Education
Demonstrated Harm
Reduced state investment in public schools in Virginia since the recession has significantly impacted day-to-day operations in schools all over the Commonwealth. Schools have been forced to eliminate teachers and instructional specialists, place increasing responsibilities on teachers, reduce critical support positions such as nurses and school counselors, not keep pace with the changing language needs of students, eliminate student clubs and shorten afterschool programs, and allow facilities to deteriorate and fall into disrepair.
Evidence Mounts Against Voucher Bill on Governor’s Desk
Given the flaws with the bill in Virginia and the mounting evidence that vouchers are not effective as advertised, Virginia might be better suited investing its resources elsewhere, like its public schools.
State Budget Misses On Long-term Solutions for K-12
Now, it’s time for lawmakers to get serious about finding the revenue to adequately support Virginia’s public schools.
Session 2017: Key Budget Policy Choices
Key proposed changes to the enacted budget, Ch. 780 click image for pdf...
Far From Safe: K-12 Takes Further Cuts in Proposed Budget
As lawmakers review the governor’s amendments to the 2016-2018 budget, they should not gloss over these significant cuts to public K-12 education. With these cuts, the state’s support for Virginia’s students and future workforce is down 11.8 percent per pupil since 2009 adjusting for inflation. K-12 has borne its fair share in the state’s austerity efforts now and during the recession.
Details Matter When It Comes to School Choice
Lawmakers should take are hard look at the proposal for a voucher-like savings account in Virginia, because the research shows that the details matter when it comes to promoting effective school choice options.
We Still Tax Too Many Low-Wage Workers Into Poverty
As the new administration and Congress begin to move their agendas next month, there is one bipartisan initiative floating around...
Early Look: Governor McAuliffe’s Proposed Budget Amendments
Policymakers have been struggling for months with revenue that fell short of forecasts despite a growing economy. Last week, the...
Increasingly Separate and Unequal in U.S. and Virginia Schools
There are more public schools isolated by race and income in Virginia and across the United States than there were over a decade ago.