VA HB724

Directs the Virginia Department of Education to study criteria used by public elementary schools to determine whether students should be retained (held back) in their current grade

Requires evaluation of existing Board of Education regulations, local school board policies, individual school policies, and state-mandated assessments that factor into retention decisions

Study must examine additional criteria used for retention decisions including academic performance in core subjects, teacher recommendations, attendance, and socio-emotional factors

Requires assessment of feasibility for expanding retention criteria beyond standardized test scores, including documented intervention attempts, multiple assessment measures, and input from educators and caregivers

Department must submit findings and recommendations to the House Education Committee and Senate Education and Health Committee chairs by the first day of the 2027 General Assembly session