David Reid House Bill 410 Expands Scholastic Assessment Test Access for High School Students

Sep 10, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Young adults filling out paperwork at outdoor picnic tables

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia House of Delegates has advanced HB410, a measure requiring school boards to provide high school students with access to the SAT School Day program. The bill passed the House on February 17, 2026, by a wide margin of 88-8, sending it to the Senate where it now awaits consideration in the Education and Health Committee’s Public Education subcommittee, to which it was assigned on February 26.

Sponsored by Delegate David Reid, HB410 mandates that each local school board participate in the SAT School Day program offered by the College Board or a comparable initiative. Under the program, high school juniors and seniors can take the SAT exam during regular school hours right at their enrolled public high school. The legislation ensures that every eligible student receives at least one opportunity to participate during either the fall or spring testing windows of their junior or senior year. Importantly, student participation remains voluntary, preserving individual choice in educational opportunities.

The bill’s journey through the House showcased robust committee support. It originated with a fiscal impact statement from the Department of Planning and Budget on January 12, 2026, followed by referral to the House Education Committee. On January 27, the K-12 Subcommittee recommended reporting it with a substitute by a vote of 9-1. The full Education Committee endorsed the substitute on January 28, voting 16-5 to report it and refer it to Appropriations.

In the Appropriations Committee, initial subcommittee action on February 2 recommended laying the bill on the table 7-0, but reconsideration led to a substitute being offered. On February 13, the Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee recommended reporting with substitute 7-0, and the full Appropriations Committee approved it unanimously 22-0. This strong backing from the budget oversight body underscores the measure’s alignment with fiscal prudence, as multiple fiscal impact statements were issued without indications of significant new spending burdens.

House floor action proceeded swiftly. On February 15, the bill received its first reading. The next day, the Education Committee substitute was rejected, but the Appropriations substitute was agreed to, with the bill engrossed and read a second time. It passed on third reading the following day with overwhelming support, reflecting broad consensus on enhancing college readiness tools for Virginia students.

Proponents highlight how the SAT School Day program removes barriers to standardized testing, allowing students in every school division—urban, suburban, or rural—to test on-site without additional travel or scheduling conflicts. By integrating the exam into the school day, the initiative supports efficient use of educational resources and ensures equitable access to a key metric for college admissions. The voluntary nature respects parental and student preferences, avoiding any compulsion while maximizing availability.

As the bill moves to the Senate, its Appropriations-approved framework positions it as a low-cost enhancement to public education. The unanimous committee vote signals confidence in its budgetary neutrality, a priority for maintaining Virginia’s strong fiscal position. With the General Assembly session ongoing, stakeholders watch for Senate action that could codify this expansion statewide.

The legislation amends the Code of Virginia by adding Section 22.1-79.10, formalizing school board responsibilities. Substitutes refined the language, including the House Appropriations version printed as 26106839D-H2. Full text details confirm the focus on participation without mandates on students, balancing school obligations with family autonomy.

Virginia’s commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success gains momentum with HB410. Standardized testing like the SAT remains a cornerstone of merit-based opportunities, and facilitating access during school hours streamlines the process for families across the Commonwealth. The bill’s progress through key committees, culminating in near-unanimous House approval, demonstrates legislative efficiency in addressing practical educational needs.

Should the Senate concur, the measure could take effect soon after, embedding SAT School Day into routine high school offerings. This step forward equips the next generation with vital tools for future achievement, leveraging existing programs without expansive new mandates.

Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Amy Laufer Angelia Williams Graves Anne Tata Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes College Creigh Deeds Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Education Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Emily Jordan Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Families Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Gretchen Bulova Health High School Hillary Kent Holly Seibold House of Delegates Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Lee Ware Legislation Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Rae Cousins Richard Stuart Richmond Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul School School Board School Boards Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Shelly Simonds spending Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts voting Wendell Walker Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams