The 2022 General Assembly session ends on March 12. All the bills that passed in one chamber have crossed over to the other chamber and are being reconsidered there. Here are the 4 Public Education priority bills that we are asking the House to support (SB490 and SB495) and the Senate to oppose (HB127).
SB490 Standards of Quality; work-based learning; teacher leaders and mentors; principal mentors. This bill has passed the Senate and is now in the House Appropriations Committee. This bill is based on the 2021 estimate of the condition and Public School needs in Virginia. It will help to establish principal and teacher mentor programs. Also, it will improve education in schools that have high concentrations of poverty by making these changes: improving student to teacher ratios, providing flexibility in compensation adjustment to teachers, equitable distribution of experienced and effective personnel, supporting at-risk students, hiring of specialist teachers, counselors, and support positions. This is how we need to spend any budget "surplus." Please access this link to send a one-click email of support to the House Dems and House GOP Appropriations Committee Members, and please sign your name and address.
https://www.virginiagrassroots.org/action-legislation-2022.php?prefix=SB&no=490&year=2022
SB495 Elections; removal of officers, recall elections, application for recall petition. This bill passed the Senate, with Sen. Peterson the only Democrat joining all Republicans opposing it. The measure will now be considered in the House, where it faces a partisan uphill battle. Because recall efforts across the state are inconsistent and not transparent, this bill aims to bring Virginia in line with other states. The details of the recommended recall process are explained HERE. Please access this link to send a one-click email of support to the House Privileges and Elections Committee Members. Please sign your name and address. https://www.virginiagrassroots.org/action-legislation-2022.php?prefix=SB&no=495&year=2022
HB 127 Academic year Governor's Schools; certain practices prohibited and permitted. This bill was passed in the House and the Senate Public Education Subcommittee recommended that it NOT be reported. However, it appears that the Senate Education and Health Committee will not accept that recommendation and will consider it. The subcommittee was wise in recommending this bill NOT be reported because it would reinstate the highly biased standardized test as a criterion for admissions evaluation for Governors schools. It is fiction that increasing access for underprivileged groups is discrimination against more advantaged students. Standardized tests are not 'objective' measures of merit and students' talents and abilities are not fixed. This bill would serve to reinforce inequities in Virginia Governor's schools rather than work to eliminate them. Please access this link to send a one-click email asking for a vote of opposition to the Senate Education and Health Committee, and please sign your name and address. https://www.virginiagrassroots.org/action-legislation-2022.php?prefix=HB&no=127&year=2022
