Public Comments for 01/30/2023 Education
HB1397 - Student immunization requirements; parental opt out.
Against Op-Out for Parents. First, because of mandatory schools vaccines, we no longer worry about polio, Measels, chickenpox and mumps. Sure, you can hope that your child is not exposed, but will you take the responsability if he/she is and comes down with a severe reaction? One only has to look at the recent outbreaks in parts of Brooklyn when 684 persons got measels, 80% of which were children and 73% had never been vacinated. Measles case-patients were hospitalized with complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Second, what if you were a child who already had medical conditions; we must consider the safety of other children in the school and do all we can to ensure their health.
I support HB 1736. All students in family life education programs should view ultrasounds of unborn babies, Due to the wonders of technology, all can see the beauty of creation in the woman’s’ body during pregnancy. Availability to see this would give students a different and sobering perspective of what can happen as a result of the physical union of males and females. Undesired consequences of this act could be avoided in many cases if students understood the real possibilities of their actions. Perhaps, students would abstain or use birth control responsibly rather than rely on abortion to terminate a pregnancy.
Parents have the sole right and responsibility to determine what is put into their children’s’ bodies. The government has begun to add vaccines to the immunization schedule which are not necessary for public health concerns. Further, the amount of vaccines given and the short intervals at which they are given pose significant harms to the long term health of the child. Finally, the COVID 19 injection has already caused 22,457 deaths in Virginia alone yet the Virginia Department of Health still pushes this injection an all age groups. Clearly our public health system is not working in the best interest of our citizens. Parents have the authority to best protect the health of their own children.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
SUPPORT HB1397. All issues that concern parents rights and their children should be able to be discussed in a respectful manner, but, unfortunately, when vaccines are the topic of discussion people seem to reflexively force everyone to divide into two groups and then label one another as either pro-vax or anti-vax. However, we must resist the urge to do that and recognize that we all love our children and want what is best for them and their health. There are always many sides to every issue and vaccination requirements for children is no different. 1) Currently, Virginia is one of 44 states that have medical and religious exemptions for childhood vaccines 2) Also, Virginia already has one parental opt-out for the HPV vaccine Please don’t characterize people who support this bill as anti-vaxxers who will never give their children any vaccines ever and thereby endanger all vaccinated children. People who support this bill are for the parental rights\ of all Virginians’ to guide the upbringing of their children, including their health decisions, as they see fit and in accordance with their beliefs. People who support this bill are against parents being forced to give their children vaccines at ages or age ranges dictated by the state without any regard for and no knowledge of the personal medical situation or needs of the child. 1) Virginia is one of only 15 states that require the Hepatitis A vaccine for child care, pre-K, & school attendance, the other 34 states do not require the Hepatitis A vaccine for school attendance. 2) Virginia is one of only 9 states that require the Rotavirus Vaccine for child care and pre-K, the other 41 states do not require the Rotavirus vaccine at all. 3) Virginia is one of only 3 states that require the HPV vaccine, however, we do allow a waiver (which is basically an opt-out) the other 47 states do not require the HPV vaccine at all. Now, I’m not suggesting that Virgina should just blindly follow what the majority of other states do, but sometimes looking at what other people or in this case, other states are doing, can help give us some perspective and cause us to take a closer look at what we’re doing and why and question if it’s really necessary. So, based on the data I shared, I think it is not unreasonable to consider that perhaps Virginia currently has too many vaccines required for school attendance and it might be prudent to look into removing some of them and leaving those decisions up to the parents instead. I strongly support HB1397 which calls for adding a Parental opt-out (exemption) to the already existing medical and religious exemptions that Virginia currently has for childhood vaccines.
Vaccination technology has saved millions of lives throughout human history, including the global eradication of small pox which was one of the deadliest viruses in recent history. Giving parents the opportunity to opt out of critical life saving technology gravely and needlessly puts their own child at risk as well as others. This also contradicts pro-life talking points. It does not make sense why a parent would be allowed to decide what is best for their child, and potentially put them at risk of death, but not before birth.
HB 1397 should be opposed. If we allow this bill to pass, it will cause multiple levels of harm. While we Americans pride ourselves on personal liberties, diseases don't respect them. We should be trying to minimize risk where possible, especially with some of our community's most vulnerable, children. We aren't giving people vaccines for fun, they're helping us stay healthy and alive. We similarly don't require every vaccine for school attendance. Flu vaccines aren't required, despite them being recommended annually. Prior to polio's vaccine A LOT of people died, and A LOT of people were permanently disabled. With polio's vaccine, we give a series of four shots and the disease and the disease is virtually eradicated. We don't want to bring back hospital wards dedicated to keeping people alive with iron lungs. Our current law allows for religious and medical exemptions from vaccines. This proposed bill allows a parent to risk not only the life of their children, but the lives of their classmates who are unable to be vaccinated. We shouldn't be making school riskier for children with compromised immune systems because someone else's parents thinks they know better than our current best medical advice. Kids who need the currently allowed exemptions have more than enough on their plates as it is, we don't need to make school unsafe for them too.
HB1396: Please don't funnel public school funds toward private schools. If people want to send their kids to private school, they can pay for it themselves. HB1397: My kids go to public schools. Vaccination requirements keep them and their fellow students safe. Vaccinations are not an individual choice; they're a matter of public health. HB1434: Let kids get called whatever name they want at school. It's neither a problem nor an urgent matter for the legislature. Picking on trans kids just for being trans seems like pretty vile bullying, especially on the part of supposedly responsible adults like the Legislature. HB2170: Kids shouldn't need their parents' permission to take part in a school program. Especially if having to get it might out them to parents who'd make their home lives needlessly miserable. HB1566: My kids have been blessed to have outstanding teachers. Paying teachers more is an excellent and worthy use of my tax dollars. HB2031: Sounds like a win-win for Virginia farmers and schools. An excellent idea.
Vaccines are critical to public health. We need more people getting vaccinated, not less.
This is dangerous legislation if passed as introduced. Herd immunity is critical for the currently required immunization to work and protect our children. I have cared for children with measles, pneumococcal pneumonia, Hemophilus influenza meningitis, and whooping cough early in my career. Thanks to immunization requirements, I see much less of these illnesses. Yesterday, I saw a seventy-year-old who had polio as a child with the longstanding damage from his childhood polio in his right leg. Many children in this state have lost a parent or grandparent to COVID who were caring for them. Do not write off future COVID vaccination in the future. Since COVID is not required and is under emergency authorizations it would be reasonable to hold off it being required until evidence is in. As an aside, I have only seen one patient who had a significant reaction(rash) to the COVID vaccine, but I have seen one adolescent with COVID who had a major heart attack and 21 y.o with a stroke. Roger Hofford, M.D. FAAFP, CPE
New and/or experimental vaccines should not be required. Especially if the vaccine doesn't actually prevent you from getting and transmitting the virus. Also, traditional vaccines that actually work (like polio) should be required by schools.
Commenting as a mother of four sons who’ve been schooled in Hanover County K-12, the youngest now at Maggie Walker, addressing these three bills with common sense and zero fear of the “woke” and “cancel” crowds: HB1379: absolutely parents need to have easy access to understand what materials are accessible to children within our schools! There should be no reason our schools would want to hide this information. And parents are right to demand sexually explicit materials be removed. Our children are in school to be nurtured and learn reading, writing, arithmetic, science, technology and the arts. They are not there to be sexualized. HB1387: without a doubt biological sex must determine whether the child is on the boy’s or the girl’s team. As a mother of four boys, all of which played sports - and having previously operated a dance studio with girls from 3-18yrs old - I have years of experience and common sense to know that girls and boys need to be separated for sports due to many reasons including: rate of physical development, general strength, potential strength, and during pre-pubescent and puberty for emotional and hormonal differences. If I had a daughter in high school that was subjected to a male in her team’s locker room or on the court/ field - I’d be livid. No female, especially our youth should be subjected to such a ludicrous situation. Our young ladies (biological females to be specific) need us to provide THEM safe places to learn, grow and develop. If someone wants to “identify” as anything other than their biological sex, they should seek co-ed teams. HB1397: I strongly believe the parents need to be the ones deciding how to manage THEIR children’s health. While I personally support fully-approved, long-standing vaccines such as the polio vaccine, I am against forcing any vaccine simply because the government decides to mandate it. I didn’t have an opinion prior to the COVID-era “emergency approval, skip the longitudinal studies, mandate the vaccine,” followed by areas of the country going down the path of “show your papers” to receive services. Now I have a strong opinion - parents are the ones responsible for their children, not the government.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1399 - Elementary schools, etc.; designation of interscholastic, etc., sports, student participation.
As a man I am not threatened by people who were assigned female at birth participating in men's sports with me. My fiancee feels the same about women's sports. Also people who have medically transitioned to another gender have the same hormone levels as that gender and therefore the same ability to build muscle. HB1399 march does not represent the wants or needs of the people of Virginia, it represents the fear that men in the government have of a woman being stronger than them. Get over it. Lift weights to make yourself feel better instead of being sexist and transphobic. Why should especially youth athlete's teams and competitions be determined by people not living that life. There are also intersex people who may have other chromosomes than xy or xx (such as xxy) that were not assigned female or male at birth. now they can't play sports? they can't play with their peers and feel like a normal child of no fault of their own? You're demonizing children and adolescents who did not choose what body they were born into. There is no statistical evidence showing that transgender or intersex individuals have had any historical advantage in sports. In fact, there is more evidence that within people who were born male, there are more outlier biological advantages such as with Michael Phelps who has an unusually increased lung capacity, height, hand and foot size, and arm span to height ratio. This action again would do nothing for athletes but would only exclude children trying to live a healthy lifestyle by getting outside, exercising, and engaging in fun competition with friends. I play on a co-ed team where the women show up the men all the time because they have put time and effort into the sport. Even those who also play on the women's team as well are not threatened by men because they are strong and talented athletes. Don't diminish women's abilities, don't exclude children from getting a normal life, don't be the creep who's first thought when their child looses is what genetalia the winning child had. That's gross and creepy. Let kids be kids. Let talented athletes speak for themselves, we are perfectly capable of such without your unwelcome intervention.
I believe HB 1399 is the best legislation to address the sports issue in Virginia. Despite having to work through the gauntlet that HB 145 and SB 657 in 2020 created for girls and women in interscholastic sports, Delegate March's bill seems to find a way to determine the truth without invasive medical exams or embarrassing questions. At birth, no one knows how the child will identify later in life, and so the only thing a doctor can put is what is immediately observed: the child's biological sex. And to close the loophole created by SB 657, the bill's language makes it clear how to determine an accurate statement of biological sex: what was filed on the birth certificate at or near the time of birth. It also uses the term "biological sex at birth." So there is no question what is intended by the term and how it can be verified. There's no weaseling around this one. Vote yes for HB 1399 and vote to protect the integrity and fairness of female sports.
HRC Opposition to HB 1387 and HB 1399
To the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Virginia House, My name is Makenna “Mak” Atkins. I am transgender college student attending a public state university, VCU. I am concerned about the bills HB 1387 and HB 1399, which would bar students in all levels of education from participating in school sports. I ask that HB 1387 and HB 1399 are voted AGAINST and NOT passed. I have been involved in the sport of rowing since middle school, and have continued through college. Rowing is a sport that requires extreme cooperation and unity; as many as 8 people are moving a boat together. We often prize it as “the ultimate team sport”. I first did a summer camp, to try it out before joining the high school team in the fall. I fell in love with the sport; being out on the glassy water and in green nature on gorgeous sunny days, while moving a boat yourself, is a refreshing way to spend the afternoon or morning. I was on my high school team for all four years, being a leader as a coxswain. A coxswain is the leader of larger boats who steers, gives instructions, and helps the coaches run practices. I also have been a part of a collegiate aged summer team, as well an adult, or masters, team. I am now a part of VCU's rowing team, with an opportunity to compete nationally against other college club rowing teams, especially in this spring semester. Personally, for me my teams have been a huge part of my social life for the last 5 years and will continue to be a great source of friendship, as well as mentorship from older teammates and from coaches. My position within the sport has also helped me develop leadership and communication skills. It has also forced me to confront my anxiety to some level, and I have been able to develop confidence. Having other people depend on me and have a common goal to work towards together also helped my confidence as well fueled my motivation to work hard at something. I have been able to earn numerous ribbons, as well as two medals; one during a scholastic state championship and one during a national summer competition. I still have strong connections to my past and current peers and teammates, many of whom are my best friends. I could not imagine my life without this sport! There are many trans rowers and coxswains, who are integral part of the sport at every level, before and during higher education, and are welcomed in our community. Without being able to be on either my high school or collegiate team, I would have not found a wonderful and unique sport, nor a tight knit group of friends who are like family. For many kids and young adults sports are an accessible way to connect with other people and exercise, which helps our mental health, but also to put work towards a goal and achieve. If HB 1387 and HB 1399 are passed, myself and other transgender kids and young adults would be denied these benefits and opportunities, and would be isolated from our peers. I beg you to let transgender children and young adults of all ages be able to join and continue to be on our schools’ scholastic and collegiate teams, in ALL sports. It benefits us in all realms - mentally, emotionally and physically, and we benefit and strengthen our teams and communities, just as any other person does. HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 1399 (March) would bar this opportunity from us. I ask you to please NOT vote for these harmful and devastating bills. Thank you, Mak Atkins (he/they)
I urge you to vote NO on Bill 1387 & Bill 1399. These bills are going to isolate the most vulnerable members of our student bodies. Please do not contribute to the hate any longer. It’s not only harmful to the human beings you targeted but it’s harmful to everyone in our community with dirty boots on the ground. Our teachers, parents, children, sheriffs, realtors, farmers, pharmacies. You are destroying the very communities you are trying to grow. Vote NO on Bills 1387 & 1399 and let our communities heal.
As a resident of Virginia, I urge you to oppose HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March). I am worried about the continuing legislative attacks on transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people in our state. These two bills trying to ban transgender kids and young adults from sports are harmful, discriminatory, unnecessary, and frankly the opposite of good sportsmanship. Sports leagues like the NCAA have policies in place to ensure a level playing field while allowing opportunities for everyone to participate. Passing these two bills would be government overreach in an area that already has working policies to keep sports fair. Also, as someone who played on girls soccer teams growing up, I would have been happy to have a transgender girl on the team or to play against one to let her join in the joy and activity of the sport as herself. Every girl is an individual with different skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses--whether she is cisgender or transgender. Physical variations are vast, especially among kids and young adults as they are growing. Some sports favor small builds and flexibility, while others favor strength and speed. Being transgender doesn't necessarily provide you with any advantages or disadvantages. I always hear in arguments for bills like these about how transgender girls have higher testosterone, which supposedly gives them an advantage. As someone with PCOS, I have a higher level of testosterone than what is considered "average" among cisgender girls; I was still able to play sports and I was nowhere near the best player on my teams; I was never the fastest or strongest. The mere introduction of these bills causes distress to many of Virginia's citizens, both children and adults, athletes and nonathletes by rejecting an essential part of who they are. I want to live in a Virginia that is welcoming and supportive of all people, not discriminatory or even just tolerant. So I ask you to support our transgender, nonbinary, and intersex children and neighbors and encourage them to be themselves. Please say no to HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March). Thank you.
Oppose HB1387 and HB1399! Don’t single out trans students and essentially ban them from school sports. You are taking a group of KIDS already facing many challenges including possibly dealing with harassment and bullying, and taking away a chance to make friends and be a part of a team. The only thing you’re doing with these bills are increasing the divide between cis and trans students and trying to stop a problem that only exists due to hatred and misinformation.
I am writting to oppose HB1387 and 1399. As a Christian minister, I have worked with several teens and college age students who identify as trans. Some of them are athletes. As they struggle to claim and live into their identify, they face many challenges and struggles. The pressure of living genuinely leads to anxiety, depression and sometimes attempts of suicide. Anti-trans rules for athletics just increases these students' stresses. They have to choose whether their identity as a team member and athlete is more important or their gender identity that they are struggling to share and live into. It is ridiculous to think that any student would lie about their gender identity in order to excel at a sport. Please, put the safety and mental health of our trans students first as your priority and reject this bill.
I'm the mother of two transgender children who attended public school in Virginia. One of them participated in high school sports. People often focus the discussion about transgender youth participating in sports on concerns that at the elite level, transgender girls have an advantage over cis-gendered girls. This is a terrible misfocussing of the discussion and bars ALL transgender youth from participating in sports despite the fact that the vast majority of public school sports participants do not compete at an elite level. Participating in sports gives students a sense of belonging that our transgender youth desperately need. There are other solutions for concerns about elite level athletes. They can include science-based limits on testosterone levels and the same sort of "cooling off" period that the NCAA uses for MTF transgender athletes. Our commonwealth has advertised that "Virginia is for Lovers" since 1969. Let's find a way to love our transgender youth, not hate them and tell them that they are "less than."
