in effect July 1, 2013 . ] 7 8 9 10 AN ACT to amend and reenact §18-2-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 11 1931, as amended, relating to dual enrollment of at-risk 12 student in public school and alternative program that meets 13 certain conditions; making legislative findings; requiring 14 approval of alternative programs by the state board of 15 education; authorizing county superintendent to approve dual 16 enrollment; providing conditions under which dual enrollment 17 may be approved; eliminating required annual report on 18 cooperation with challenge academy; and making technical 19 changes. 20 Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia: 21 That §18-2-6 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, 22 be amended and reenacted to read as follows: 23 ARTICLE 2. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION . 24 §18-2-6 . Classification and standardization of schools; standards 2013R2477 1 for degrees and diplomas; certificates of proficiency; 2 establishment of alternative education programs . 3 (a) The state board shall promulgate rules for the 4 accreditation, classification and standardization of all schools in 5 the state, except institutions of higher education, and shall 6 determine the minimum standards for granting diplomas and 7 certificates of proficiency by those schools. 8 (1) The certificates of proficiency shall include specific 9 information regarding the graduate's skills, competence and 10 readiness for employment or honors and advanced education and shall 11 be granted, along with the diploma, to every eligible high school 12 graduate. 13 (2) The certificate of proficiency shall include the program 14 of study major completed by the student only for those students who 15 have completed the required major courses, or higher level courses, 16 advanced placement courses, college courses or other more rigorous 17 substitutes related to the major, and the recommended electives. 18 (b) An institution of less than collegiate or university 19 status may not grant any diploma or certificate of proficiency on 20 any basis of work or merit below the minimum standards prescribed 21 by the state board. 22 (c) A charter or other instrument containing the right to 23 issue diplomas or certificates of proficiency may not be granted by 24 the State of West Virginia to any institution or other associations 2013R2477 1 or organizations of less than collegiate or university status 2 within the state until the condition of granting or issuing the 3 diplomas or other certificates of proficiency has first been 4 approved in writing by the state board. 5 (d) The state board shall promulgate a rule for the approval 6 of alternative education programs for disruptive students who are 7 at risk of not succeeding in the traditional school structure. 8 (1) This rule may provide for the waiver of other policies of 9 the state board, the establishment and delivery of a nontraditional 10 curriculum, the establishment of licensure requirements for 11 alternative education program teachers, and the establishment of 12 performance measures for school accreditation. 13 (2) This rule shall provide uniform definitions of disruptive 14 student behavior and uniform standards for the placement of 15 students in alternative settings or providing other interventions 16 including referrals to local juvenile courts to correct student 17 behavior so that they can return to a regular classroom without 18 engaging in further disruptive behavior. 19 (e) The state board shall establish up to five pilot projects 20 at the elementary or middle school levels, or both, that employ 21 alternative schools or other placements for disruptive students to 22 learn appropriate behaviors so they can return to the r

FAQs

What does the act change regarding dual enrollment for at-risk students?

It amends §18-2-6 to address dual enrollment of at-risk students in public school and an alternative program that satisfies specified conditions. It also clarifies approval processes and approval conditions for dual enrollment.

Who approves alternative education programs and dual enrollment?

The state board must approve alternative programs through rules and authorization. The act also authorizes county superintendents to approve dual enrollment under conditions set by the statute and state requirements.

How does the act treat students attending approved alternative programs for graduation rate purposes?

If a student attends an approved alternative program (including the Mountaineer Challenge Academy) and graduates or passes the GED within five years of beginning ninth grade, the student is considered graduated for high school graduation rate calculations, subject to constraints regarding federal law and waiver outcomes.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by River Wang