HB 1171 — Standard Diploma; Board of Education shall develop alternative graduation pathways to earn.

+ 2027 SESSION + INTRODUCED + HOUSE SUBSTITUTE + + 26101631D26107051D I HOUSE BILL NO.

1171 OfferedFLOOR JanuaryAMENDMENT 14,IN 2026THE NNATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE (Proposed by Delegate Rasoul on February 3, 2026) (Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Rasoul) A BILL to direct the Board of Education to develop,develop approve, and implement alternative graduation pathways to earn a standard diploma;

TBe Rit —————enacted Patrons—Rasoul,by LeVerethe BollingGeneral andAssembly Cole,of N.T.Virginia:

O ————— Referred to Committee on Education D ————— U Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

The Board of Education shall develop,develop approve, and implement alternative graduation pathways to C earn the Standard Diploma that expand opportunities to complete the verified credit requirements for the E Standard Diploma that do not require achieving a passing score on applicable Standards of Learning Dassessments, assessments.including pathways responsive to the needs of English language learners and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education.

In developing,developing approving, and implementing such alternative graduation pathways, the Board shall:

Consult with and integrate the perspectives of a broad range of relevant stakeholders, including public school educators, division superintendents, school boards, school principals, school counselors, parents of public school students, student representatives, major education association representatives, and such otheroUher stakeholders as the Board deems necessary;

S 2.

E 3.

Consider the following elements for incorporation into any such alternativesalternative pathways:

(i) nonassessment demonstrations of competence that allow students to demonstrate mastery of academic and H career skills without relying solely on standardized assessments, including capstone projects, portfolios,portfolioS, 1 locally developed performance assessments, completion of work-based learning experiences, completion of 1 dual-enrollment courses, service-learning opportunities, and attainment of industry-recognized credentials;1credentials; (ii) alternative assessments that could be used in lieu of or alongside of Standards of Learning assessments to earn verified credits, such as nationally normed tests or other assessments as may be approved by the Board;

and(ii) (iii)alternative otherassessments pathwaythat structurescould orbe elementsused designedin tolieu encourageof hands-onor learningalongside andStandards civicof engagement,Learning includingassessmentB careerto andearn technicalverified educationcredits, sequences,such apprenticeships,as earlynationally collegenormed experiences,tests or communityother serviceassessments projects;as may be approved by the Board;

4.and (iii) other pathway structures or elements designed to encourage hands-on learning and civic S engagement, including career and technical education sequences, apprenticeships, early college experiences, or community service projects, with attention to accessibility for English language learners and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education;

EnsureI thatT no4. alternative pathway impacts or replaces the current requirements for earning a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma;

Ensure that no alternative pathway developed in accordance with this act would, if implemented, impact or replace the current requirements for earning a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies U Diploma;

Ensure that at least one pathway is approveddeveloped that includes a nonassessment demonstration of T competence as a means to earn verified credit, in lieu of receiving a passing score on the applicable 35E Standards: of Learning Assessment.

In doing so, the Board may expand the definition of verified credit as may 36 beStandards necessary to include completion of suchLearning Board-approvedAssessment. nonassessment demonstration, provided that / 37 such demonstration meets the rigorous standards established by the Board;

andIn doing so, the Board may expand the definition of verified credit as may 37 be necessary to include completion of such Board-approved nonassessment demonstration, provided that 38 6.such demonstration meets the rigorous standards established by the Board;

Considerand potential timelines for implementation, including the school year for which any such 39 alternative6. graduation pathways shall first apply to students entering grade nine.

TheConsider Boardnext shallsteps submitfor toapproval the Governor and theimplementation Chairs of the Housepathways Committeedeveloped onpursuant Educationto andthis theact, Senate40 Committeeincluding onpotential Educationtimelines andfor Healthimplementation byand January 1, 2027, a report (i) detailing the progressschool madeyear towardfor developingwhich andany approvingsuch the alternative graduation pathways toshall earnfirst aapply Standard Diploma, pursuant to thisstudents act,entering includinggrade anine. detailed description of the specific alternative graduation pathways developed and approved for implementation;

The Board shall submit to the Governor and the Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by January 1, 2027, a report (i) detailing the progress made toward developing the alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma, pursuant to this act, including a detailed description of the specific alternative graduation pathways developed;

and (iii) outlining athe next steps and potential timeline for approval and implementation of the alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma developed and approved by the Board pursuant to this act.act, H considered by the Board in accordance with subdivision 6.

B 7 H 1