I would like to voice my opposition to HB1387 and HB1399, both of which discriminate against trans and nonbinary/gender independent students. I am a teacher at one of our state’s pediatric mental health hospitals, and many of my students are transgender or gender independent/nonbinary. They often speak of not being accepted at their schools and feeling unsafe. I see the result of schools not supporting these students. They are in the hospital for attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and the list goes on. We know statistics show that LGBTQ+ students have a higher rate of dying by suicide than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. When students are denied opportunities to fully express themselves in supportive environments, they suffer. Our society is beginning to understand that gender is a construct that our society has created and that gender identity has nothing to do with biological sex. In addition, that construct is limited, allowing only for two genders, when in fact there are many. I know it can be very difficult for some to understand and accept this. Raising our consciousness can be at times difficult and time consuming work. But it is necessary for societies to become better. Let me remind you that you are being asked to determine how we will treat children and adolescents who are still developing cognitively, emotionally, and socially. It is our responsibility to provide safe environments in which they can be supported to develop and grow. I have heard some talk about the safety risk that allowing trans and gender independent individuals to play on the team that matches their gender identity poses to non-trans/non-gender independent students. Remember when we used to not allow black students and other students of color to attend school with white students out of fear that white students would be harmed? Another decision steeped in discrimination and based on another construct-race. What seemed so clearly right turned out to be profoundly wrong. I can understand that it can be very hard to get past the fear, often expressing itself in the form of anger, of something new. Maybe some of you are scared of what might happen as these brilliant and brave students ask us to allow them to do something never allowed in our schools before. But, I also imagine that all of you became politicians to affect change and to help Virginians, youth not excluded. I would say that whether we are ready for it or not, our society is changing, and trans/gender independent students are leading the charge. In 50 years, or less I hope, don’t you want to be the people who helped support what is right and just? Please support trans and nonbinary students, and all students, by allowing this very harmful legislation to die in this subcommittee.
I love my nephew, who is transgender and attends public high school. Students deal with so many stressors in school, including worries about school violence. Hearing that powerful lawmakers want to exclude them from sports makes life even harder for students like my nephew. I hope you think about the many Virginia public school students like my nephew. Please don't advance HB1387 and HB1399.
Good Morning, My name is Alanna and I am commenting on behalf of the gross government overreach that these bills would require. HB1387 would require a health provider to conduct a genital inspection and sign off on that? Call it whatever you want but that is exactly what "The bill requires identification of the student's biological sex on an athletics eligibility form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to be submitted by any such student who desires to try out for or participate in an interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport" would mean. It seems that there are many members of this General Assembly that are more pressed with taking individual rights away than creating policy that means something. The minors that these bills represent, just want to enjoy sporting activities or clubs, why gender needs to be brought into this is beyond me. I played baseball when I was a child and was heartbroken when at age 10 I had to play softball because "that's what girls played." Its not the same and removes the joy out of even playing any sport when one can't play what they chose to do. One final statement, my niece lives in the very Red State of Ohio and has enjoyed playing on the girls wrestling team for many years. What does Delegate March have against female wrestlers in HB1399. These bills are poorly written and flat out discriminatory.
HB 1387-NO HB1399 NO HB 1800 - NO HB 2272- yes
Please reject HB 1387 and HB 1399. It's cruel to exclude trans young people from playing sports with their peers. Like all kids, trans kids need to exercise, make friends, and learn the lessons about teamwork, discipline, and persisting through setbacks that sports can teach. Banning trans kids from sports denies them these important opportunities for growth. Worse, it sends them the message that they are unwanted. It sends other children the message that there is something wrong or bad about trans kids. It certainly doesn't serve the cause of fairness. My son's best friend growing up was trans. She was a kind, smart, funny kid that anyone would be happy to have their child play with. It hurts my heart to think of children like her being treated this way. Again, please oppose HB 1387 and HB 1399. Thank you, Anna Hebner Henrico
Dear members of the Higher Education Subcommittee, My name is Virginia Pannabecker. I live in Roanoke. I am writing to oppose HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 1399 (March), bills that would ban trans athletes from playing on the school sports teams that align with their gender identity, including in college-level club sports. I’m a Virginia community member and a parent of a college student and a high school student. I also work at a higher education institution. Many people I care about, family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, including some who are transgender. Beyond fun and the challenge of athleticism, sports offer opportunities to connect with fellow students and to grow important life skills like: leadership, confidence, self-respect, and teamwork. Teamwork is important to me - from when I was on my high school swim team, to today when I team up with colleagues or neighbors to work together towards shared goals. Being on a team where your teammates respect and appreciate you for who you are is also affirming and increases our connections to each other across our communities. All students deserve a chance to play sports, including trans youth and young adults. I would be proud to join my family, friends, and community to cheer for teams that include transgender athletes, whether K-12 or college. The Virginia that I see is a state that welcomes and accepts people. Where we all belong. I urge you to oppose these bills, HB 1387 and HB 1399. Thank you for your time.
Dear Chairman Freitas and members of the House Higher Education Subcommittee, Equality Virginia is the leading advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people in Virginia. We respectfully submit our strong opposition to House Bill 1387 and House Bill 1399. There is simply no to back up the concerns that proponents of these bills claim to have. A small percentage of people identify as transgender in Virginia, and not all of them are interested in playing sports, and even fewer of them are elite level. There are real issues with gender parity in sports when it comes to funding, resources, pay equity, and more. Promoting baseless fears about trans athletes does nothing to address those real problems. Transgender people do not have an inherent competitive advantage in sports by virtue of their transition. In reality, transgender women and girls compete at levels similar to all women. No female transgender athlete has qualified for the Olympics, despite rules permitting participation that have been in place for more than a decade. At the high school level, 20 states already allow trans kids to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was about opening up opportunities for people to be able to benefit from true, meaningful opportunities to participate in sports. Allowing transgender people to participate in sports doesn’t change that – it is part of that. Research from the Center for American Progress published in February 2021 highlights the “physiological, social, and emotional” benefits of youth sport participation. Their work also stresses how transgender youth are more likely to struggle with depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. There are two main takeaways from their report: 1) trans exclusionary sport regulations “deprive an already vulnerable group of the benefits of sports,” and 2) this sort of exclusion is likely to exacerbate the struggles of trans and gender nonconforming youth. Because allowing trans girls to compete in girls’ sports doesn’t hurt anyone, advocates for women and girls in sports such as the National Women’s Law Center, the Women’s Sports Foundation, Women Leaders in College Sports, and others support trans-inclusive policies and oppose efforts to exclude transgender students from participating in sports. Several local and national sporting institutions – including the Virginia High School League and NCAA – have adopted policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, designed to guarantee there is no competitive advantage conferred by transition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) – an organization dedicated to athletic competition at the highest level –has even adopted a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity. Moreover, HB 1387 and 1399 are part of a larger trend -- fueled and funded by national-level organizations -- to influence and interfere with state politics, particularly around youth identity. All of these bills seek to single out transgender young people and subsequently increase bullying and harassment by preventing them from participating in the sports they love. The Virginia I know and love is not one that passes legislation that puts kids in danger. I encourage you to oppose these bills.
1387 & 1399 VPEP Opposes There are only 9 transgender athletes in the entire state. This is a waste of State resources. VHSL already has a policy addressing this so State involvement is not required The IOC admits trans athletes under guidelines Because the VHSL and other leagues are capable of making their own policy, the only reason to enact a ban at the State level is to bully a portion of the population through legislative abuse.
I am writing this to oppose both 1397 and 1399. I am a transgender woman athlete and at the age of 41 I have competed against cisgender women almost the entirety of my life. I grew up riding horses and showing at equestrian competitions over fences. For the last three years I have played on a local roller derby team as well as the state all star team. I am also one of five trans women on quad roller skates that is a sponsored aggressive park skater in the entire world. You can read this and assume that I have all of this because I am a trans athlete. However, the truth of the matter is I have had to work harder at this than I have at anything else in my entire life. People have focused on trans athletes, and whether we have fair or unfair advantages when the fact is that there are only 25 at most trans athletes in VA schools at this present moment. You sit there and focus on the athletic side of things, while not actual taking in the factors of why people assume I would have an advantage. I can guarantee you what you’re doing is not saving women’s sports. I can also guarantee you that me having had testosterone through puberty doesn’t guarantee I have an advantage in sports. The only advantage I would have possibly had if I grew up in normal sports is the ability to have had more time put into the building of my athleticism. Growing up as a male, I would have had access to better equipment, better coaches, and more experience/expectations that what I do in sports in grade schools could lead to more options later in life. Women, whether trans or not don’t have that access still. Yet what you don’t see is the cis women I competed with growing up, and the teammates I have now are family. We do life together. We eat together, we train together, we celebrate each other, and we cry together. They come to me with questions and deep thoughts because they can trust me. By limiting sports for trans athletes you’re limiting social experiences for them as well. Now in my opinion that’s one of your goals because when you say “no kid left behind” that only means for the socially accepted kids that fall in line with what you believe. Again there are a max of 25 trans athletes in the entirety of Virginia public schools right now, and not a single one of them have “dominated” any sport. So tell me again why is this so important that we have 230 some anti trans bills in the United States as of this very moment, with over a dozen here in this state other than some agenda that is being pushed. These transgender athletes and kids basic human rights should always come before you’re inability to maneuver around being uncomfortable. Thank you for your time.
Strongly OPPOSE these bills. These bills essentially ban kids like mine from participating in sports. This type of legislation singles out trans youth and robs them of the many opportunities athletics provide: Being on a team, connecting with peers, and building confidence through physical activity.
The percentage of student athletes who identify as Transgender is negligible at best. These are more examples of Bills that are a waste of Taxpayer dollars, looking for a solution to a non-existent problem, and once again unnecessarily targeting a group of students.
VOTE "NO" HB 1387 and HB 1399 Here are my three reasons to oppose these trans athlete ban bills: 1) There is a perceived (though credibly debatable) “advantage” that trans girls would have in sports competitions against cis girls. Following this logic, it would make NO sense to exclude trans boys from male sports. My trans son played both soccer and baseball and it was so SO important for him to have that experience. And for his peers to experience him as a team member. (So, no, marginalizing [and outing] trans athletes into their own leagues is NOT acceptable.) 2) These days MANY trans girls NEVER go thru a “male” puberty. It is blocked from the start, and when they are ready, they go thru the correct female puberty. So, again, the above logic of the perceived “advantage” would not apply. 3) Also puberty arrives at different rates throughout the K-12 schooling years. So, even without hormonal intervention, many students (especially middle thru lower HS) would still not have this perceived advantage. 4) The only context where the perceived male-puberty advantage would come into play is for athletes in late-to-post testosterone puberty. There ALREADY exists a robust set of guidelines for such trans athletes thru the Virginia High School League (which middle schools also adhere to). The policy has guidelines for hormone levels and transition progression. Anything more robust than the VHSL guidelines is NOT appropriate and is simply discriminatory.
My name is Heather Massey and I’m a resident of Glen Allen, VA 23060. As the parent of a student, I’m writing to let you know that I oppose HB 1399. Categorically banning transgender youth from participating in sports singles out trans youth and robs them of the many opportunities that athletics provide: being on a team, connecting with their peers, and building confidence through physical activity. All students should have an equal opportunity to participate in sports. HB 1399 is discriminatory and harmful to youth and young adult trans athletes; therefore, I vigorously oppose it.
I support this bill because it is time to put common sense back into sports. Biological males are clearly stronger and heavier than biological females. Females will be unable to compete against a biological male for this reason and will never win at any sport. That means no awards or scholarships or the ability to develop their own athletic skills. Female competitors are placed at increased risk of injury when competing against biological males. Please go back to using common sense instead of what is "political correctness" and protect our female students. Thank you.
As a Virginia resident who has enjoyed the passion, camaraderie, and invaluable life lessons gained through scholastic sports, I cannot imagine those experiences having been denied to me because of my gender identity. Transgender people — especially children and young adults — are just as deserving of these formative experiences as their cisgender peers, and they deserve to have them on a team that represents and shares the gender that they align with. I am strongly against HB 1387 and HB 1399.
Our trans students deserve to participate in the sports of the gender they identify with. This legislation would involve such an incredibly small number of kids, it is not at all necessary. Trans kids already face such bullying that they don't feel welcome to participate in sports. For those brave enough to follow their athletic dreams, they should be allowed to play.
HB1387 and HB1399 are both travesties in waiting that would target Virginia's transgender and queer students by barring them from participating in school sports safely. These bills would force trans students to play for teams that don't align with their gender, and that would create environments of bullying, intolerance, and discrimination. Our trans students need to be able to be safe and themselves in order to prosper in education, and they should not be made into tools in some political game. As a transgender woman myself who went to Virginia's public schools, I know that we should be working to promote safety and inclusion for transgender students, not forcing them out of public life and into the closet.
I oppose HB1399. Allowing trans youth to participate in school sports has many benefits and no costs except for the transphobia being whipped up by bills such as these. The VHSL has developed reasonable policies to allow trans youth to participate. Demonizing our kids and artificially creating conflicts has no place in education. Our trans youth deserve the same opportunities as cis-gender youth.
In summary of my spoken statement, "biological sex" is a meaningless category when transgender individuals become involved, as a result of the way hormone replacement therapy affects trans people physiologically and the fact that many trans youth have not progressed through puberty enough to benefit from sexual dimorphism. I urge the Committee to consider the statements of experts, which support the fact that biological sex is not necessarily a predictor for athletic capacity: I cite the peer-reviewed article “Race Times for Transgender Athletes” by Joanna Harper and the Expert Declaration of Joshua D. Safer in the case Hecox v. Little in the Idaho District Court in particular; I have attached both of them for your review (the documents have been combined into one PDF for submission).
Re: HB1387 & HB1399. These bills promise to do irreparable harm to transgender youth across the state of Virginia, denying them safe, affirming access to intramural, club, and collegiate sports. While the bills' language does not explicitly mention transgender students, by defining and explicitly separating students on antiquated and oversimplified notions of biology and sex, the bills impact not those who align those notions, but rather stigmatizes, alienates, and denies equal access to those whose identities do not align with sexual binaries. Transgender athletes are a minority who pose no threat to their cisgender peers; instead the exact opposite occurs, as trans students are systematically and individually targeted by other people. As with any other student and athlete, we seek to play sports without having our identities threatened and pathologized by the state. Equal access does not stop at biological sex- for trans athletes to participate as our full selves, we must be allowed to play with the gender we identify with, not with the sex the state has imposed upon us. Transgender athletes DESERVE to participate with their peers, and reap the benefits of sports in public education.
I am strongly opposed to gender segregate youth sports and athletics clubs. Whether girls want to play on boys teams or transgendered students want to play on the sport group that aligns with their preferred gender. Please let us move forward as a society and not continue to go backwards due to fear and misinformation!
These bills are nothing but transphobic bigotry wrapped in the guise of “protecting women’s sports.” There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that trans athletes have a competitive advantage over their cisgender competitors. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357259/ ) The only purpose they serve is to drive vulnerable trans youth out of public life, while pandering to the right-wing hate mob. I urge all delegates - particularly those who claim to be “pro-life” - to listen to the science and oppose these harmful bills.
Requiring students to pass a genital check before participating in any sport is a violation of privacy. Yearly general pediactric examinations do not already include genital inspections, nor do they examine secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts. This bill would require students to either visit a practitioner who conducts these tests, or require general pediatricians to perform atypical tests that unnecessarily violate a student’s privacy.
Banning a specific group of people based on their gender is discrimination. The mere thought of having the audacity to enact such a bill is absolutely disgusting, and it is humiliating that laws like this are even being discussed in a country like the US. This is a country that was founded on differences in belief, ideals, and backgrounds with the purpose for a freedom of expression. Refuge to those who are in need and those of diversity, is encouraged not demolished. Equality, rights, and independence is the basis of who we are. Just as the state has no interlude to the ideals of the church, the state should hold no opposition to the identities of its own people and how these people choose to participate in organizations specifically developed for wellbeing and team-building. A sport organization should be able to decide for themselves who they want in their team. Proposing a law such as this is authoritarian and against the very nature of why this nation exists.
Please vote to defeat bills HB 1387 and HB 1399. Youth and young adults learn a lot of important lessons in sports: sportsmanship, leadership, confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, and what it means to be part of a team. All students deserve access to this kind of enrichment and growth. Transgender students want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other students do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong. We shouldn’t discriminate against young people and ban them from playing sports with their friends just because they’re transgender. Appropriate locally based procedures already exist to manage the very few instances statewide of transgender students seeking to participate. There is simply no purpose to statewide legislation to address a circumstance that is already being handled in the few cases that exist. The mere introduction of these bills has a negative impact on our community. Please support transgender and nonbinary students by rejecting these bills that would take away their right to an equal and unencumbered educational experience.
Trans youth have a right to participate in sports just like everybody else. Allowing students to play on teams that align with their gender identity will simply even the playing field for both boys and girls. The range of body types will widen and it will all balance itself out. Frankly, it is shameful that this is even an issue on the table.
This is complete nonsense. Transgender athletes deserve to compete. As a transgender person and a parent of a transgender child I am so disgusted by this. We always say we're a free country and shit like this makes that the biggest lie I've ever heard. You are ruining transgender lives, treating us like we either don't matter or we're freaks.
The cruelty is the point. So they tell me. When my parents immigrated to Virginia, they had to catch up to a system that irrationally targeted them on the basis of their melanin. On some level we'd managed to figure out the irrationality of that. Or maybe we'd moved it to other groups. With slurs. Media portrayal. Conspiratorial perceptions. The "gay agenda" if you will. It's been three decades since my parents moved here and we've moved onto a new target. Why? I'm not exactly sure. All I know is it's impossible to legislate people out of existence. Everytime we try it ends with suffering and a inability to atone. The kids are the scapegoat. The kids are taught to hate themselves. Because the cruelty is the point. And maybe, maybe it shouldn't be. tl;dr let the kids play ball
I opposed to these two Bills!
I oppose these transgender athlete bans because sports participation is about so much more than winning. These bans will effectively prohibit transgender students from ever being part of a team and a school community based only on their identity. And so much more goes into athletic performance anyway than only your biological makeup: access to elite coaches and teams, nutritionists, time and transportation to practice, inner motivation and determination, mental grit, even networking connections that might get you on a team or seen by a college coach, all make a difference. Boiling down participation on a sports team at any level simply based on biology at birth will not level the playing field. It discriminates against transgender athletes simply because of who they are. Please vote no on these bills.
Banning a specific group of people based on their gender is discrimination. The mere thought of having the audacity to enact such a bill is absolutely disgusting, and it is humiliating that laws like this are even being discussed in a country like the US, a country that is supposed to represent a refuge to those who are in need, a country that was supposed to be a place where diversity is encouraged not demolished, a country that was built on the proposition that all people are equal and their equal rights should not be infringed. On top of that. It is not the state's business to decide who gets to participate in organized sports. A sport organization should be able to decide for themselves who they want in their team. Proposing a law such as this is authoritarian, against the very nature of why this nation is founded.
OPPPOSE HB 1387 and HB1399 Please see the document below with a personal story about a student athlete in Henrico County Public Schools. Thank you, Shannon McKay
Being trans should not exclude students/children from participating in school sanctioned sports. You are taking someone who is already vulnerable to exclusion by their peers and further excluding them with law. This is an opportunity for all students to participate in team building, getting exercise, and being apart of a community and it would be incredibly cruel to use the power of the law to forbid them from doing so should they wish.
I urge the committee to vote NO on HB 1387 and HB 1399. Both bills seek to ban transgender students from participating in sports as their genuine selves. They go far beyond banning students from being on teams that compete against other schools. They ban transgender students from participating in any sport at any level—including clubs and intramurals. They ban schools from competing against other schools and clubs that don’t have similar bans. And they include vague “bounty” provisions that encourage legal action against any club, any school, and anyone who doesn’t go along with these bans. These provisions aren’t just for K-12 schools. They also apply to Virginia’s public universities. Universities would suddenly be in the business of checking the birth certificates of everyone signing up to play in the women’s intramural softball league or join the men’s rugby club. Our universities would also be banned from competing against private universities that also don’t have similar bans, wreaking havoc on schedules and participating in tournaments. These draconian bans are purported solutions in search of a problem. The Virginia High School League and the NCAA already have policies in place for transgender students to compete in sports. Those policies work. And as a practical matter, transgender student athletes are literally not a problem. About 75,000 girls play on high school sports teams in Virginia and are under no threat from the 9 transgender students who applied for VHSL approval to play. More fundamentally, these bills tell transgender children and young adults that they do not matter. That they are a threat. That they are a problem. That they do not belong. That they do not deserve the opportunity to participate in sports—at any level—with their friends. We should encourage children and young adults to participate in sports, not ban them. Please vote NO on HB 1387 and HB 1399 and instead spend your valuable time focused on the legitimate problems and challenges facing higher education in Virginia.
My name is L.F. Brown and I write in OPPOSITION to House Bill 1387 (Greenhalgh) and House Bill 1399 (March) as both bills infringe on the rights of SUPPORTIVE PARENTS, as well as, gender expansive, non-binary, and transgender students who seek to participate on K-12 and college level sports teams that align with their gender identity. Every school district in Virginia allows for student participation in ALL clubs within the structure of the school environment. Singling out transgender athletes in such a ban would negatively impact the shared excitement and camaraderie experienced being a part of a team. Team sports provide an opportunity to develop leadership skills, self-discipline, in addition to the important life lesson of resilience following team defeat. Notedly, the policies of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) ensure a level playing field for all students. These established processes have operated for many years without challenge. In my opinion, House Bill 1387 (Greenhalgh) and House Bill 1399 (March) serve as a solution in search of a problem. I strongly OPPOSE these bills.
I OPPOSE HB1399 and HB1387 for so many reasons including that it goes against NCAA and VHSL standards. In a time, where children are struggling with anxiety, depression along with childhood obesity, I can't see taking sports away is going to help any of that, especially from any child in k-12. All children deserve to play sports on a team that makes them feel safe and accepted. Forcing a transgender child play on a team of the opposite sex not only doesn't affirm them as their true selves, but it puts them in harms way and outs them to their peers. In the last 6 years the VYSL has only had 26 variance requests. This year there was maybe 4 requests for a trans athlete to play sports, we aren't talking about a problem, you're creating a problem by banning them from sports. Don't create a problem when their isn't one. Focus on a legacy that includes accepting all students regardless of their gender identity, not their worth as a political pawn for your career. Again, I oppose HB1387 and HB1399!
We oppose these bills. These bills would ban trans athletes from playing on the school sports teams that align with their gender identity, effectively banning them from school sports entirely. This can have serious long-term negative impacts on these students’ health, education, and well-being. Thank you for your service to our Commonwealth and for the opportunity to provide feedback.
I writing to ask you to vote no on HB 1387 and 1399 - banning trans kids from participating in sports. My question to you is this - why do we have sports in schools? There is a lot of research on how sports help build key life skills for kids as well as improve their physical health. We also have sports to promote values of teamwork, perseverance, and ethical behavior in competition. Engagement in sports has been shown to improve self esteem, focus, and executive functioning skills. Sports programs in public education are NOT supposed to be farm schools for professional sports or scholarship programs to get into colleges. While we know that is a common feature of our schools, we need to keep those considerations out of decisions on who gets to play. In fact, excluding trans Virginia students violates the very values those programs are designed to promote. If the concern is "fairness" - remember that - unlike professional sports - Virginia has an obligation to educate and support ALL kids - yes, even the trans ones - in the Commonwealth. ALL kids in our school system are supposed to be welcome to engage in sports. And ranges of skills and body types are inherent in sports at this age. Teams may be made up of a 120lb 5 foot tall kid who hasn't hit puberty yet and the 6ft tall, 200lb kid who hit it early, even when they both have the same sex. Coaches work hard to make sure everyone is able to play safely together. In addition, these bills reinforce false beliefs that all boys are *always* better at sports than all girls, and the reason girls need their own teams is because they cannot compete with boys. These false beliefs are why these bills do not ban trans boys from boys teams, and only bans trans girls from girls teams, regardless of whether those trans girls have gone through male puberty, been on blockers, or have started HRT. This false belief in male superiority in sports is not even true with fully grown adults in professional sports, let alone in middle or high school. In addition, professional sports organizations have existing regulations and standards for trans athletes already, most of which allow trans athletes to compete if they meet specific criteria. This proposed law does not even follow the example of these organizations who determine who competes at the highest levels! Finally, where is the evidence of *actual* harm from allowing trans girls to participate in girls sports? Where are the injuries or lost scholarships? Feeling icky about trans people does not count as actual harm. And if you cannot provide *actual examples of harm*, why are you trying to pass this law? You have an obligation to protect and support ALL students in Virginia - including the trans kids. Vote no on these bills.
I am writing in opposition to HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March), which would ban transgender children and young adults from competing on school athletics teams that align with their identified gender. These bills are solutions in search of a problem. Transgender athletes are not, as their adversaries would claim, destroying girls' and women's athletics. Trans athletes are actually underrepresented in athletics in general, and are particularly underrepresented on medals platforms - in either men's or women's divisions. The notorious "winning" trans female athletes are rare, and there is no indication they will become any less rare. I am not aware of are any competitive trans athletes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lawmakers traditionally do not enact legislation unless there is a demonstrated need or issue. In this case, no such need or issue exists. All that exists is a moral panic relating to a few athletes in other parts of the country, the most notorious of whom are no longer involved in competitive athletics. What these bills actually do is to stigmatize and "other" members of the transgender community, tarring them as cheaters and reducing transgenderism to nothing more than an excuse to cheat. The notion is patently ridiculous that anyone would profess membership in such a ruthlessly oppressed minority in order to win at athletics. There are much, much easier ways for athletes to be competitive that do not involve the innumerable deep sacrifices and personal costs one must endure to transition to the non-birth gender - namely training. Finally, these bills aren't just about transgender athletes. They impact the entire transgender community by vilifying its people, inducing and reinforcing moral panic against them, and carving out a slippery slope by which other civil rights may be eroded away. These bills are a way of eroding transgender dignity. They are a way of punishing transgender people for being different. And they are a way of telling them that they are not welcome to participate fully in society. America is the so-called "Land of Opportunity," and yet we seek daily to deprive many of our people of opportunity. A "level playing field" first requires all athletes should be allowed simply to step onto the field. These bills give different rights to different classes of people, and that's simply un-American. I urge the subcommittee to oppose HB1387 and HB1399.
Regardless of where you stand on gender politics, trans kids are still just kids. They are beloved children, friends, classmates - and teammates. Every student deserves the opportunity to find a space where they feel they belong and participate in an after-school activity that they find meaningful. Why would we deprive young people of the opportunity to find a space where they can flourish and live up to their fullest potential? Sports teams can provide a young person with a support system, collaboration skills, discipline, and long-lasting life lessons. Are we going to rob students of this valuable opportunity simply because we do not understand the way they dress or the pronouns they use? Individual expression and non-discrimination are values we hold onto dearly, but do these values not apply to trans students? Every student deserves the opportunity to participate in enriching activities that help them to build a happy, healthy life.
I am writing to urge you and, if necessary, beg you to not ban transgender kids in k-12 from participating in sports and in club sports for older kids. Sports is an outlet they desperately need for their health and mental well being. There is little to no evidence of their participation limiting non trans kids from participating. It has been our experience that people encourage and welcome trans kids to be part of teams. Furthermore, everyone learns and benefits and becomes more compassionate humans because of it. Thank you for reading and seriously considering my comments and experiences. A. Cahill Amanda
Transgender youth and adults deserve the the same rights to participate in sports and other activities as cisgender youth and adults.
I strongly oppose both proposed bills. Trans athletes deserve to be able to participate in any college sport of their choosing, if the team aligns with their declared gender identity. Sports teams are already not particularly inclusive places where locker room language often stops LGBTQ+ folks from taking part in team sports, let's allow this to be a team or school decision not enforce a ban statwide - republican beliefs should support the stance of delegating this choice to teams.
Female sports were created by women to give women and girls a fair and safe way to participate and compete in athletics. Men and boys are not better or more skilled athletes; however, the differences between male and female bodies put them on a different playing field than women and girls. Allowing male athletes to identify as female will force women and girls out of our own sports. It also puts women and girls at serious risk of injury in contact sports. Male can never become female or vice versa. Women are not small men or men with low testosterone. We are fully embodied beings. Our female bodies are powerful and have unique strengths and needs. This is plainly obvious in sports.
OPPOSITION for HB 1399, a bill to deny participation in public school athletics activities to transgender students.
Its unbelievable that there is now a need to BEG legislators to recognize what a Boy or Girl in fact is in reality. The SICKO special interests which controls the atmosphere as well as the democrat party are disgustingly responsible for funding a socially constructed perverted CULT which knowingly intends HARMS purposely using MINORS as BAIT. Every one of you should’ve taken a stand against Stripping Female rights to safety, privacy, dignity and language while nothing but total dishonesty has fueled self hatred amongst Children to the point kids are now being branded with sex habit/fetish labels in effort of spreading a fashion that seeks to disqualify actual birth rights while drugging them into the delusion that it’s their choice to sterilize, mutilate and misrepresent the reality that personality and outfit choice do not determine male or female !! It’s very obvious who is sincere and who lies at ANY cost knowingly !!!!
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1415 - Richard Bland College; governance.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1492 - Special education and related services; certain deadlines.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
VCASE will still communicate its opposition to HB1492. We appreciate Del. Davis' concern for school staff addressing special education timeline concerns. We summarize some thoughts, having not yet seen the substitute bill that he indicated would be offered: 30 Day IEP Timeline - In the original HB1492, determining a 30 school (or business) day timeline for the development of the IEP following eligibility determination is in violation of federal IDEA law and regulation. Federal regulation says "30 days," and without any other descriptors, this means calendar days, as Virginia localities follow and as VDOE monitors and holds localities accountable. Any delay of implementing the IEP development and services beyond 30 calendar days would be a violation of IDEA, where a parent could file a complaint or file a request for a costly due process hearing. Not good for kids, and their families, and adverse for local divisions' federal accountability. 65 Day Eligibility Timeline - The original HB1492, provides for a permission to complete evaluations and determine eligibility for special education prior to the Virginia regulations allowing 65 days. Federal law, regulation, and Virginia regulation already permit evaluations and eligibility determination to occur prior to the Virginia 65 day timeline. This permissive component of HB 1492 is not necessary as I have communicated with Del. Davis. We believe that the problem some teachers are experiencing is primarily a local administrative matter versus a statewide policy matter. In VCASE's communication with local special education directors, the length of this timeline has not emerged at all as a critical issue across the Commonwealth. With shortages of school psychologists, teachers, and related services staff, it seems that every day of that 65 day timeline could be necessary for many schools and divisions to complete assessments and determine student eligibility for special education. VCASE would still oppose this unnecessary legislation if this component of HB1492 alone constituted the substitute. Thank you for your support of special education staff as they comply with IDEA timelines providing services for students with disabilities!
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
The dates affected by this Bill are set by Federal Law. Does the sponsor want to over-ride federal law or just make things more difficult for teachers and districts?
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1566 - Public school teachers and other Standards of Quality-funded positions; compensation.
Teachers are our most precious resource! They deserve to be paid a competitive rate. They deserve WAY more than a competitive rate!
Please support HB 1566, Compensation of public school teachers and other Standards of Quality funded positions. Attracting well-qualified teachers and staff to work in public schools is of utmost importance in ensuring that graduates of Virginia schools are prepared to enter college and/or the workforce. It could make the difference between a future of productive , self-supporting citizens or citizens who require the support of social services. There is no better investment of the Commonwealth's financial resources than in the ability of students.of students to function successfully in our advanced society. Let's devote a large share of the wealth of our state to a well educated future population.
Increase pay for Teachers
Teachers are some of the most important and influential people in our children's lives. Our children grow up to be the citizens of our state and country that will decide the success or failure of our democracy. A price tag cannot be put on this value. Teachers deserve our respect and a salary that recognizes this. How does Virginia expect to attract good business opportunities for its citizens if it does not have good schools? We need to put our money where we claim importance. We are hemorrhaging teachers at this time. Stop the bleeding and provide a salary that will keep our teachers.
Let low-income students show their capability. Cover the fees for AP and IB exams.
We ask a lot of our teachers. Let's be a state that attracts more of them.
Please pay teachers above the national average. These teachers are breaking their backs everyday to educate the next generation of America leaders. It is disgraceful that teachers do not get paid hardly enough to function in daily life and afford the basic necessities. Teachers have enough to deal with in and outside of the classroom and so many are leaving for various reasons that need to be addressed, but one reason in particular is how little they are being paid. If America wants to invest in its future, then invest in the very people who are preparing our next generations: teachers.
I am FOR HB1566, Raising the average teacher pay above the national average. As the study "Teacher Retention Policy Coherence: An Analysis of Policies and Practices Practices Across Federal, State, and Division Levels" (VCU 2022) states, "There are a number of reasons for this shortage, ranging from meager salaries to difficult working conditions." Efforts to train and retain teachers in an era of inflation can show appreciation for a hard job that starts befor and ends well after the school bell rings. Teachers also have to pay their own bills, but unlike other positions, teachers have to pay for classroom supplies out of pocket, or fundraise for necessities. I have recently met several parents who would not pay for their child's college expenses if they went into education because of the pay. Certainly Virginia, classified as one of the wealthiest states, can do better.
I support paying teachers at a competitive rate, above the national average. We need to attract the very best teachers in VA! Please vote Yes!
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
VPEP Supports this proposal Virginia Teachers should be appropriately compensated
1454 - are you serious? Anyone who remotely values having an educated society will oppose 1454. Good Lord. 2170 is also utterly ridiculous. I OPPOSE 2170, of course. This undermines students' ability to explore their extracurricular interests in the school setting. 1707 and 2432 - I OPPOSE these. These bills would threaten the safety of trans students. 1803 - I OPPOSE this. People need to trust educators to do their jobs, and not impose their beliefs on public schools. I SUPPORT 1497 and 1566. It is disgraceful how educators are treated in this country, and these bills would begin to rectify that. Thank you, Delegates Convirs-Fowler and Rasoul. I support 2388 and 2439. I SUPPORT 2177 as a foreign language teacher. I just wish more bills promoting foreign language education could be on the agenda.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
HB1396: Please don't funnel public school funds toward private schools. If people want to send their kids to private school, they can pay for it themselves. HB1397: My kids go to public schools. Vaccination requirements keep them and their fellow students safe. Vaccinations are not an individual choice; they're a matter of public health. HB1434: Let kids get called whatever name they want at school. It's neither a problem nor an urgent matter for the legislature. Picking on trans kids just for being trans seems like pretty vile bullying, especially on the part of supposedly responsible adults like the Legislature. HB2170: Kids shouldn't need their parents' permission to take part in a school program. Especially if having to get it might out them to parents who'd make their home lives needlessly miserable. HB1566: My kids have been blessed to have outstanding teachers. Paying teachers more is an excellent and worthy use of my tax dollars. HB2031: Sounds like a win-win for Virginia farmers and schools. An excellent idea.
Please support HB 1497 and HB 1566. I took early retirement from Chesterfield Schools at the end of the ’20-’21 school year. Since that time I have seen countless friends and colleagues leave the profession at increasing rates whether they are retirement age or not. They have become scapegoats for Conservative “Parents’ Rights” movements fomented by national “think tanks’ and campaigns to stir up voters of a certain political bent. Daily job requirements and administrative asks have multiplied to the point that classroom teachers find themselves spending inordinate amounts of time documenting instead of helping and instructing students. Post-pandemic student needs and a dearth of resources mean there are more behavioral needs and challenges than ever before. While all of this is going on, the House Education Sub-committee recently voted not to report a simple Bill that would have guaranteed the most harried educators of all, our elementary teachers, a 30 minute unencumbered lunch. Most notable of all, the first action of our new Governor was to declare war on public education with 2 Executive Orders, one that negated current CDC guidance regarding masking at the time and another which sought to root out “inherently divisive concepts” in Virginia curricula with McCarthy-esque zeal!! Teachers earn about ¼ less than people in comparable professions, which is making it hard to attract and keep teachers and other school staff. As a result schools are short staffed. To attract teachers back to the classroom teacher pay must be increased. That is why it is important to vote for HB 1497 and HB 1566.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1575 - Internet Safety Advisory Council; powers and duties.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
To the Education - Early Childhood/Innovation Subcommittee. I am here in the committee room and would like to speak if permitted. I am writing on behalf of the Virginia Moose Association (VMA) to respectfully ask you to vote YES on HB1575, which will be coming before the Subcommittee on Early Childhood/Innovation today. HB1575 would have the Department of Education, in conjunction with law enforcement agencies and internet safety specialists, develop a program for internet safety protocols in Virginia’s Public Schools. The VMA and its parent organization, Moose International, has long supported educating youth about the dangers that social media usage, cyberbullying, and volunteering personal information can pose to their physical safety and mental health. The Safe Surfin Foundation, which was created by Sheriff Mike Brown (Bedford – retired) is one of the programs that VMA and Moose International support, partially with the use of charitable gaming proceeds. Virginia has 83 Moose Lodges and over 66,000 members throughout the Commonwealth. The Moose is one of the largest, and most charitable, fraternal service organizations in Virginia and the country. Your support of our efforts on behalf of the safety of children in our local lodge communities is greatly appreciated. Please vote to support this important legislation, HB1575. Respectfully yours, David W. Jones Virginia Moose Association 804-228-4502 202-439-2631 (cell)
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1507: I support the constitutional rights of parents to direct childrens' education. HB1575: I support Delegate Walkers SWAT bill. HB2269: I support using these pandemic relief funds for schools.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1626 - Radford University; reduced rate tuition charges, students who reside in Appalachian region.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1698 - Child day programs; exemption from licensure, certain programs offered by local school divisions.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1760 - Virginia Teacher Residency Training Corps; established.
The Virginia Education Associations supports HB1760 . We believe that the passage of this bill would reduce teacher shortages.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1762 - Teacher Reengagement Program; established, report.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
Committee Members, I am reaching out to you regarding HB1762: Teacher Reengagement Program. Loudoun schools, like the other districts in Virginia, are struggling to staff classrooms and directly support our students. Delegate Reid’s bill works to make strides in this critical area. Bringing in, actually intentionally working to bring in and incentivize, school system retirees and other individuals who will support our students is a way to begin to solve the staffing crisis we have in Virginia. I urge you to examine the merits of this bill and move forward to support Virginia’s students and public schools. I welcome any questions you may have: 703.409.5825 Sincerely, Sandy
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1800 - Higher educational institutions, public; transparency, lobbying contracts.
HB 1387-NO HB1399 NO HB 1800 - NO HB 2272- yes
I am attaching a recent report from the Virginia Association of Scholars (VAS) that documents the amount of money spent on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Virginia public colleges in recent years. The author notes that the true cost is not available because he could only use publicly available sources. The figures cited are therefor an underestimate . That fact argues for HB 1800 so that the true cost may be known. The VAS is a state affiliate of the National Association of Scholars which has been following this topic for a number of years. Speaking personally, HB 1800 would help to expose the expanding amount of resources devoted to the substitution of propaganda for standard disciplines. DEI has no research supporting its use and indeed studies and articles appear regularly now suggesting that it is ineffective in reaching its own claimed goals.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1803 - Public elementary and secondary schools; certain opportunities for parental involvement.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
Overall I agree with this bill. Schools should be transparent with the curriculum and parents should have the opportunity to review any educational materials prior to classroom use. I also agree that parents should be able to opt out of any data collection. I am concerned that this bill does not have an opt-in provision for any explicit material. Consent should not be assumed.
VPEP Opposes this Proposal VPEP Trusts our Librarians. Virginia law currently still lists any mention of homosexuality as "sexually explicit" This law could be used to remove all Queer literature from school libraries. Many classic books like "1984" have sex as part of the story. This law paves the way for a puritanical purging of books on ideological grounds disguised as a "decency" sweep. Don't tell my kid what they can read!
1454 - are you serious? Anyone who remotely values having an educated society will oppose 1454. Good Lord. 2170 is also utterly ridiculous. I OPPOSE 2170, of course. This undermines students' ability to explore their extracurricular interests in the school setting. 1707 and 2432 - I OPPOSE these. These bills would threaten the safety of trans students. 1803 - I OPPOSE this. People need to trust educators to do their jobs, and not impose their beliefs on public schools. I SUPPORT 1497 and 1566. It is disgraceful how educators are treated in this country, and these bills would begin to rectify that. Thank you, Delegates Convirs-Fowler and Rasoul. I support 2388 and 2439. I SUPPORT 2177 as a foreign language teacher. I just wish more bills promoting foreign language education could be on the agenda.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote.
HB1816 - Standards of Learning; instruction on dangers and victims of communism.
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Communism and Socialism are a constant threat to the future of our country. The dangers and historically accurate details of the dangers and rise of Communism and Socialism need to be taught to all Virginians. Those lessons should include Venezuela, China, Vietnam, N. Korea, USSR (Soviet Union), Nazi Germany and the include the extremist groups and the atrocities committed by Communists and Socialists. It should also include being able to identify the methodology of indoctrination tactics used. We need to stop teaching kids to pass Standards of Learning Tests and concentrate on real life needs and training.
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It looks like most of these public comments are spam or unrelated... unfortunate for you all to have to sift through. I am also here to raise attention to the dangers of capitalism, and believe that if dangers of communism are addressed it is only fair to address the dangers and death toll of capitalism. Hundreds of millions have died under capitalism in this country and the world. If you haven't looked into it I suggest you do, it is eye opening. Critical thinking is key for us and for our students! Even when it is hard to read. Examples: Native American genocide in the name of "gold god and glory" (capitalism). According to research by University of London, 56 million indigenous people over about 100 years died. Population relocation, forced labor, dietary change, and other harms done to Indigenous people “were destructive in and of themselves in complex ways and often operated with disease to reduce American Indian populations" according to Clark Spencer Larsen and Thornton.
oppose hb1816 Hundreds of millions have died under capitalism, just in the 20th century and 21st century. Under CAPITALISM approximately 20 million people die every year. Students should be exposed to this knowledge as well to develop critical thinking skills and a well rounded understanding of consequences of all economic systems. This paints a one sided picture that makes it seem like there are no victims of capitalism, when in fact there are millions that would not have been harmed or died if not for capitalism. We have the ability to solve world hunger, there is enough money and enough food. But it has not happened because it is not profitable to do so under capitalism. 1/3 of global food production is thrown away and a person starves to death every 15 seconds. The list includes colonial wars, anti-communist campaigns, ethnic conflicts, famines or malnutrition, starvation, lack of access to clean water, lack of access to shelter, lack of access to medicine, malaria, the Irish famine, Indigenous genocide, the Great Depression, Jim Crow, and the Holocaust.
oppose HB1816 Students should be provided the opportunity to think critically about different economic systems. There is not a proposed "victims of capitalism day".... although it is clear that millions have been harmed by capitalism, where the poor get poorer and the rich get richer. Deaths occur because of lack of access to affordable healthcare, for example.
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Teaching about the dangers and victims of communism and socialism is essential for our students to understand. These communist governments from the 20th and 21st centuries, have killed the most people. The three worst communist governments, Russia, China and Cambodia, killed their own citizens and not during wartime. A conservative estmate on lives lost to communism is over 100,000,000 (one hundred million) human beings. This horrible blight on humanity is far worse than any religiously motivated murders by at least eight (8) orders of magnitude. It is incomprhensible this level of destruction. This is clearly as important if not more important than teaching about the Civil War, World War I and WWII. The devastation communism, and its sister, socialism, have wraught on humankind is the singular most significant catastrophy to hit human beings in the 20th century. It's resurgence in the 21st century can be due, in some part, to the ignorance of our younger adults and students. Schools and universities ignore these inconvienent truths, for what might be considered sinister reasons. Knowledge is power. We need this knowledge to have the power to prevent this from happening again. How can one of the world's worst atrocities be ignored? Those who forget history are destined to repeat it. On a similar vein, down grading and criticizing the political system of the United States, while not perfect, is a great lie that refuses to recognize our accomplishments as the greatest nation in the world. No other nation has the degree of freedom of thought, speech, religion and success. Our nation leads the world in innovation. Capitalism has lifted more people out of poverty than any other government on the face of the earth!
I support getting rid of daylight saving time. Studies have already been done. Use those and make it happen. Socialism is killing our country because radical leftists teach it to our youth. We must educate our children and all Americans how destructive socialism is and shut down those who support it. Clean energy sounds nice but not if it destroys the environment around it such as windmills killing birds and solar farms poisoning the ground. So what really is “clean” energy. DC should NEVER become a state. It was made a district on purpose.
HB2310 In Isle of Wight County, the town and county partnered to provide sewage to some new rich housing developments less than 1 mile from our much older established community of Battery Park, on the James and Pagan Rivers. Our village has notorious issues with the land not perking properly and many homeowners have been forced to install very expensive ugly sewage systems with much of it above ground. We have waited patiently for our turn but it appears it will never come. This would also improve the quality of the tidal waters we live so close to.
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I do not support a Convention of States. I do not appreciate my legislators supporting such ch legislation without proper input from people that actually live in her district.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
It really should be on the 5th of November. It’s easier to remember. Excerpts from Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn “The Gulag Archipelago” and Vaclav Havel’s “Power of the Powerless” should be required for high school students.
VPEP Opposes this proposal While several regimes that have called themselves "Communist" Are responsible for horrific behavior, the common thread across 20th and 21st century atrocity is authoritarianism, not Communism. Authoritarian regimes come in many flavors Communist, Fascist, Autocratic, and Oligopolic. To single out Communism seems to ignore the millions of victims of these other Authoritarians. This is Red-Scare moral panic and it has no place in the Commonwealth.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote.
HB1820 - Virtual school programs; virtual administration of certain through-year growth assessments.
HB1423, HB1424, HB1514, HB1526, HB1554, HB1593*, HB1629, HB1700, HB1701, HB1713, HB1820, HB1821, HB1823, HB1824, and HB2124 because our students are having problems in public schools. More parents are removing their kids and sending them elsewhere. Previous attempts at helping only wasted tax dollars and we're not seeing anything but kids who don't know facts and can think critically. Time for a change. Lets move to report these bills and push our Virginia students to a better, more educated and equipped future! Please move to report these bills. Thank you.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
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HB1825 - Child care; background checks for applicants for employment, etc.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1861 - Virginia Museum of Transportation; established, report, membership, board of trustees.
Dear Mr. Chairman and Distinguished Committee Members, Thank you for the opportunity to support HB1861 to elevate the Virginia Museum of Transportation to state agency status. I absolutely appreciate the bi-partisan support this Bill has received thus far in both the Virginia House and Senate. I know time is of the essence, so I will be brief, placing my comments in bullet point fashion. - The Virginia Museum of Transportation has been serving Virginians as well as visitors throughout the world for 60 years this spring. During this time, the museum has improved its collections, its educational programs, its buildings, and much more. It is a treasure, and one that is valued by the hundreds of thousands of visitors and students who have been through its doors. - Despite the cursory appearance of our online 990 filings, the Museum is financially strong with over $500,000 in both restricted and unrestricted funds in the bank excluding funding approved by last years General Assembly. If you back out depreciation, and one-time costs associated with exhibits covered by restricted private funds, it's easy to see that the museum has a positive cash flow. -Over the past 25 years the museum has received no state funding yet has always met all of its financial obligations. While we understand how easy it is to assume so, we are not coming to you for a bail out. -The museum serves over 100,000 visitors annually (approximately 35,000 are students there for educational purposes). We serve even more visitors during historic locomotive excursions. - Over one in ten jobs in the U.S. are related to transportation. The Virginia Museum of Transportation plays a much needed role in introducing our young people to the past, present, and future of transportation, which as you know is undergoing substantial changes at present. We need sharp interested young people choosing sciences and other avenues of education which support our transportation systems, and do so with our ecology in mind. The transportation sector represents more than 10% of our National Gross Domestic Product. Its importance cannot be overstated. - The museum is a significant tourism draw. Its most recent steam locomotive excursions drew tens of thousands of visitors to the Commonwealth as the J 611 steam locomotive built here in Virginia coursed its way through cities in the state. - I could go on. However, it suffices to say that Virginia deserves a state supported transportation museum to curate its rich transportation history, teach current transportation technologies, and challenge the future. State agency level transportation museums such as the North Carolina Transportation Museum are able to give students and visitors a transformative experience. We should do no less. The current Virginia Museum of Transportation is the oldest, largest, and most diverse entity of its kind in the Commonwealth. It has been the states official Transportation Museum for over three decades. It has improved its offerings every year. It is time to take the next step that will put the Virginia Museum of Transporation on par with other similar institutions across the country. We will make you proud of a decision to do so.
Becoming a state agency would be instrumental in helping move the Virginia Museum of Transportation forward. It would allow us to reach beyond the 35,000 students that we currently see each year. The additional funds would be beneficial in providing technology upgrades, building improvements related to energy consumption, improvements to our collections and restoration work, enhanced educational programming that we could make available to students across the state., and more. Agency status would allow the museum to serve as central support for the many similar, yet smaller museums across Virginia.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber strongly supports HB 1861. The Virginia Museum of Transportation (VMT) is a tourism draw for thousands of visitors each year and as an official state agency, the Museum would be eligible for increased support and able to expand its offerings. As Virginia's official transportation museum, this move makes sense and would ensure that the VMT has the additional support it needs to continue to attract more visitors. Thank you for your consideration and for your support of the VMT.
Madam Chairman and fellow committee members I am asking for your support of HB1861 introduced by Delegate Chris Head. The Virgnia Museum of Transportation serves between 30,000 and 35,000 students annually through onsite educational programs and field trips. It serves roughly 60,000 additional visitors as well and thousands more when interactive locomotive excursions are ongoing. The Museum has been the Commonwealths Official Museum for over 30 years. it needs official status to give it the agency access and other resources to achieve a superior educational experience. One in ten jobs are in the transportation sector, and changing technology requirements for environmental improvements are changing rapidly. Its an extremely important area for learining. I have been associated with the Museum as a board member and volunteer for over 30 years because its important to our young people and our state. There is no other like it in Virginia. It deserves to be on par with other state transportation museums such as the North Carolina Transportation Museum. It should have virtual programs available to classrooms across Virginia and the country. This will never happen without the modest investment state agency status requires. The museum is truly amazing and is by far the largest and most comprehensive in the state. I apologize for not being present to testify, but given the Bills late assignment we only became aware of its scheduled hearing this morning late last night. It simply was impossible. I hope you will report this Bill out to the full committee so that further debate may occur and any of your questions may be answered. Sincerly, William T. Cox Executive VP Virgnia Museum of Transportation
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
Madam Chairman and Committee members, I am writing in hopes that you will give your full support to HB1861 patron Delegate Chris Head, which establishes the 60 year old Virginia Museum of Transportation as an official agency of the state. The Virginia Museum of Transportation has been Virginias Official Transportation Museum for many decades. During that time hundreds of thousands of students and many more visitors have participated in the museums field trips, educational programs, and enjoyed their many exhibits and steam excursions. Its exhibits are truly world class, representing several centuries of every mode of transportation, and often the only remaining examples of great technological achievements. What is showcased there has inspired untold numbers of young people and sparked the interests of its visitors. Today the transportation sector of our economy is responsible for over ten percent of our nations Gross Domestic Product and employs one in ten Americans. Additionally, current efforts to clean our air and curb climate change are substantially aimed at transportation of all types. It follows that the need to expose young people and the public at large to all facets of transportation history, present, and future is one of highest order. Your Virginia Museum of Transportation fills this need. It can however do it better and should. Technology is at the core of todays learning experience, and the museum is in substantial need of a complete technology overhaul. Everything from dedicated wifi, new audio visual equipment, monitoring cameras, security, and so much more is needed. There is a need to build a virtual museum experience available to all Virginians regardless of where they live. So much is needed. It bears mentioning that the Museum is an excellent venue to draw much more tourism to the state. Its exhibits and steam excursions hold so much promise. State agency status will give the Museum the resources and the access to expertise within its other agencies to make it a world class educational experience like so many other state transportation museums across the country. It can also then serve as support for the many smaller museums and institutions throughout Virginia and the country. It is a treasure, and one with so much potential. A relatively modest investment on the part of the state in a well established broad based institution such as the Virginia Museum of Transportation will pay dividends for years to come. Virginia deserves to have such an institution to be the equal or rival others in other states. Please support this effort. Sincerely, Tom Cox National Director Antique Automobile Club of America
I am writing today as a long standing member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Virginia Museum of Transportation, asking for your support of HB1861. The Museum is located in the historic Norfolk & Western Railway freight station built in 1918, which is on the national register of historic places, located in the City of Roanoke. The Museum is celebrating its 60th anniversary, having been established in 1963, and has been recognized by the General Assembly as Virginia’s official transportation museum for over three decades. The Museum is by far Virginia’s largest transportation museum and the most comprehensive with its collections spanning several centuries and all modes of transportation. The Museum’s educational component is the core of its existence, and it serves 35,000 Virginia primary education students annually by way of field trips and other educational programs. Additionally, the Museum has a long-standing working relationship with nearby Virginia Tech and currently displays a large number of vehicles, particularly those associated with the University’s "Smart Road", electric vehicles, and other transportation technology programs. The Museum also serves over 50,000 other visitors annually from across Virginia, the U.S., and from around the world. There is a clear need to expose students and the general public to both the history and future of transportation, particularly given the need for an evolution of thought as all segments of transportation are changing rapidly with the implementation of environmentally friendly technologies and increased attention given to mass transit. Contrary to generally accepted thought, the Museum embraces not only the past, but also the present and future. The Museum is also a significant tourism attraction. It brings tens of thousands of visitors to Virginia every year to view its collections and many thousands more when locomotive excursions are ongoing. The attendant positive multimillion-dollar economic impact supports restaurants, hotels, shopping, etc., creating significant tourism tax revenue. For over two decades, the Museum has supported itself through admissions, special events, fees, and the support of its Board as well as corporate and private support. However, it still lacks basic technologies to assist in its educational missions, requires significant upgrades in its HVAC systems, collections restoration, substantial building maintenance, restoration, and national marketing. State agency status would bring the Commonwealth’s official transportation museum into the next century, creating better educational opportunities through improved technology, professional curation, and expanded virtual programs available to students across the state. It would allow the stories of Virginia’s transportation-related pioneers, such as Wendell Scott (the first African American Nascar driver), to be told and inspire. Virginia deserves to have a state-sponsored transportation museum to equal or better those in nearby states such as North Carolina and Pennsylvania (which together draw well over a half million visitors annually). As a Virginia state-sponsored entity, the museum would gain the consistency and state-wide resources necessary to fulfill its educational mission and become a center of support for similar, but smaller, museums as well as for primary and secondary educational institutions throughout. The investment is modest, yet consequential.
Attached is a letter in support of HB1861.
HB1870 - Higher educational institutions; immunity from disciplinary action in certain cases.
To the Virginia House of Delegates Higher Education Subcommittee, I am a senior in college and I am writing to express my strongest support for House Bill 1870. I cannot begin to express how important this piece of legislation is for the future of student safety on college campuses. I believe this bill will lead Virginia on a path that prioritizes the physical, mental, and emotional health of all students. Today you have the chance to support survivors and their needs after they report incidents of sexual violence. Students should not have to deal with the fear of disciplinary retaliation from their schools if they choose to come forward about their sexual violence case. ALL students deserve an equal right to immunity from disciplinary action. Lawmakers, you must act now. I am deeply grateful to Delegate Helmer for saying enough is enough, we need to ensure that amnesty measures are written into Virginia law. Thank you for your time and energy on this bill that would improve the lives of so many students. Delegates of the Higher Education Subcommittee, please vote House Bill 1870 out of committee and into action for the students of Virginia. Thank you, Geneva Wolfe
HB1884 - Students with disabilities; assessment frequency.
VCASE supports HB1884. VCASE has long been an advocate for flexibility in the number, format, and administration of Standards of Learning tests for students with disabilities. We ask the subcommittee to pass this legislation that will provide opportunities for students with disabilities to master and be able to demonstrate achievement on these high stakes student assessments. Thanks to Delegate Wampler for bringing this bill forward.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1890 - Virginia Promise to Veterans Act; established, admissions for eligible veteran applicants, report.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1893 - School boards; requires posting of certain information on its website.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1909 - Public elementary and secondary schools; establishment of opportunity classrooms.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1916 - Higher educational institutions, public; threat assessment teams, powers and duties.
HB1916 - this fixes problems when boards don't act HB2272 - this will help African Americans (and possibly other minorities too) that should they need to go on to other educational institutions to finish training/education, they don't have a huge debt already from undergrad and therefore be less financially burdened when they become employed in their field. HB2425 - Good idea.
HB1938 - Public schools; school counselors with training or experience in mental health, staffing ratios.
Our students are under a great deal of stress and because of that are suffering from anxiety. We need more school counselors.
Please support HB 1938 to increase the staff ratios of school counselors with training or experience in providing mental health service. The statistics on suicide rates among young people make it clear that mental health support is needed. And sad to say the increase in gun violence in neighborhoods and even inside schools create psychological trauma that needs immediate attention. Please do not delay action on this matter.
Increase the Number of school counselors in schools
Please support this bill to increase the number of counselors per school district. We did not have enough counselors funded before the pandemic. Now with the resulting issues from the pandemic and school violence and violence in our communities, we must give children the emotional support they need. Children cannot learn when they are anxious and having trouble adjusting to impacts beyond their control. It is crucial that we offer our students the support they need.
We know that students are struggling with mental health issues. We know that the pandemic has brought strange times. Let's help our kids and our communities, by providing more counselors in our school districts.
I support increasing the number of school counselors in each district. Please vote Yes!
The Virginia Education Association has taken a position of support for this bill.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2030 - School boards; policies or regulations for enrollment of nonresident students, report.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2067 - Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Exam Fee Elimination Fund & Program; established.
AP and IB exams are expensive. It’s crazy to think that a student that is on the free lunch plan can pay for those exams. Those exams should be free for them.
Please support HB 2067 that would enable students from low-income families to take AP and IB exams for free. All students should have the opportunity to access jobs that pay well. Students from low-income families can be just as intelligent as those from families with more wealth. Let's encourage the former to direct their intelligence towards higher mathematics rather than street smarts and drug dealing..
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) strongly supports HB2067. Overall, 73% of all United States (U.S.) public schools are identified as Title 1 schools, meaning these schools serve families and students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch based on federal poverty metrics. Similarly, 63% of IB World Schools qualify for Title-I funding. From the passage of HB2067, many students from low-income families in Virginia will be able to access an IB education. They will benefit from the rigor of IB course experience in their post-secondary studies and gain the opportunities that come with earning the IB Diploma or the Career-related Program (CP) certificate. HB2067 ensures that students in Virginia who are eligible for free/reduced meals will have the opportunity to complete and be successful in IB courses. In Virginia, the number of low-income students participating in IB courses is significant. The IB has research demonstrating how successful the Diploma Program (DP) is in meeting the needs of students who may not be able to complete IB coursework due to financial constraints. Currently, there are 90 authorized IB programs in Virginia. Thirty-seven (37) schools offer the DP and 7 offer the CP to high school students. The students that would benefit from HB2067 are candidates in the DP or CP. Additionally, there are 11 Primary Years Programs (PYP) and 19 Middle Years Programs (MYP) in Virginia which provide students an opportunity to start their IB journey as young as 3 years old and thus gain a strong foundation for success in the DP and CP. The IB is aware that significant monies remain under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, and we applaud the use of these critical relief funds in supporting eligible families and students in accessing college and/or careers. We have a shared commitment to supporting students with disadvantages in accessing a rigorous education that can open significant doors to opportunity and ultimately impact students’ life outcomes. We have a variety of research showing the impact of an IB Education. We have attached a research brief, International Baccalaureate programmes in Title I schools in the United States: Accessibility, participation and university enrollment. This brief summarizes participation in IB programs in Title-I Schools and subsequent student enrollment in college/university. Further studies are available by request: recognition@ibo.org. We are pleased to see that Virginia school divisions will be directed to use these monies for this worthwhile purpose. Virginia will join the ranks of 24 other states who use state funds in a similar manner to support students' access to IB exams. The IB fully supports HB2607. We would be very happy to provide further information and participate in future discussions and/or committee meetings.
Please support this bill. Students who are receiving free and reduced lunch and have applied themselves to qualify to take AP and IB courses deserve our support in their efforts to reach beyond their circumstances. For them to receive college credits for the courses that they have taken in high school, they must take these tests and score well on them. They are not inexpensive! These remarkable students have shown themselves worthy! Give them the support they deserve and need!
Let low-income students show their capability. Cover the fees for AP and IB exams.
I am FOR HB2067. Removing fees for AP and IB exams for students eligible for free and reduced lunch, makes common sense. I have first hand experience as a mentor in the Community in Schools program for impoverished students, and can attest to the fact that these fees are beyond the ability to pay for this population. We say that we want to encourage such students to continue their education, without addressing how their families' poverty is a barrier on basic levels, from school supplies and transportation to the cost of participating in programs that most of us take for granted. Should students have the grit to perservere and achieve at a level that includes AP or IB exams, it only makes sense to waives these fees.
I support HB2067 to lower the cost of AP and IB exams for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The current cost of an AP exam is $97, but for low-income students, College Board offers a discount of $35 and waives a $9 administrative fee, bringing the effective price down to $53. However, this can still be a significant financial burden for these students seeking to earn college credit. Many states have already taken steps to cover all or part of this cost, making AP and IB coursework more accessible to all students regardless of their family income. I urge Virginia to do the same by eliminating or reducing AP/IB exam fees for low-income students.
I support removing the fee for AP and IB exams for students eligible for free and reduced lunch. Please vote Yes!
As a student, I understand how important AP and IB courses are for success both during school and after school. The classes and the final tests are essential parts of college applications as well as receiving additional college credits. They give students a head start on their future. Unfortunately, the final exam that awards the college credits requires money inaccessible to many students and therefore prevents them from earning the college credit. While a discounted price is provided by the overseeing organization, it is frequently not enough. HB 2067 would allow more students to take these critical exams by providing that the state covers all but $20 of the exam costs of any student who qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. Wealthy school districts in Virginia already do this, but it would support my friends in poorer districts to get the aid they need for these crucial exams. Please support HB 2067, therefore supporting the future success of all students in Virginia regardless of family income.
I support HB2067 to lower the cost of AP and IB exams for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The current cost of an AP exam is $97, but for low-income students, College Board offers a discount of $35 and waives a $9 administrative fee, bringing the effective price down to $53. However, this can still be a significant financial burden for these students seeking to earn college credit. Many states have already taken steps to cover all or part of this cost, making AP and IB coursework more accessible to all students regardless of their family income. I urge Virginia to do the same by eliminating or reducing AP/IB exam fees for low-income students.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
The International Baccalaureate Organization (IB) strongly supports HB2067. Overall, 73% of all United States (U.S.) public schools are identified as Title 1 schools, meaning these schools serve families and students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch based on federal poverty metrics. Similarly, 63% of IB World Schools qualify for Title-I funding. From the passage of HB2067, many students from low-income families in Virginia will be able to access an IB education. They will benefit from the rigor of IB course experience in their post-secondary studies and gain the opportunities that come with earning the IB Diploma or the Career-related Program (CP) certificate. HB2067 ensures that students in Virginia who are eligible for free/reduced meals will have the opportunity to complete and be successful in IB courses. In Virginia, the number of low-income students participating in IB courses is significant. The IB has research demonstrating how successful the Diploma Program (DP) is in meeting the needs of students who may not be able to complete IB coursework due to financial constraints. Currently, there are 90 authorized IB programs in Virginia. Thirty-seven (37) schools offer the DP and 7 offer the CP to high school students. The students that would benefit from HB2067 are candidates in the DP or CP. Additionally, there are 11 Primary Years Programs (PYP) and 19 Middle Years Programs (MYP) in Virginia which provide students an opportunity to start their IB journey as young as 3 years old and thus gain a strong foundation for success in the DP and CP. The IB is aware that significant monies remain under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, and we applaud the use of these critical relief funds in supporting eligible families and students in accessing college and/or careers. We have a shared commitment to supporting students with disadvantages in accessing a rigorous education that can open significant doors to opportunity and ultimately impact students’ life outcomes. We have a variety of research showing the impact of an IB Education. We have attached a research brief, International Baccalaureate programmes in Title I schools in the United States: Accessibility, participation and university enrollment. This brief summarizes participation in IB programs in Title-I Schools and subsequent student enrollment in college/university. Further studies are available by request: recognition@ibo.org. We are pleased to see that Virginia school divisions will be directed to use these monies for this worthwhile purpose. Virginia will join the ranks of 24 other states who use state funds in a similar manner to support students' access to IB exams. The IB fully supports HB2607. We would be very happy to provide further information and participate in future discussions and/or committee meetings.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2111 - Standards of Quality; work-based learning, teacher leaders and mentors, principal mentors.
As a Henrico parent, I support the VA PTA’s legislative priorities. Please fund the Standards of Quality and At-Risk add on funds for low income schools.
I support HB2111. Please stop failing students then blaming teachers for their failure. Please let the licensed professionals do their jobs. They first need to exist. It's time to think critically about why there is an increasing number of people like me who are FORMER educators and not yet retirement age. Thanks.
As a Henrico parent, I support Virginia PTA's legislative priorities. Please fund the Standards of Quality (SB1325/HB2111).
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2137 - School boards; divisionwide literacy plans.
How soon we forget the nightmare that was distance learning. Or maybe none of you experienced that. These school aged children that lost time in the classroom for reading instruction will be MISSED if this FULL expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act is not passed. There are a key group of children that, yes, are soon to be in middle school (in school year 2024-2025) and struggle with reading due to the havoc caused by Covid. Please support and fund this HB1526 bill in its entirety. All of these house bills go to strengthen our schools with providing parents the knowledge they need to advocate for their children and better equipping teachers to teach within their large and neurodiverse classrooms (1:5 students are dyslexic). thank you for your service to our great Commonwealth.
Please vote NO. Trans youth deserve respect and to be safe
To the Education Committee, Please vote NO on all four bills --- to support the young people who would be affected. To protect their privacy .,respect their dignity and defend their rights. Barbara Morris Falls C hurch, Va.
Hb1387 no Hb1707 no Hb2137 no HB2432 yes
I strongly oppose all of these bills. Transgender rights are human rights. Any regulations imposed by the government is government overreach. These bills do not put the mental health and well being of youth first. Did you know that on average 40% of trans youth die by suicide. These bills threaten to drive that frightening statistic higher. Please don't threaten the lives of transgender youth in our state!
Dear Board Members and Staff, I write to you as a resident of Virginia, a former teacher and a parent. I write to you as a firm believer in personal freedoms for all regardless of a person's age, race, color, ethnicity, political affiliation or economic status. By personal freedoms I mean the right to safely going about one's life without targeted harassment, without being labeled; to be able to feel save with one's identity. These proposed bills serve not to protect individual rights but to limit the rights of a group of children and adolescents who are in the process of discovering who they are and building their character. By limiting their ability to participate in school activities such as sport teams or by forcing them to share their most personal feelings about their identity and gender these bills, the actions that school staff, teachers and administrators will be forced to take will serve only to make them targets of discrimination and ostracism. Life is difficult enough for any teen or preteen trying to figure out where they fit in this world; they are all under such intense pressures to meet standards of academic performance, to have the "right" clothes, to have the latest tech item, to stave off peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol and sex -- to add to all of that the fear of being called out, of being "outed" before the child is really ready to share that part of themselves with their peers or members of their family for fear of being rejected is just untenable; it's cruel and absolutely unnecessary. Then, for those students who have found the courage to share with the world their gender identity, to tell them that they cannot participate in school sports in a way that is in line with that gender identity is, essentially, telling them that they do not matter, that they do not have a place in the community, that they are unwelcome and less than human. To rob those students of the many life lessons and chances to build character and leadership skills and make what can be lifelong friends through sports on teams that match their gender identity is simply cruel and unnecessary. Transgender kids competing on teams that match their gender identity do not present threats to the potential achievements of their peers any more than non transgender teammates and opponents. We want all students to learn to respect themselves and to respect others, even others who look different, act differently and think differently. It is in learning how to interact respectfully with people who are different from us that we learn the important lessons that help us be good citizens of our local communities and the world. It opens so many doors of opportunity to explore different careers, different ways of serving our community and country. These bills will serve to teach kids that they do not have to be respectful of others who have gender identities that differ from their assigned sex at birth. What's next-- people who have different accents? different skin tones? from different neighborhoods? different wealth brackets? I implore you to think beyond the politically motivated sound bites and think of the mental, emotional and physical welfare of all students, trans, binary, nonbinary, -- all of them and vote NO on these bills. Thank you. JCMC
Children should not be pawns in your political agenda! Every child deserves an environment of encouragement, respect and opportunity. Our schools should not foster hatred and fear.
I oppose all four of the above bills that will hurt our trans youth, who are already one of the most at-risk groups in our state for mental health problems and attempting suicide. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia, a small business owner in Herndon, and the parent of two children in Fairfax County Public Schools, one of whom is non-binary. As a therapist, I also regularly work with trans and non-binary students who fear for the safety at school and sometimes at home. Why is our state legislature trying to make the state LESS safe for our most vulnerable youth? As both an expert professional and a mother, I urge you to vote NO to all four of the proposed laws that would hurt our children.
Honorable members of the House of Delegates, Jesus Loves the Little Children and so do I! Please vote no against these ugly, disgusting anti-children bills! Thank you!
As an educator with over 35 years of teaching experience & of working with LGBTQ youth of all ages, I urge you to reject these bills that will only harm trans kids. Trans kids already face innumerable challenges at school & there is no valid reason that sports has to be yet another one. Please let these kids be themselves. Let them play for their respective teams. Allow trans kids to live their lives to the fullest. When we support trans kids, we support all kids .
As a resident of Henrico, parent of two teenagers in public school, and Licensed Professional Counselor, I oppose the following harmful bills: HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), HB 1399 (March), HB 1707 (Durant), and HB 2432 (LaRock). Please join me in protecting trans rights.
These proposed bills are transphobic, prejudicial and just plain harmful to transgender and/or non-binary youth of Virginia. While debate may ensue about transgender athletes leave it up to the individual schools. Regarding forced “outing” of students to parents by teachers and school staff this is an absolutely horrendous and potentially very harmful proposal! Earlier this year I went to a Fairfax County School Board meeting re this very topic. It was so sad and scary and absolutely heart wrenching to see young people who got up to testify against this proposed bill NOT for themselves but rather “for my friend who would be kicked out of their house tonight if their parents knew they were transgender”. Schools are supposed to be a place where students not only go to learn from books but also care, respect, support and tolerance FOR & FROM others! The young people who feel it is safe to share with their parents will, those that do not should be able to have sanctuary. Our immediate neighborhood has already lost one young person to suicide due to this scenario - do we need more on our hands? PLEASE VOTE NO!
As a registered voting Virginia resident, I am writing with grave concerns about HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), an anti-transgender bill that would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics in K-12 schools as well as higher education club sports. I'm also concerned about HB 2432 (LaRock), as this bill would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student could be transgender and/or nonbinary. When the House Education Committee meets on Wednesday, I urge you to reject these bills. We can agree that transgender youth exist and live here in Virginia and attend public schools and colleges in Virginia. Transgender students, like any other student, deserve the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers through sports. Both the Virginia High School League and the NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports, and these policies are working just fine. HB 1387 is unnecessary and would prevent trans athletes from accessing the benefits of sports. Forcibly outing transgender youth also creates a unwelcoming school environment. Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers. Additionally, too many LGBTQ youth still face significant challenges fighting discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by peers, family members, and others in their communities. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Of these, 46% ran away because of family rejection. HB 2432 would place LGBTQ+ youth at risk for housing insecurity. This is not a bill that will help LGBTQ+ youth. Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and the mere introduction of this legislation is making it even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. I strongly believe that every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. Forcibly outing students will increase the strain on the current mental health provider shortage: “93 of Virginia’s 133 localities are federally-designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas; 37% of Virginians (3.2 million) live in them. Two localities have no licensed BH professionals; 35 have no trained BH prescriber (Psychiatrist, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner). It will take a variety of short- and long-term strategies over a number of years to address Virginia’s significant shortage of licensed BH professionals." : Oswalt, 2022 Executive Director Virginia Health Care Foundation. HB 1387 and HB 2432 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them. Thank you for your time.
I urge you to passing both HB 1526 and HB 2137. Both of these bills promote literacy programs and support desperately ended for Virginia students, especially those who struggle with reading.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
My name is Shannon Duncan and I am a founding member of Decoding Dyslexia Virginia. We can't thank you enough for coming together to pass and fully fund the Virginia Literacy Act last year. I am writing to ask for your support of: HB1526 - Delegate Carrie Coyner's Virginia Literacy Act Expansion bill will expand evidence-based literacy instruction, teacher professional development, and increase reading specialists for our 4th through 8th graders. (Mirroring bill in the Senate SB1175) HB1629 - Delegate Carrie Coyner's Parent Data Portal bill will provide parents with timely access to their children’s state-sponsored assessment data so that they can participate in data-informed decisions about their children’s education. HB2137 - Delegate Karrie Delaney's bill will empower parents with the knowledge of what core/intervention curriculum is being used by each school, in addition to the job description and contact information for reading specialists/dyslexia advisors. This data must be shared publicly on the VDOE website. We are in the midst of a literacy crisis in Virginia and we need to invest in our children's literacy by ensuring they receive a curriculum rooted in science-based reading research and evidence-based literacy instruction. We must pass HB1526/SB1175 into law and fully fund this enormous undertaking so that the children hardest hit by the pandemic (those K-2 students during the pandemic) aren't forgotten because they will be out of reach of the Virginia Literacy Act when it takes effect 2024-2025 school year. ALL children, K-8, deserve teachers who can hit the ground running and impart foundational literacy skills during their academic careers without the current wait-to-fail model that was in place for my own daughter who couldn't learn to read. Parents are their children's first and best advocate and it's important that data relating to their literacy is easily and equitably accessible no matter what district their children attend in Virginia. Reading is a right!
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2140 - Epinephrine; policies for possession & administration at early childhood care, etc.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
Thank you for proposing improvments to this bill regarding stock epinephrine & related training for child care centers. Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis. As a lifelong food allergic individual, epinephrine has saved my life many times. Two of my children also have been saved by epinephrine due to their food allergies. Both had their first reactions as one year olds.
HB2143 - Teach for Virginia Loan Repayment Assistance Fund and Program; established.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2177 - Critical National Security Language Grant Fund and Program; established.
Please support this bill. HB 2177 is a great initiative. I have over 35 years in the national security space, including serving as a U.S. Army Russian Foreign Area Officer and most recently retired as a senior executive in the Intelligence Community as the Senior Language Authority responsible for training our military and civilian workforce in language, regional expertise and culture capabilities and competencies. We needed these particular languages and others –then and now-- to retain our competitive advantage in the national security realm. I submit that national security is more than simply defense and intelligence. The national security ecosystem and landscape includes economic competitiveness, diplomacy, trade and international commerce, international treaties, and the organic (American perspective) capacity to meet the other in their space on our terms. It is far easier to become proficient and retain proficiency in one’s early –teen years—than in one’s late 30’s or early 40’s –like I did when I learned Russian in my late 30’s. This is easy legislation to support. We either support learning and using world languages, and in this case national security languages in our public education system, our communities and in the service of our nation, or we don’t. The Commonwealth already teaches four of these ‘critical’ languages and could use a boost to teach and study the other identified languages. The languages already taught are Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Russian and Korean. This is a win for Virginia’s public schools’ system and great educational opportunities for our students and emerging workforce. Thomas J. Haines
The Foreign Language Association of Virginia strongly supports HB 2177, which establishes a 'seed money' fund to expand the teaching of certain 'critical' languages in K-12 schools where there is a need. Instruction in these languages can provide our students with: (1) increased job opportunities--and not just in government; (2) increased opportunities for heritage learners to improve their proficiency/literacy and become truly bilingual; (3) increased opportunities for all students to explore languages and cultures beyond those of Western Europe; (4) opportunities for scholarships to study abroad where these languages are spoken. At the University of Richmond, I established and taught in a program that enabled students to learn less-commonly-taught languages that were not taught on campus--and, in fact, are rarely taught in K-12 schools. Students welcomed the opportunity to improve--often to learn to read and write--languages they spoke at home. They also were eager to explore languages and cultures related to their studies and interests outside Western culture. Providing opportunities for K-12 students to study languages in primary and secondary school would greatly benefit many Virginia students. Virginia is a multicultural, multilingual society. Expanding opportunities for learners addresses a real need. Please support HB 2177.
HB 2341-We live in a world where speakers of other languages are on our doorstep, in our classrooms, our medical facilities, and communities at large. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. Learning a second language challenges students to think critically, to open their minds and hearts to other languages and cultures and the people they encompass. As such, I encourage you to vote NO on HB 2341. Language skills are important in every field and subject area as evidenced by the Critical National Security Language Bill 2177. It is a matter of National Security. Please vote YES to fund programs that will address this area of need.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
I would like to support HB 2177, which would establish grant funding to expand the teaching of languages identified by the US government as essential. Critical language and cultural understanding are necessary for national security. Indeed, not just for national security but for any sector of society—economy, health, trade, etc. I have been working for FEMA, a disaster relief project for many years as a translator. We must build the skills in our children to have the opportunity to pursue an ample range of languages at an early age.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
Please support this bill. HB 2177 is a great initiative. I have over 35 years in the national security space, including serving as a U.S. Army Russian Foreign Area Officer and most recently retired as a senior executive in the Intelligence Community as the Senior Language Authority responsible for training our military and civilian workforce in language, regional expertise and culture capabilities and competencies. We needed these particular languages and others –then and now-- to retain our competitive advantage in the national security realm. I submit that national security is more than simply defense and intelligence. The national security ecosystem and landscape includes economic competitiveness, diplomacy, trade and international commerce, international treaties, and the organic (American perspective) capacity to meet the other in their space on our terms. It is far easier to become proficient and retain proficiency in one’s early –teen years—than in one’s late 30’s or early 40’s –like I did when I learned Russian in my late 30’s. This is an easy bill to support, however when supporting this bill, you must also oppose HB 2341. We either support learning and using world languages, and in this case national security languages in our public education system, our communities and in the service of our nation, or we don’t. HB 2341 does not further the learning of world languages to our national, state, and local best interests. The Commonwealth already teaches four of these ‘critical’ languages and could use a boost to teach and study the others. The languages already taught are Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, Russian and Korean. This is a win for Virginia’s public schools’ system and great educational opportunities for our students.
1454 - are you serious? Anyone who remotely values having an educated society will oppose 1454. Good Lord. 2170 is also utterly ridiculous. I OPPOSE 2170, of course. This undermines students' ability to explore their extracurricular interests in the school setting. 1707 and 2432 - I OPPOSE these. These bills would threaten the safety of trans students. 1803 - I OPPOSE this. People need to trust educators to do their jobs, and not impose their beliefs on public schools. I SUPPORT 1497 and 1566. It is disgraceful how educators are treated in this country, and these bills would begin to rectify that. Thank you, Delegates Convirs-Fowler and Rasoul. I support 2388 and 2439. I SUPPORT 2177 as a foreign language teacher. I just wish more bills promoting foreign language education could be on the agenda.
The Foreign Language Association of Virginia enthusiastically endorses HB 2177 which establishes the Critical National Security Language Grant Fund and Program within the Department of Education for the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to any school division that provides one or more foreign language courses in a foreign language that is currently identified as critical by the National Security Language Initiative for Youth scholarship program. The bill provides that such grants are limited to an annual amount sufficient to provide one or more full-time equivalent teaching positions to provide one or more critical foreign language courses. In an ever increasing global society, it is imperative that critical languages be taught in our schools. Language skills and cultural understandings are essential to our national security, as well as any sector of society—economy, health, trade, etc. FLAVA urges you to support languages in Virginia and help Virginia became a leader in multilingualism.
I would like to voice my strong support for HB 2177, which would establish grant funding to expand the teaching of languages identified by the US government as critical. I was fortunate to have learned my first foreign language at an early age (grade school), which positioned me well for my subsequent 35-year career in the Intelligence Community, where I repeatedly used my language skills to advance our national security mission and went on to manage several language programs. I know from many years personal experience how critical language and the cultural understanding are to national security and how precious few these skills can be. Indeed, not just for national security but for any sector of society—economy, health, trade, etc. It is imperative that we build the pipeline of capability and for our children to have the opportunity to pursue any of a wide range of languages at an early age.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
I strongly oppose HB 2341! This is a disservice to the students in the Commonwealth. World Language skills are needed more than ever! Virginia employers need multilingual employees. Intercultural competence and language proficiency are 21st century career skills. If we allow students to graduate Highschool without language skills, investors will continue to look at Georgia and North Carolina, where they find schools that meet their employees needs. Rather than reducing World Languages to zero, we should invest and expand language offerings. I support HB 2177. Thank you,
Two items: HB 2177 and HB 2341. Completely endorse and support HB 2177. Having been in the national security space for over 30 years, this is a great initiative. Not only will it help at the national level, it will have positive impact at the local and state level. Students learning a world language prepares them for succeeding on the global and local stage. Oddly, this proposed legislation runs counter to HB 2341 which intends to dilute and ultimately eliminate the learning of world languages. HB 2341 is misguided legislation and should be opposed.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2187 - School counselors; required percentage of staff time during school hours, etc.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
These are incredible dangerous, irresponsible bills that will unnecessarily endanger children. You are opening Virginia schools up to lawsuits and will waste taxpayer money. Shame on you for using your power to harass children.
Full support
The Virginia Education Association has taken a position of support for this bill.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2236 - Secured Schools Program and Fund; established.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
HB2269 - Federal pandemic relief; funds for public education, certain conditions.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB1507: I support the constitutional rights of parents to direct childrens' education. HB1575: I support Delegate Walkers SWAT bill. HB2269: I support using these pandemic relief funds for schools.
HB2272 - Norfolk State University & Va. State University; reduced rate tuition charges for certain students.
HB 1387-NO HB1399 NO HB 1800 - NO HB 2272- yes
HB1916 - this fixes problems when boards don't act HB2272 - this will help African Americans (and possibly other minorities too) that should they need to go on to other educational institutions to finish training/education, they don't have a huge debt already from undergrad and therefore be less financially burdened when they become employed in their field. HB2425 - Good idea.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2341 - High school graduation; alternative pathways to advanced studies diploma & associated diploma seals.
As a military family child, I grew up recognizing the importance of learning languages and understanding various cultures for America's peace and sovereignty. From my humble origins in La Mesa, California, where there was as much Spanish as English and where my godmother spoke Italian and my godfather French, to a tour in Hawai'i, where I saw an America that speaks not only indigenous Hawai'ian, but also Japanese, Chinese and Tagalog among many other languages. Here in Virginia with not only the important naval bases but the NATO mission and the highly globalized northern Virginia area, how can any representative of the people, any legislative body, not FURTHER actively and with great commitment to ensure our global competences rather than hamstringing Virginians and make us tongue tied when we most need highly tuned linguistic and intercultural skills. Please do NOT further this bill that seeks to take important 21st century global skills away from our children, our future.
HB 2341-We live in a world where speakers of other languages are on our doorstep, in our classrooms, our medical facilities, and communities at large. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. Learning a second language challenges students to think critically, to open their minds and hearts to other languages and cultures and the people they encompass. As such, I encourage you to vote NO on HB 2341. Language skills are important in every field and subject area as evidenced by the Critical National Security Language Bill 2177. It is a matter of National Security. Please vote YES to fund programs that will address this area of need.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
It is a mistake to take out of the advanced diploma a skill that is critical to Virginia students entering the workforce in the coming decades. Their competition is not Ohio or California, it is Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Jobs that are 50-100% remote will need employees who can work in a multilingual and multicultural environment. Google Translate (1) is not enough to spontaneously greet and interact with those with whom Virginians are building relationships (2) does not read between the lines when there is nonverbal communication, and that's often more than 50% (3) does not get employees ready to respond to customer or client emails Or allow them to interact spontaneously in Zoom meetings in another language. Students working on an advanced diploma routinely work toward a Seal of Biliteracy that enables them to take third-year college courses in French or Spanish, including at VCU where I teach. Colleges cannot assure the United States will have a supply of the necessary employees with language skills unless they start in high school when they are working on an advanced diploma.
I urge each of you to vote against HB2341 proposed by Del. Glen Davis. The world is not behind glass doors, only to be encountered by a few who choose to enter. The world is at our fingertips on a daily basis and there is no choice but to participate. This bill is asking you to remove world language requirements from those needed for graduation with an Advanced Diploma. By it's very name an advanced diploma indicates that the student has preformed well in advanced studies and world languages is one of those areas. CTE students are targeted for this exemption from education required by the state. Why? Are they not smart enough? Are they not engaged enough in their education? Do they not need a second language because they are just going to be a construction worker, hospitality workers, or some other career covered under CTE? CTE careers are not exempt from interacting from the world, it is no longer a choice. There is a huge influx of immigrants to our country each year and many of them are working in CTE areas. The need to communicate with others is a MUST have skill. The need to be able to understand others is a MUST have skill. Aside from communication needs, learning a world language develops soft skills that all employers are looking for and simply make your daily life more rewarding and easier. According to ACTFL (the national board for language teaching) some of these skills are: Enhanced Problem Solving Skills Improved Verbal and Spatial Abilities Improved Memory Function Enhanced Creative Thinking Capacity Better Memory More Flexible and Creative Thinking Improved Attitude Toward Other Languages and Cultures All of these skills are needed and wanted in employees. In addition to soft skills there are also cognitive skills such as: Higher standardized test scores Higher reading achievement Expanded student vocabulary in native language (English) Higher academic performance at the college level and beyond These are tangible, real benefits from learning a world language, why would we want to remove these opportunities from students? We all know that in the world today students do what they "have" to do to "get out of school." Let's not let them lose these benefits by dumbing down the expectations we have for them to be educated members of our society. They have room and time to take both CTE and language classes.
AGAINST HB 2341 CTE classes are NOT equivalent to knowing a another language. Our country must stop believing the world revolves around us and our language and our culture. What even is our culture? We have citizens who represent every part of this world. We are fortunate enough to have a common language from the east coast to the west coast, but we should never assume that English (and the Euro-centric world it represents) is the sole tongue in which we should communicate. NOT knowing a second or third language makes us weaker. NOT knowing a second language makes more susceptible to prejudice. NOT knowing a second language causes us to fear change and people who are not exactly like us. Please do NOT pass HB2341. We must encourage students to be global citizens. In fact, our entire system of language teaching should be revamped, with money poured into lower levels to teach language earlier. Tech will be handled by those with an interest. Let's not allow any student to opt out of language learning.
Please oppose HB2341! HB 2341 creates an advanced studies diploma WITHOUT a world language requirement for CTE students. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. As an educator I have seen the value languages bring my students' lives. Time and time again my students return after they graduate to express their gratitude and to share the benefits of learning a language. We would do a disservice to Virginia students by removing this requirement. Additionally, I would like to note that language classrooms support exposure to culture and to people different from their own communities. This creates an appreciation for culture as well as builds a respect for those who are different. Virginia careers are rooted in the diversity of our state. From military to the technology sector, languages enrich the lives of Virginians everywhere. Please vote no on HB2341!
I oppose HB2341. Economic studies have demonstrated that knowledge of a dominant language is crucial to economic success and boosts economic performance. However, preserving linguistic diversity also has great benefits since language is also a voice of people's culture. In a world where we are fighting to create equality, inclusivity and to value other people’s opinions, religions and cultures; Why would we then take a step back?. Because if HB2341 is passed, that is exactly what we would be doing. I have worked as a translator for FEMA for many years, supporting individuals who have been affected by hurricanes and other devastating natural disasters, and let me tell you, the need for translators is enormous. FEMA struggles to find the right candidates to perform these essential tasks. Please, do not allow the U.S. to become less competitive in the global economy because of declining quality foreign language education at the school level.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
Hello, My name is Laurence Bertholet, and I am a French teacher in Loudoun County Public School. I am contacting you because I am concerned about the agenda of HB 2341 and would like to oppose it. We are living in a global society with people speaking a multitude of languages. By allowing HB2341 to pass, we are putting our children, the future of our nation, at a disadvantage against the children of other nations. Employers in CTE fields prefer to hire candidates with world language skills because they have gained new perspective on life and they better understand the cultural codes of their multicultural clients. Because the way of education is, these employers have a hard time finding qualified candidates and have to extend their search to other countries. By allowing HB2341 to pass, we are creating a generation of people who will be less marketable than the previous generation and who will be at a disadvantage compare to people coming from another country. Another advantage of learning a world language is too deepen the knowledge of our native language, understanding better its syntax and ultimately writing more powerful pieces. By allowing HB2341 to pass, you will create a generation of individuals with weaker communication and English skills. Finally, this would be utopic to believe that everyone in the world speak English as Marty Abbot said. For example, my parents who live in Belgium, do not speak English, and they are not the only ones in this situation. By allowing HB2341 to pass, you will create a well of missed opportunities. Please do not pass HB2341. Thank you very much for your time and attention. Laurence Bertholet
Global Virginia is opposed to House Bill 2341. VA HB 2341 is misguided legislation and bad policy for the future of our students and workforce development. We can do better in educating our students for employability and success than by eliminating world language learning for a particular ‘pathway’ to attain an advanced studies diploma. This is a repeated and an insidious effort to dilute and divest the learning and study of world languages. Eliminating world language study to further the attainment of an advanced studies diploma does nothing to advance Virginia’s prestige as a preeminent leader in public education. The Virginia Department of Education indicates that of Class Year 21-22, 52,305 students out of 93,405 graduates were awarded an Advanced Studies Diploma or an International Baccalaureate diploma. That suggests at least 52K students took world languages for purpose in high school. In other words, about 56% of VA high school graduates from Class 21-22 were awarded the ASD or IB diploma. Passing HB 2341 will likely dilute the number of students learning world languages in the Commonwealth. We need more students learning world languages, not less. It is highly likely CTE graduates will find themselves in a very diverse, if not the most diverse work environment than almost any other career field. Studies and research indicate that employers across the spectrum of CTE career clusters, want employees with language and intercultural skills –soft skills. The construction sector, healthcare and social assistance, social services sector report the highest foreign language skills gap. Thirty-nine percent of employers in the construction sector and nearly 30% in the professional and technical services sector are most likely to be unable to pursue or have lost business in the past three years due to a lack of world language skills in their employee. This is the CTE space; these are the CTE career clusters! World language study involves perspective taking and sense making; it develops interpersonal skills, intercultural awareness, and empathy. It provides an expanded local and global world view to better understand the other –all others! Increased critical thinking and cognitive clarity are unquestionable outcomes from world language study. Our student’s world is an increasingly diverse and complex place, and students need the cognitive and critical thinking skills that learning world languages and these other disciplines gives them: a well-rounded, career ready education.
I strongly OPPOSE HB 2341. How can you promote an advanced studies certificate without a world language component?? Everyone knows these kids will have a lifelong disadvantage in the workforce without foreign language skills. The skills are proven to improve written correspondence even in English! Please don't let this proceed without adding a 2 years minimum of a world language!
Dear Delegate Davis: Please allow me to strongly object to the proposed removal of required coursework in world languages for an advanced high school diploma. Few things can distinguish young leaders of our Commonwealth more than the ability to communicate in two or more languages. With our proximity to both the diplomatic epicenter of Washington, D.C. and the Port of Virginia from which our goods travel to the rest of the world, we need more multilingual and multicultural technicians, ambassadors, teachers, health care experts, and citizens of every profession. Bilingualism expands the opportunity of workers in every single occupational field, and HB 2341 would do our youth a great disservice. Please put your efforts into expanding language education, not removing it from our public school curriculum. Thank you very much for your time and attention. Laura Middlebrooks
I oppose these bills which are designed to cause harm to children.
Dear House Committee Members, Multilingualism is important to our nation and in the great Commonwealth of Virginia. As a faculty member at Old Dominion University for he past 27 years teaching French, I am proud of our world language students and what they accomplish linguistically and culturally. They are true global citizens! I believe that all students should learn or maintain at least one world language in addition to English. Therefore, language learning should be a central part of any curriculum. Please vote to defeat legislation that goes against world language education for any student in our state. Thank you, Betty Rose Facer
I am respectfully submitting my request in favor of offering Foreign Languages at any level of education. If there is a vital aspect of a well rounded person, that definitely is knowledge, mastery of another language beside English. We can not expect to build global citizen in this century without foreign languages. Foreign languages should be offered to children as early as kindergarten and required throughout the high-school, not as electives, but MANDATORY. Knowing another language will make our children more marketable in today's competitive society, improve their communication skills and open their horizons to other cultures. Every respected country is focusing much on teaching English as mu h as possible in order for the citizens to be fluent in English. We too should make strides to require our children to become fluent in at lest one foreign language!
I am writing as both a parent and community member who is strongly oppose to the passage of bill HB 2341. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. Additionally, the ability to communicate in a second language is imperative to the ever-diversifying nation within which we live. Not only is it a skill our students need as they enter the work force but by taking language classes, our students minds are opened to understanding other cultures, empathy, and appreciation for the differences among us - all skills that our youth MUST acquire. It is imperative that students continue enrolling in our language courses and therefore, it is detrimental to our state's eduacation program to pass the bill HB 2341.
The Foreign Language Association understands the need to differentiate educational paths for Virginia students based on their talents, interests, and goals. Creating various curricular paths for students who aspire to the advanced studies high school diploma can serve this goal. However, we oppose HB 2341, as it clearly targets world language courses. HB 2341 unnecessarily establishes a curricular opposition between world language courses and career and technical education. It unfairly targets courses that teach skills--communication and cross-cultural awareness--of use to all Virginians, no matter their career orientation. All Virginians live in a multilingual and multicultural society within a global economy. In its Blueprint Virginia 2030, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce recognized this when it supported world language instruction as an essential part of workforce education. Virginia graduates are expected to “build connections and value for interaction with diverse communities,” one goal of world languages courses. Moreover, all world languages courses teach students interpersonal and communication skills, essential in any workplace. Because world languages teach such necessary skills, the Foreign Language Association of Virginia opposes any advanced studies high school diploma that does not contain world language components.
This bill is absurd. Foreign languages should be a requirement for high school students.
It is imperative that students be allowed to continue to have a world languages requirement because of its importance to their future chances for employment. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. I have had many students over my 28 years of foreign language teaching that have lauded their decision to take a language in school because it helped them to get a better paying job and also gained higher pay for them in their current jobs because of their knowledge of a world language. Please do not take away this benefit from students- by dropping the world language requirement. You would be doing them and the future of the country a great disservice.
I am opposed to HB 2342 and pleased to see that CTE teachers and world language teachers are on the same page with this. We cannot compete in the world marketplace and be successful if we continue to believe and act as if the only language one needs to know is English. Studies reveal that language learning produces higher SAT skills, the more years of a language, the higher the score. Language learning produces better focus and memory in students. Language learning teaches skills needed for communication, reading, writing, speaking, listening. We would be doing our students a disservice if we were to pass this bill. Instead a bill should be proposed to to make the pathway for an advanced diploma require 4 years of a language.
I oppose HB 2341 which would grant an advanced high school diploma to CTE students without a foreign language component. The study of foreign language is very important to a well-rounded education, to open students' eyes to different cultures and to allow them to communicate more effectively. Also, only when one can see one's own language from the outside, as it were, can one truly see, know and understand the intricacies of one's own language. Removing the foreign language requirement would put Virginia's students at a disadvantage when competing for jobs and seeking other post secondary options.
Please oppose HB2341. Personally, I value the work from career and technical education programs, but whole-heartedly oppose its substitution for world language credits. CTE educators and world language educators are in complete agreement that these disciplines are valuable and should never be substituted one for the other. In fact, some schools have already begun the work to blend world languages and CTE with a collaboration between the two fields thus propelling students’ marketability and career preparedness. Even a basic level of proficiency in another language along with a trade skill increases a student’s competitiveness in the job market. It should never be the goal to divide and replace one diploma track for another, but rather to collaborate in order to educate tomorrow’s workforce in languages other than English as well as CTE job skills.
Please oppose HB2341. Removing the foreign language requirement from the Advanced Diploma jeopardizes the health of of the World Language departments in our public schools. Our students deserve to have access to an education that will make them individually, and the nation as a whole, competitive competitive in a global market. Undermining the health of our World Language departments threatens the access that our students currently enjoy to this education. So please vote to oppose HB2341. Thank you, Aliza Rios
HB2341 should not be passed, as it provides a disservice to Virginia graduates. Young people need proficiency in a world language in order to support businesses as they compete in a global marketplace. Additionally, businesses consider applicants with proficiency in more than one language more qualified than applicants who do not. We should not shortchange Virginia graduates. Oppose HB2341.
It is important that CTE students have a world language requirement as part of their advanced studies diploma in high school. Students who are planning to have CTE related jobs will encounter people of various backgrounds and cultures, as with any job. Taking a foreign language develops the specific skill of understanding and being open to the perspective of a different culture, setting one up for success in working with people of many backgrounds in a multicultural society. For this reason, I oppose this bill.
Did you know that 7,151 languages are spoken in the world, as of 2022? And that 23 languages account for more than half the world's population? Wake up! We are not alone! Also, did you know that Mandarin Chinese has the most native speakers in the world, followed by Spanish second, English third and Hindi not far behind? It is hard to understand and believe this crusade Mr. Davis has against World Languages, but I need to speak up for my children and students of generations to come. I am proud of being a resident of Virginia, but the efforts being made to limit their language opportunities are concerning and completely against the Virginia Profile of a Graduate of which focuses on communication. Communication to who? To our ever shrinking world! The amazing technology we hold in our hands has proven to us how small the world is. We can communicate and connect with people just like us from all over the world. By knowing languages, those connections lead to collaboration, critical thinking, creative thinking, and GLOBAL citizenship. I am writing as a parent of a student in career and technical education who has completed the World Languages requirements and she cannot imagine following her CTE path without having completed the language requirements. In fact, she and her classmates wish that world language options were available during elementary school. Many opportunities available in CTE require working day to day with the public who speak various languages. Communication is key in any career path and communication in different languages is even better. The Profile of a Virginia Graduate describes the knowledge, skills, experiences and attributes that students must attain to be successful in college and/or the work force and to be “life ready.” How can we in Virginia say "life ready" if we are awarding degrees without requiring language and culture study? Today's students live in a much smaller world than the one we adults grew up in. There are developments throughout the world advancing in different languages. While computers may be able to attempt to translate, nothing can take away the relationships between humans, and language is what brings us together. We cannot assume that all cultures outside of the United States will be willing to work with those who do not understand their culture or speak their language. Learning a language builds an awareness that cannot be learned by reading a book or a list of protocols. It is essential that our students are required to complete the World Language requirements. World Languages are for all students, not just those in academic tracks or not. It is for all students no matter what path they follow. It is an honor and privilege to be a Virginia student and global citizen. Please do not take this opportunity away from students.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
Dear Delegates, No doubt, you all want to do the best of the citizens of Virginia and especially for the students. Limiting the courses necessary for the awarding of the diplomas you are considering to STEM+C restricts the breadth of information available to students' in VA schools. Communication skills (listening, speaking, writing, persuading, acknowledging feelings, recognizing accomplishments, motivating, instructing) are all key skills in EVERY job whether in the STEM+C industries or beyond. Businesses, government, and non-profits will always need people to communicate with their clients and their employees. Removing world language, one of the key classes that have to do with communication and even communicating with peoples different from our own, clearly misunderstands what the current workforce needs to be effective in their jobs. We entreat you to NOT GO FORWARD with a diploma that does not require course work or training in world languages.
I strongly oppose HB2341. The need for language skills increasingly permeates every sector of our economy and society. World language study should be a standard for our children to better equip them for any future they aspire to.
