VA SB 147
Status unknownAlternative graduation pathways to earn Standard Diploma; development, approval, and implementation,
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper
Quick answers
Did VA SB 147 pass?
The current status of VA SB 147 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-02-10): Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
What is VA SB 147 about?
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.
Who sponsors VA SB 147?
Stella G. Pekarsky is the primary sponsor of VA SB 147.
Description
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.
- Introduced
- 2026-01-07
- Latest action
- 2026-02-10 — Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Sponsors
- Stella G. Pekarskyprimary
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
2026-01-07
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100671D
filing,introduction
2026-01-07
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
referral-committee
2026-01-15
Assigned Education sub: Public Education
referral-committee
2026-01-28
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
2026-01-29
Senate subcommittee offered
2026-02-05
Senate committee offered
2026-02-05
Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N 1-A)
committee-passage
2026-02-05
Senate committee offered
2026-02-06
Committee substitute printed 26107264D-S1
substitution
2026-02-10
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
2026-02-10
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB147)
Versions
Documents
Votes
Reported from Education and Health with substitute
2026-02-05 · pass · 14-0
Member-level votes (15)
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- David R. Suetterlein: abstain
- Mark J. Peake: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Lamont Bagby: yes
- Christopher T. Head: yes
- Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
- Schuyler T. VanValkenburg: yes
- Tara A. Durant: yes
- Stella G. Pekarsky: yes
- Christie New Craig: yes
- Russet Perry: yes
Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations
2026-02-10 · pass · 15-0
Member-level votes (15)
- L. Louise Lucas: yes
- R. Creigh Deeds: yes
- Mamie E. Locke: yes
- David W. Marsden: yes
- Adam P. Ebbin: yes
- Ryan T. McDougle: yes
- Mark D. Obenshain: yes
- Richard H. Stuart: yes
- Bryce E. Reeves: yes
- Barbara A. Favola: yes
- Scott A. Surovell: yes
- Jeremy S. McPike: yes
- Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
- Todd E. Pillion: yes
- Aaron R. Rouse: yes
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
Use this data
Every field on this page is available from the free public API — no key or licence required. Fetch this bill as JSON: GET /api/v1/bills?jurisdiction=VA&identifier=SB 147. See the API docs or the MCP server for AI assistants.
Known limitations
- Sponsor party and chamber affiliation are not yet captured by this API.
- Committee referrals are not yet captured.
See the methodology page for data sources and limitations.