I wonder why school choice is a hard sell for a program that benefits so many children and parents in Virginia? Could it be there vested interests that having to do with education other then making sure tax dollars go in the right direction that ensure control of how those dollars are spent.
Why to does it seem parents are having little or no control over how this program of school choice moves forward? Who elected the governor that makes these decisions? Just wondering.
Virginia Senate Passes School Choice Bill: Is There Hope for VA?
By Lloyd Bentsen IV
The Virginia House approved their second private school choice bill on February 16 with a 56-43 vote. The Senate amended the bill and voted 20-19 on March 7 to then send it to Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe. The original bill included a more universal system, but the Senate’s amended bill proposes a more narrow school choice plan. The amended bill gives some students the right to use a portion of the state’s funding for private school expenses.
The original bill gave school choice for all students, but after facing opposition from members of the General Assembly and the Virginia Education Association (VEA), the amended bill now only applies for disabled students.
Opponents are also concerned the original bill would have violated the Virginia Constitution by funding religious private schools. The school choice bill will now be with Governor McAuliffe, and the amended version will be sent back to the House next year if he approves it. Governor McAuliffe vetoed a similar bill last week stating homeschoolers should have the opportunity to “play sports and participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school.”
His reluctance to approve prior school choice bills might provide an indication of his decision this time around. According to Governor McAuliffe, he opposed the last bill because he thinks “participation in athletic and academic competitions is a privilege for students who satisfy eligibility requirements.” But some question that statement and believe homeschoolers do satisfy the requirements because they pay the same taxes that fund public schools.
Will the governor let go of his previous complaints and allow disabled students to have school choice? Virginia still has a long way to go with school choice programs. This bill only allows for some funding to some students — only a certain amount of the costs will be funded, and only students with disabilities will qualify.
According to the Friedman Foundation, “public education funds should follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs,” meaning student enrollment in public school, private school and homeschool should determine the funding they receive. The goal is for the percent of funding to be distributed by the percent of enrollment to the different types of schooling instead of 100% given to public schools.
The proposal to open up this accommodation to students with disabilities will at least provide those students with the necessary assistance while also benefitting taxpayers because special education in public schools can be an expensive investment.
The governor has yet to decide whether or not to approve the amended bill, and the bill does not even come close to the Friedman Foundation’s expectations. But it is a step in the right direction for disabled students and school choice supporters. Emma Capps is a research associate at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
Why to does it seem parents are having little or no control over how this program of school choice moves forward? Who elected the governor that makes these decisions? Just wondering.
Virginia Senate Passes School Choice Bill: Is There Hope for VA?
By Lloyd Bentsen IV
The Virginia House approved their second private school choice bill on February 16 with a 56-43 vote. The Senate amended the bill and voted 20-19 on March 7 to then send it to Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe. The original bill included a more universal system, but the Senate’s amended bill proposes a more narrow school choice plan. The amended bill gives some students the right to use a portion of the state’s funding for private school expenses.
The original bill gave school choice for all students, but after facing opposition from members of the General Assembly and the Virginia Education Association (VEA), the amended bill now only applies for disabled students.
Opponents are also concerned the original bill would have violated the Virginia Constitution by funding religious private schools. The school choice bill will now be with Governor McAuliffe, and the amended version will be sent back to the House next year if he approves it. Governor McAuliffe vetoed a similar bill last week stating homeschoolers should have the opportunity to “play sports and participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school.”
His reluctance to approve prior school choice bills might provide an indication of his decision this time around. According to Governor McAuliffe, he opposed the last bill because he thinks “participation in athletic and academic competitions is a privilege for students who satisfy eligibility requirements.” But some question that statement and believe homeschoolers do satisfy the requirements because they pay the same taxes that fund public schools.
Will the governor let go of his previous complaints and allow disabled students to have school choice? Virginia still has a long way to go with school choice programs. This bill only allows for some funding to some students — only a certain amount of the costs will be funded, and only students with disabilities will qualify.
According to the Friedman Foundation, “public education funds should follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs,” meaning student enrollment in public school, private school and homeschool should determine the funding they receive. The goal is for the percent of funding to be distributed by the percent of enrollment to the different types of schooling instead of 100% given to public schools.
The proposal to open up this accommodation to students with disabilities will at least provide those students with the necessary assistance while also benefitting taxpayers because special education in public schools can be an expensive investment.
The governor has yet to decide whether or not to approve the amended bill, and the bill does not even come close to the Friedman Foundation’s expectations. But it is a step in the right direction for disabled students and school choice supporters. Emma Capps is a research associate at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
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