CHAPTER 49
An Act to amend and reenact § 22.1-199.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to programs for at-risk students; permissible uses of funding.
[H 195]
Approved April 2, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 22.1-199.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 22.1-199.1 . Programs designed to promote educational opportunities.
A. The General Assembly finds that Virginia educational research supports the conclusion that poor children from low income homes are more at risk of educational failure than children from more affluent homes and that reduced pupil/teacher ratios and class sizes result in improved academic performance among young children; to this end, the General Assembly establishes a long-term goal of reducing pupil/teacher ratios and class sizes for grades K through three in those schools in the Commonwealth with high or moderate concentrations of at-risk students who are educationally at risk .
With such funds as are provided in the appropriation act for this purpose, there is hereby established the statewide voluntary pupil/teacher ratio and class size reduction program for the purpose of reaching the long-term goal of statewide voluntary pupil/teacher ratio and class size reductions for grades K through three in schools with high or moderate concentrations of at-risk students who are educationally at risk , consistent with the provisions provided in the appropriation act.
In order to facilitate these primary grade ratio and class size reductions, the Department shall calculate the state funding of these voluntary ratio and class size reductions based on the incremental cost of providing the lower class sizes according to the greater of the division average per-pupil cost of all divisions or the actual division per-pupil cost. Localities shall provide matching funds for these voluntary ratio and class size reductions based on the composite index of local ability to pay. School divisions shall notify the Department of their intention to implement the reduced ratios and class sizes in one or more of their qualifying schools by August 1 of each year. By March 31 of each year, school divisions shall forward data substantiating that each participating school has a complying pupil/teacher ratio.
In developing each proposed biennium budget for public education, the Board shall include funding for these ratios and class sizes. These ratios and class sizes shall be included in the annual budget for public education.