Recently, several new bills have been passed in West Virginia that could directly impact students, teachers, and the overall school environment. In a school-wide survey of 110 students, when asked, “Are you aware of the recent bills passed in West Virginia that could affect our school?” 69% of respondents said no, while only 31% said yes.
HB 2003 – No Phones in Class
This bill would ban students from using cell phones during class. The state board of education would make the official rules for how schools have to follow this rule. Some students, like Naomi Young, think this is a bad idea because phones are important for emergencies and because adults are allowed to use phones at work.”
“If enacted, we’ll need to revise our policies to enforce this ban, potentially affecting how students access digital resources during class. Currently, we do not allow cellphones in classroom with our current school policy – so we’ll see if any changes are made if the bill is passed in its current form.” Head Principal Edson Arneault Said.
HB 2129 – Parents’ Bill of Rights
This bill gives parents more control over their child’s education, religious or moral upbringing, and medical care. If someone breaks these rights, parents can take legal action and ask the court to stop it. This law goes into effect on July 2, 2025.
HB 2755 – Legislature Oversight of Education
This bill would require the State Board of Education to get approval from the West Virginia Legislature before any new rules or policies are allowed. Supporters say this helps keep the board accountable, but critics think it’s not fair and could be against the state constitution because it takes power away from education experts.
SB 154 – Opting Out of Gender Identity Lessons
This bill allows parents to opt their children out of any lessons about sexual orientation or gender identity if they send in a written request. Schools have to let parents know ahead of time when these lessons are happening. It also says school staff must tell a school administrator if a student asks to be called a different name or gender, and then the administrator has to tell the student’s parents. Arneault said, “Restrictions on discussing sexual orientation and gender identity may limit classroom discussions, affecting inclusivity and student support. We’ll have to see what WVDE guidelines there are on this – and I anticipate judicial scrutiny of this law. I feel like for the most part our kids and teachers currently do a great job navigating these subjects.”
SB 283 – Personal Finance Flexibility
This bill lets students take their required personal finance class in any grade from 8th through 12th. It also says students who already took the class in an earlier grade still meet the graduation requirement, even if they took it before this bill passed. There could be some cost with implement this law. “Incorporating the mandatory personal finance course will require curriculum development and potential staffing considerations. Staff May need training to navigate the changes, especially regarding sensitive topics now restricted by law.” said, Arneault.
SB 474 – Ending DEI Programs
This bill would shut down all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools, colleges, and state agencies. These programs wouldn’t be allowed anymore unless a federal law says they must be. Right now, the bill is still being reviewed.
SB 581 – 4-H Counts as a School Day
This bill would let students be marked as present when they take part in 4-H activities, just like they would be for a school field trip. Students would also be allowed to make up any assignments they missed while they were away.
In conclusion, the recent wave of education related legislation in West Virginia represents significant changes that could impact students, teachers, and the broader educational landscape. From banning phones in classrooms to granting parents greater control over their children’s education, these bills reflect shifting priorities in the state. While some laws, such as those addressing student behavior and personal finance education, are intended to improve school environments, others, like the restrictions on gender identity lessons or the potential elimination of DEI programs, are likely to spark debate on inclusivity and diversity. As these bills continue to evolve, it will be important to monitor their implementation and effects on the state’s education system.
