Bill > HB724

This bill directs the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive study on how public elementary schools decide whether to hold a student back a grade, known as retention. The study will examine existing regulations, school board policies, and individual school practices related to retention criteria, including how standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, attendance, and socio-emotional factors are used. Importantly, the Department will also evaluate the feasibility of expanding these criteria, particularly when standardized tests suggest retention. This expansion could involve requiring evidence of multiple support measures and interventions attempted by educators, meeting at least three specific academic and progress-related benchmarks, and incorporating input from educators, specialists, and parents to gain a fuller understanding of a student's learning profile beyond just test scores. Finally, the Department must report its findings and any recommendations for changes or additions to retention criteria to the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by the start of the 2027 General Assembly session.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB724