SB147 • 2026

Alternative graduation pathways to earn Standard Diploma; development, approval, and implementation,

<p class=ldtitle>A BILL to direct the Board of Education to develop, approve, and implement alternative graduation pathways to earn a standard diploma; report. </p>

Education

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor: Pekarsky
Last action: 2026-02-10
Official status: Continued
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific implementation timelines for the alternative graduation pathways.

Alternative Ways to Earn a High School Diploma

This bill directs the Virginia Board of Education to create new ways for students to earn their high school diploma without needing to pass certain tests.

What This Bill Does

The Board of Education must make new paths for students to get a standard diploma that don't require passing all test scores.
They need to talk with many people like teachers, parents, and students when making these new paths.
These new paths can include ways for students to show what they know without tests, such as projects or work experience.
The Board must make sure at least one path includes a way for students to prove their skills without taking tests.
By January 1, 2027, the Board has to tell the governor and education leaders about these new paths.

Who It Names or Affects

Students in Virginia who are trying to earn a standard diploma.
The Virginia Board of Education which will create these new pathways.
Teachers, parents, and other people involved in education who give their ideas on the new pathways.

Terms To Know

Standard Diploma: A high school diploma that shows a student has completed all required classes and tests to graduate from Virginia schools.
Profile of a Virginia Graduate: A set of skills and knowledge that the state wants students to have when they finish high school, like critical thinking and communication.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify exactly how these new pathways will be used or if all schools must offer them.
It is unclear what specific non-test ways of showing skills the Board will create.
There are no details on when students can start using these new pathways.

Bill History

2026-02-10 Finance and Appropriations
Continued to 2027 in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
2026-02-10 Education and Health
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
2026-02-06 Education and Health
Committee substitute printed 26107264D-S1
2026-02-05 Education and Health
Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
2026-02-05 Senate
Senate committee offered
2026-02-05 Senate
Senate committee offered
2026-01-29 Public Education
Senate subcommittee offered
2026-01-28 Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
2026-01-15 Public Education
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
2026-01-07 Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100671D
2026-01-07 Education and Health
Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Official Summary Text

Board of Education; development, approval, and implementation of alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma; report.
Directs the Board of Education to develop, approve, and implement alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma that are designed to expand opportunities for students to complete the verified credit requirements for the Standard Diploma that do not require achieving a passing score on applicable Standards of Learning assessments. In developing, approving, and implementing such alternative graduation pathways, the bill directs the Board to (i) consult with and integrate the perspectives of a broad range of relevant stakeholders; (ii) consider alignment with the competencies articulated in the
Profile of the Virginia Graduation
; (iii) consider certain elements for incorporation into such alternative pathways, including nonassessment demonstrations of competence, alternative assessments that could be used in lieu of or alongside Standards of Learning assessments, and pathway structures or elements designed to encourage hands-on learning and civic engagement; (iv) ensure that any such alternative graduation pathways do not impact or replace the current requirements for earning a Standard Diploma or an Advanced Studies Diploma; (v) ensure at least one alternative pathway is approved that includes a nonassessment demonstration of competence; and (vi) consider potential timelines for implementation of such alternative graduation pathways. Finally, the bill directs the Board to submit to the Governor and Chairs of the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by January 1, 2027, a report detailing the Board's progress in developing, approving, and implementing alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma, in accordance with the provisions of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL NO. 147
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the Senate Committee on Education and Health
on February 5, 2026)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Pekarsky)
A BILL to direct the Board of Education to develop alternative graduation pathways to earn a standard diploma; report.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1.
§ 1. The Board of Education (the Board) shall develop alternative graduation pathways to earn the Standard Diploma that expand opportunities to complete the verified credit requirements for the Standard Diploma that do not require achieving a passing score on applicable Standards of Learning assessments, including pathways responsive to the needs of English language learners and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education. In developing such alternative graduation pathways, the Board shall:
1. 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 other stakeholders as the Board deems necessary;
2. Consider alignment of any alternative pathways with the competencies articulated in the
Profile of a Virginia Graduate
: critical thinking, creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and citizenship;
3. Consider the following elements for incorporation into any such alternative pathways: (i) nonassessment demonstrations of competence that allow students to demonstrate mastery of academic and career skills without relying solely on standardized assessments, including capstone projects, portfolios, locally developed performance assessments, completion of work-based learning experiences, completion of dual-enrollment courses, service-learning opportunities, and attainment of industry-recognized credentials; (ii) alternative assessments that could be used in lieu of or alongside Standards of Learning assessments to earn verified credits, such as nationally normed tests or other assessments as may be approved by the Board; and (iii) other pathway structures or elements designed to encourage hands-on learning and civic 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;
4. 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 Diploma;
5. Ensure that at least one pathway is developed that includes a nonassessment demonstration of competence as a means to earn verified credit, in lieu of receiving a passing score on the applicable Standards of Learning Assessment. In doing so, the Board may expand the definition of verified credit as may be necessary to include completion of such Board-approved nonassessment demonstration, provided that such demonstration meets the rigorous standards established by the Board; and
6. Consider next steps for approval and implementation of the pathways developed pursuant to this act, including potential timelines for implementation and the school year for which any such alternative graduation pathways shall first apply to students entering grade nine.
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; (ii) summarizing the stakeholder engagement process and the perspectives received from stakeholders, in accordance with subdivision 1; and (iii) outlining the next steps and potential timeline for approval and implementation of the alternative graduation pathways to earn a Standard Diploma developed by the Board pursuant to this act, considered by the Board in accordance with subdivision 6.