Hello please vote NO on this bill HB359. This is over reach of separation off church and state. To target private schools and homeschool groups strips parental rights and belief in what is best for their children. There are may reasons parents choose private or homeschool education and the state trying to control education is just one of many possible reasons.

Please vote NO on HB359 titled: Private elementary or secondary school; use of public funds for tuition, standards. Thank you very much.

I urge members of the House Education Committee to vote NO on HB 359. Thank you for considering my request.

I urge members of the House Education Committee to vote NO on HB 359. Thank you for considering my request.

Please vote NO on HB359 titled: Private elementary or secondary school; use of public funds for tuition, standards. Thank you very much.

ODACS urges members of the House Education Committee to vote NO on HB 359. A rationale for our request is attached. Thank you for considering our perspective.

I oppose this bill. Please vote no.

I respectfully ask that the legislators vote no on this bill. Private schools that receive funding through programs such as the Virginia Education Tax Credit Program have their own missions, goals, and priorities -- that may not align 100% with public schools -- but which produce diverse, extremely well-educated, and successful students ready for that next step in life. This bill would require these private schools to dedicate time, labor, and money to revise their curriculum and make other significant changes, solely to look and feel more like a public school. It is a solution in search of a problem that does not exist. Finally, many (if not all) private schools are certified by or members of organizations such as the VAIS, which reviews the school's curriculum, facilities, and governance periodically to ensure compliance. I point that out to underscore that the private schools receiving state/federal monies are not the rogue institutions that this bill seems to think they are. Again, this bill is searching for a problem to solve, and I ask that you vote no.

It's my understanding that this will hurt my children's school. I'd like to respectfully submit my opposition.

I’m against this bill, it will strip away rights from parents, and places administrative and financial burdens on private schools, the government and taxpayers.

This bill strips away parental rights and religious freedoms from the people. It also places a larger burden on private schools, administrators, government officials, and the taxpayers. Please vote NO on HB359.

I am writing this feedback as a Democrat who believes that federal and state tax dollars should be spent on public schools. I do not believe that Delegate Helmer's bill , HB359, will keep more state tax money in public schools. It has the strong likelihood of doing the opposite. If enacted, who will monitor the administration of accreditation of private schools? Surely the cost of "administering" the SOLs paid by private schools provided in the bill would not fully cover the salaries of the state employees required to keep tabs on every private school in the Commonwealth. If it were sufficient, which state agency's employees would determine how much each private school owes and would be tasked with collecting the monies? How would the Commonwealth handle the funds if a profit was to be made from private education? What is the cost of one SOL test, scoring, and correspondence worth in a private setting? This measure could put small schools out of business. For example, North Star Academy in Henrico, a school for children with special needs, many of whom have IEPs, would be greatly affected and would likely close down. Their whole model is to educate special needs children who cannot thrive in a public school environment. Surely there are many such schools in your district which take in children placed by school districts because the districts cannot provide for them. Many of these children avail themselves of equitable services. Should they opt out of those resources to conform or subject their students to the state standards they have been released from by the school districts themselves? The same goes with the Rudlin Torah Academy (RTA) in Richmond. Those children attend RTA because that education allows for many of them to pursue religious secondary education in other cities. This is an educational path made unavailable to them with a public school education. The school cannot pay the cost associated with administering SOLs given that the vast majority of children are there on scholarships provided by the school. This might shutter the only Jewish elementary educational institution in the Richmond region. Perhaps this bill is in response to the impending federal tax credits from the Trump administration and the state opt-in by Governor Youngkin on his way out the door. However, this measure fails to consider the contribution of Free and Fair Education Equitable Services and voluntary school district placement in its calculus. The bill is a highly problematic, creating increased effort from the State Education Department and placing undue and punitive burdens on small private schools catering to populations which require alternatives. Respectfully, Lizzie Drucker

Dear Members of the Virginia Legislative Committee, I am writing to express my strong support for HB 1204, which enables local governing bodies to appropriate local school funds to families for compulsory student attendance in nonpublic school settings. As a parent who has homeschooled my own children, I understand the profound impact that educational choice can have on a child’s development, and I believe this bill offers a vital opportunity for families across Virginia to access the best education for their children. HB 1204 addresses a critical need by providing financial support to families who may not otherwise have the means to choose nonpublic education options, such as private schools or homeschooling, for their children. This legislation recognizes that one-size-fits-all education does not meet the diverse needs of every student. By allowing local funds to be directed toward nonpublic settings, the bill empowers parents to make decisions that align with their children’s unique learning styles, values, and aspirations. Moreover, this bill promotes equity in education by leveling the playing field for families with limited resources. Many parents, unlike myself, lack the financial means or time to provide alternative education options as required under Code 1-240.1. HB 1204 ensures that these families are not left behind, granting them the flexibility to pursue the educational paths that best serve their children. This is not just about funding; it is about fostering an environment where every child has the chance to thrive through personalized education. Personally, homeschooling my children was a transformative experience, made possible because I had the resources and time to dedicate to their education. I tailored their learning to suit their individual needs, something many parents long to do but cannot afford. I have seen firsthand how empowering parents with choice can unlock a child’s potential, and I am deeply invested in seeing other families gain access to similar opportunities through HB 1204. This bill directly impacts my community by ensuring that neighbors and friends who struggle financially are not forced into educational systems that may not suit their children’s needs. In closing, I urge your support for HB 1204. This legislation is a significant step toward educational freedom and equity, ensuring that all Virginia families, regardless of income, can choose the best path for their children’s future. It matters deeply to me and to countless others who believe in the power of parental choice in education. Sincerely, Craig DiSesa