Education
Dismantling the House that Byrd Built: School Segregation in the Commonwealth
Addressing the historical inequalities that created racial and economic segregation in the commonwealth is not an easy task. Yet by working together and implementing programs to address economic segregation and isolation, we can alleviate some of these challenges and start to expand educational access and opportunity for all Virginia children.
Building Opportunity: A Toolkit for Virginia’s Future
We all want to believe that if we meet our obligations and if we work hard at the things we choose to do that we’ll be rewarded with opportunities to get ahead.
Virginia’s Workforce Training Programs Are Successful, Popular — and on the Chopping Block in D.C.
The President’s budget proposal is a bad deal for Virginia’s communities and our economy. It’s critical that Virginia’s congressional leaders reject this dangerous cost-shift to the state, and put the needs of all Virginia families at the top of the agenda.
Where do the Gubernatorial Candidates Stand: A Guide to Recent Education Proposals in Virginia
Each of the candidates has released a platform for how they plan to improve educational opportunities in Virginia. We have collected these positions from the campaign websites and news releases and listed them here as a resource. This list may not be comprehensive, so please check out the links to the campaign websites for further details.
Demonstrated Harm: In Wise County Public Schools
Reduced state support for public education has negatively impacted Virginia classrooms, from the bustling shorelines of Hampton Roads to the green mountaintops of the Appalachians.
Demonstrated Harm: In Norfolk Public Schools
Every student in Virginia deserves a fair shot at success in the classroom and after they graduate. Limited staffing and deteriorating facilities is no way to prepare students and Virginia’s future workforce with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century.
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.