CHAPTER 183
An Act to amend and reenact § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Education; requirements for graduation with an advanced studies diploma; simultaneous completion of International Baccalaureate diploma and advanced studies diploma; approval of alternatives for certain credit requirements; regulations.
[S 63]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 22.1-253.13:4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 22.1-253.13:4 . Standard 4. Student achievement and graduation requirements.
A. Each local school board shall award diplomas to all secondary school students, including students who transfer from nonpublic schools or from home instruction, who meet the requirements prescribed by the Board and meet such other requirements as may be prescribed by the local school board and approved by the Board. Provisions shall be made to facilitate the transfer and appropriate grade placement of students from other public secondary schools, from nonpublic schools, or from home instruction as outlined in the standards for accreditation. The standards for accreditation shall include provisions relating to the completion of graduation requirements through Virtual Virginia. Further, reasonable accommodation to meet the requirements for diplomas shall be provided for otherwise qualified students with disabilities as needed.
In addition, each local school board may devise, vis-a-vis the award of diplomas to secondary school students, a mechanism for calculating class rankings that takes into consideration whether the student has taken a required class more than one time and has had any prior earned grade for such required class expunged.
Each local school board shall notify the parents of rising eleventh and twelfth grade students of (i) the requirements for graduation pursuant to the standards for accreditation and (ii) the requirements that have yet to be completed by the individual student.
B. Students identified as disabled who: