Education
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.
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.
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...
Virginia Board of Education to Lawmakers: Fix School Funding
Last Thursday, the Virginia Board of Education unanimously approved a set of recommendations that would significantly improve support for Virginia schools. The vote sends a clear message to the General Assembly that it’s time for the state to fix the school funding formula.
Reduced Funding for Virginia Schools Threatens Future Workforce and Puts Businesses and Communities at Risk
The future of Virginia’s children, communities, and commonwealth depends heavily on the quality of K-12 schools, yet Virginia continues to rank among the states that have made the deepest cuts in its support for its schools and students. Virginia should take a better approach – one informed by solid research in the field – and invest the resources needed to be a place where every child, no matter where they live, has a chance to get a top-quality education.