To not entitle WV students to get aid from any WV schools unless they pass a college qualification exam in the 10th grade
Summary
HB4497 would require the West Virginia State Board of Education to create and administer a college preparedness exam to all students in the tenth grade. The board would also set the standards for passing or failing the exam, and students who fail could be allowed to retake it after a reasonable period of time determined by the board.
The central policy change is that a passing score on this exam would become a condition for receiving any publicly available financial aid to attend a publicly funded college or university in West Virginia. The bill is scheduled to take effect for the 2026-2027 school year and authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the program.
Impact
The bill would add a new section to West Virginia Code §18-2, creating a statewide testing requirement tied directly to eligibility for state-supported higher education aid. It would affect the State Board of Education, public school students in tenth grade, and students seeking grants or other publicly available financial aid for public colleges and universities in the state. In practice, it would make access to financial aid contingent on performance on a standardized college-readiness exam, potentially changing both K-12 assessment policy and higher education aid eligibility rules.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and caption, the measure appears to be framed as a merit-based college readiness policy rather than a broadly popularized aid expansion. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no documented debate or recorded sentiment from lawmakers in the provided materials. The bill’s structure suggests support from sponsors for using an academic benchmark to encourage preparedness, but the absence of discussion prevents a fuller assessment of legislative sentiment.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the requirement that a tenth-grade exam determine eligibility for financial aid years later, which could be viewed as creating a high-stakes barrier for students. Critics may argue that tying aid to a single standardized test could disadvantage students who struggle on one exam, while supporters may see it as a way to ensure college readiness and encourage academic achievement. Another likely issue is whether the State Board of Education should have broad discretion to define passing standards and retesting rules. No specific objections or endorsements are recorded in the provided context.
Require that any student in the 11th or 12th grade, who has been placed in a “free/elective/assistant” period, be informed of online college course opportunities available for them
To permit students in eighth and ninth grade to attend summer school in order to raise their grades and establish academic eligibility to play sports in the fall.