I am a Spanish teacher at a Virginia public high school. My students learn how to hold basic conversations in Spanish. But they learn so much more than just words that Google can translate. My students learn about the perspectives that shape language, culture, and trade. They learn how their own history connects to or mirrors that of our global neighbors. Students interact with texts, media, and people who are different from what they have experienced growing up. World language classrooms develop our future diplomats, global entrepreneurs, and artistic collaborations. The ideas students craft and share in my Spanish classroom extend to all of their areas of study.
I am a long time language educator. It is appalling to me that Senator Davis continues his attack on World's language education in Virginia. Research and report after report have indicated that those in the tech fields desire people with soft skills of communication and language experience. World Language credits are not replaceable with a CTE course. There is room in high school schedules and in the advanced studies diploma for both CTE courses and World Language credits giving those who attain the advanced study diploma skills that are valuable in the 21st century and beyond. I urge you to not support this bill.
Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the global job market. World languages are more than words and grammar, they develop the soft skills in communication and collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds. Languages cross content to every subject, history, English, math, sciences, music, the arts, CTE, literature, health and physical education, and many more. The same cannot be said for CTE classes. I took computer coding classes and there is no comparison, they cannot be interchanged. While coding may enlist similar skills to learning as foreign language like vocabulary and syntax, they are largely considered to be separate skills. In 2020, a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that reading lines of computer code activate different regions of the brain compared to reading written language. Not only that, but the two perform fairly different functions — world language courses allow students to engage with foreign cultures that they may not otherwise be exposed to. World languages are complex. Commonly taught ones, like Spanish, consist of nearly 10,000 words as compared to 100 words for most coding languages. Critics claim they aren’t natural languages or on the same level of learning difficulty as foreign languages. Bilingualism also correlates with increased cognitive development, intelligence, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to swap out humanities courses, like world language classes, with STEM-driven classes results in the further reduction of the arts in schools, which leads to a drop in creativity. A skill that is needed in every industry. Learning a world language introduces new cultures, ideas, perspectives, and experiences outside most students’ which many argue lead to an increase in empathy, communication, and relationship-building. World languages are spoken and allow for global communication, connection, and interaction, which is crucial to succeeding in our increasingly globalized world. The National Research Council called Americans’ “pervasive lack of knowledge about foreign cultures and foreign languages threatens the security of the United States as well as its ability to compete in the global marketplace and produce an informed citizenry.”
Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the global job market. World languages are more than words and grammar, they develop the soft skills in communication and collaboration with people of diverse backgrounds. Languages cross content to every subject, history, English, math, sciences, music, the arts, CTE, literature, health and physical education, and many more. The same cannot be said for CTE classes. I took computer coding classes and there is no comparison, they cannot be interchanged. While coding may enlist similar skills to learning as foreign language like vocabulary and syntax, they are largely considered to be separate skills. In 2020, a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that reading lines of computer code activate different regions of the brain compared to reading written language. Not only that, but the two perform fairly different functions — world language courses allow students to engage with foreign cultures that they may not otherwise be exposed to. World languages are complex. Commonly taught ones, like Spanish, consist of nearly 10,000 words as compared to 100 words for most coding languages. Critics claim they aren’t natural languages or on the same level of learning difficulty as foreign languages. Bilingualism also correlates with increased cognitive development, intelligence, memory, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to swap out humanities courses, like world language classes, with STEM-driven classes results in the further reduction of the arts in schools, which leads to a drop in creativity. A skill that is needed in every industry. Learning a world language introduces new cultures, ideas, perspectives, and experiences outside most students’ which many argue lead to an increase in empathy, communication, and relationship-building. World languages are spoken and allow for global communication, connection, and interaction, which is crucial to succeeding in our increasingly globalized world. The National Research Council called Americans’ “pervasive lack of knowledge about foreign cultures and foreign languages threatens the security of the United States as well as its ability to compete in the global marketplace and produce an informed citizenry.”
I strongly oppose HB 2341! This is a disservice to the students in the Commonwealth. World Language skills are needed more than ever! Virginia employers need multilingual employees. Intercultural competence and language proficiency are 21st century career skills. If we allow students to graduate Highschool without language skills, investors will continue to look at Georgia and North Carolina, where they find schools that meet their employees needs. Rather than reducing World Languages to zero, we should invest and expand language offerings. I support HB 2177. Thank you,
Thanks for inviting me to comment on this bill. My name is Jaime Calbetó, and I am a Spanish instructor at Rodney Thompson middle school in Stafford County. Each day, the world requires that businesses and governments become more integrated and collaborative in their day-to-day operations, strategically aiming to combine their knowledge assets and competitive advantages to bring a brighter future for humanity and our planet. One of the most valuable gifts that we can give our current generation and future generations of students to stay on course in this most-needed mission to learn the ways to work better with other global stakeholders and achieve as well as maintain global greatness is for students to gain a deeper understanding about one's global neighbors and their cultures, and there is no better way to achieve this than by learning another language at secondary school or even better yet at primary school. When one learns a second language, one learns to think in a different language, in a different way, and ultimately begins to empathize better with others' differences. Communicating in another language makes collaboration with respective global partners stronger and more successful. I hope the state of Virginia recognizes the value for our students to learn a second language and supports an advanced studies programs WITH a world language requirement for CTE students. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts.
I oppose this bill because it supports neither global citizenship nor interculturality, both of which are important for Virginia graduates.
Dear House Committee Members, I write to let you know of the grave concerns I have about a possible reversal of the World Language requirements for an advanced studies diploma. In an ever shrinking world, and one in which conflicts will continue, it is imperative that we continue to place value on the need for more extensive communication skills in languages other than English. Whereas career and technical education skills certainly are valuable, the pathway to an "advanced studies diploma" should continue to include the rigor of the study of a world language in depth. Humans are increasingly relying upon technology, as are our schools, and I think the results only serve to prove that actual human to human communication across the country and the globe must be a priority, and the study of a world language and its culture and history increase these skills. The world is increasingly interdependent and more in need now of students who have the chops to learn challenging and not widely- spoken world languages, and the skills that support them MUST begin in high school, or it will very likely be too late. As a thirty-six year veteran of foreign language teaching, a Fulbright teacher exchange participant, and a student of history, and someone who follows world events closely, our curricula need to focus more, not less, on strong liberal arts foundations that include encouraging as many students as possible to challenge themselves to learn and grow through the study of a world language other than their own, and about the culture and the history of the people who speak it. Just look at the world today; life on this planet is becoming increasingly complex and there will continue to be a need for people across the globe to communicate and cooperate in order to solve the looming problems that face us as humans. It would be a grave error not in continue to support the requirement that students wishing to pursue an advanced studies diploma continue to be required to study a world language. In fact, given the value of learning another language, and the incredible benefit to a student's intellectual development from it, the state should be looking to expand, not contract, the need for world language study if we wish to continue to label these requirements as "advanced'". I appreciate your time in reading this, and hope you will vote AGAINST HB2341. The world needs good communicators; do not let this mistake happen. Most respectfully, Kerstin E. Vogelbach 540-327-6560 Purcellville, Virginia
"HB 2341 creates an advanced studies diploma WITHOUT a world language requirement for CTE students. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market." I believe learning a foreign language in our public schools has real life advantages to our students and future work force. In this global society, English is no longer the only language spoken. Here in the U.S., Spanish is now considered our unofficial second language. Many workers in the CTE sectors only speak Spanish and their English is not very good. It is extremely beneficial to have people within these sectors that do speak and write Spanish (as well as English) to be able to positively interact and work with them for the common goal. As a Spanish teacher, I use Spanish every day, not only at school with my students, but also with our valued custodial team, which is an Hispanic crew. At home, I use Spanish to better interact with contractors that do work at my home. I always get a warm reaction when I speak to them in Spanish, and I feel like they do a better job because because of that, because I take the time to get to know them a little. And lastly, my elderly parents, who live in assisted living, are cared for by several Hispanic caregivers. Being able to speak with them about my parents' care has made the difference between good care and great care. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't use Spanish, at school, out shopping, in the community, in health care, and at my home. I believe every student should study a foreign language in order to function better in our global society. The job market possibilities open up considerably.
Two items: HB 2177 and HB 2341. Completely endorse and support HB 2177. Having been in the national security space for over 30 years, this is a great initiative. Not only will it help at the national level, it will have positive impact at the local and state level. Students learning a world language prepares them for succeeding on the global and local stage. Oddly, this proposed legislation runs counter to HB 2341 which intends to dilute and ultimately eliminate the learning of world languages. HB 2341 is misguided legislation and should be opposed.
I OPPOSE HB2341 because I do not believe CTE students should be able to obtain an advanced studies diploma WITHOUT a world language requirement. Computer Technology Education can never replace the importance and benefits of learning a world language. There is no comparison to learning culture, listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing in another world language. PLEASE BLOCK THIS BILL FROM PASSING
I represent the Foreign Language Association of Virginia. The Foreign Language Association of Virginia opposes this bill because it sets up a direct opposition between world languages and career and technical education, which will disadvantage all students. Career and technical education is not in opposition to world languages; the two disciplines can work together to prepare career-ready global citizens. All Virginians pursue careers in a multilingual, multicultural society within the global economy, in fields ranging from agriculture to national security. A survey conducted by IPSOS in 2018 for the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) found that nine of ten U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills other than English; 56% say their foreign language demand will increase, and 36% say it will remain the same. An important argument against HB 2341 is the finding that the sectors relying on U.S. employees with world language skills are precisely those of students pursuing CTE: construction, manufacturing, health care, and technical services (IT). The attached graph illustrates this point. The Department of Defense considers language skills so important that it funds substantial multi-year competitive grants to improve K-12 world language education in schools that serve JROTC programs and military communities. Virginia Beach, Newport News, and York County have received such grants. World languages courses teach the interpersonal and communication skills essential in any workplace. Eliminating world languages from the requirements for CTE students will disadvantage them in both the workplace and our multilingual, multicultural world. Finally, HB 2341 is unnecessary. The General Assembly passed and the Governor signed HB 938 last year. This bill, among other things, requires the Board of Education to collaborate with stakeholders, evaluate options, and make recommendations to the General Assembly about, among other things, “expanding the Advanced Studies diploma.” In other words, the Board of Education is already working on what HB 2341 addresses. For all these reasons, we ask that you oppose HB 2341. Thank you. Sharon Scinicariello, Ph.D. Advocacy Chair
As an educator familiar with the service industry, I oppose HB2341. Rather than take world language requirements away, we should be working to increase training in various languages in order to strengthen our workforce. When working in the fields that CTE supports, it is well known that many of our professionals speak a language other than English. This is an additional skill they bring to the table and we are robbing Virginian students of this opportunity when we take away WL requirements. You may say that students can still have the option to take a language, but as requirements subside, programs will die and students will no longer have the options they have now. Language is an integral part of education and has been for centuries. Would we make math optional? One might argue that most people don't use a lot of the math they learned in high school, yet it is still required (and should be). Consider skilled workers who have been trained in CTE. They use various languages, particularly Spanish. That is an asset we can help students attain. As I see it, world languages and CTE go hand-in-hand. World language education is part of career and technical education. Knowing another language empowers workers to communicate with a broader audience and understand different points of view. And before we say that language is taking up valuable space in a schedule or that not all students can learn a language, consider what is lost by not knowing another language as far as job skills and marketability are concerned. Consider that the students already know English - they CAN learn a language. Please don't lower the bar in Virginia and take these opportunities from our students. Trust and train educators to make language learning accessible and attainable for all. Let Virginia take the lead on career and technical education.
HB 2341 creates an advanced studies diploma WITHOUT a world language requirement for CTE students. Research shows that employers in CTE employment sectors--construction, manufacturing, health care--are those who value students with world language skills. Students who graduate without these skills will be at a lifelong disadvantage in the job market. In an ever diverse world having proficiency in more than one language is always an advantage. Our doctors, nurses, and assistants all benefit from having a working ability in Spanish for sure but with the diverse population in Virginia other world languages are also a benefit. In the Hospitality Industry the ability to speak and understand other languages than English is also needed and a boon to employers. Construction is also the same. Look at the expansion of the HRBT, the company providing the drill is German, having employees who can communicate with them is a boon to the project. Why would we tell CTE students that world languages are not needed for them? ALL people can learn language, we know English, we can learn other languages as well. We do NOT need to dumb down the requirements for an advanced diploma, students are capable to learn. Mr. Davis, my representative from Virginia Beach, knows how multicultural of an area Hampton Roads is. With NATO and the many international companies, in addition to the tourism industry, the need for employees who have the ability to communicate in languages other than English is important, but more so are the soft skills that language learning develops and nurtures. In our classrooms, students learn how to listen to understand, how to speak to be understood, how to view the world through a lens of curiosity vs judgement, and how to be patient with themselves and others. Students learn that there are many ways to live and customs/traditions around them that are not wrong or scary but interesting and valuable. They are more open to new ideas and more critical consumers of media. Employers are looking for these tributes in employees. There are even health benefits to being bilingual. Dementia is shown to be delayed by up to 5 years in bilingual brains, memory is better throughout our lives. HB2341 is dumbing down our curriculum and student learning. It will put students at a disadvantage with employers for the rest of their lives. The world is not growing smaller, it is simply getting closer to us on a daily basis and Americans need to be able to compete with the world, even CTE students. Thank you for your consideration of my remarks. Please strike down HB2341.
As a veteran world language teacher of 30 years and a member of VOWLS , and FLAVA I oppose HB2341. Virginia's students need both career readiness and global readiness skills to succeed . It is imperative that we not diminish theimportant role of world languages in our students' development. If anything, we need more world language study for both advanced and standard diploma students coupled with CTE. HB2341 requires one curriculum to rival another. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we should encourage the study of world languages in support of Virginia’s profile of a graduate and as a work readiness skill. In 2017, after years of data collection and evaluation Google found the most important qualities of their top employees were soft skills including: communicating and listening well, possessing insights in others having empathy toward and being supportive of colleagues, and being able to make connections across complex ideas. Google reports good team members demonstrate generosity, empathy, emotional intelligence, and can exhibit a curiosity toward the ideas of their teammates. Each of these are practiced as an integral part of the world language curriculum. In 2022, The Center for Global Education Asia Society pondered in their article “GlobalCompetence Through Career and Technical Education” how to ensure students are prepared with skills to connect, to compete, and to collaborate in a global economy. As the world becomes more interconnected with 1 in 5 jobs tied to international trade, how do we prepare students for work and civic roles in an environment where success increasingly requires the ability to work with others from diverse backgrounds in a global market? The Association for CTE concluded that critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, along with creativity and innovation were imperative for work readiness standards. Virginia’s Standards of Learning for World Languages to show world language courses are instrumental in supporting students in these areas; therefore they should be included in the same diploma path as a diploma that requires the completion of CTE courses for receipt of an advanced diploma. In addition to eliminating an opportunity for students to develop soft skills that are important to ensuring our students are equipped to be successful in the workforce, HB2341 would do students a disservice. Most 4 year universities in Virginia require 2-3 years of world language-studies for admission. Top-tier schools across the nation require 3-4 years of worldlanguage studies for admission while many other colleges and universities require a minimum of one-two semesters of language study at the 200 level or above to graduate from their establishment. Not only would this bill limit many of our students from gaining admission to many 4 year universities by forcing them to choose a track of study for diploma, but it would hamper their economic futures. Currently there is a critical need for speakers of world languagesin Virginia. A quick search of indeed.com reveals that there are thousands of positions currently open for proficient world language speakers , languages taught in our public schools. Set students up for success without forcing them to choose, by ensuring they possess the linguistic skills, work readiness skills, and global competence needed to succeed by opposing this bill.
CTE classes are in NO way equivalent to knowing a foreign language and not represent advanced studies. The United States is consistently behind when with regards to its citizens learning another language. Everyday in the USA there is an ever increasing need in the medical, construction, legal, manufacturing, etc. sections for individuals who are capable of speaking and translating -verbally-from one language to another. Please do NOT pass HB2341. Doing so would only harm our students and country for generations to come. We should be encouraging our students to be global citizens and provide them with a basis to employable anywhere. We owe it to our future leaders to prepare them.
On behalf of the Foreign Language Association of Virginia (FLAVA), I am writing to express our overwhelming opposition to HB2341. While the intent of this bill is to elevate the prestige of career and technical education, Virginia's students need both career readiness and global readiness skills to succeed after high school. It is imperative that we not diminish the important role of world languages in our students' development. If anything, we need more world language study for both advanced and standard diploma students coupled with career and technical courses. HB2341 in its current status, requires one curriculum to rival another. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, we should continue to encourage the study of world languages in support of Virginia’s Profile of a Graduate and as a work-readiness skill. In 2017, after years of data collection and evaluation of employees, Google found among the most important qualities of their top employees were all soft skills. These skills include, but are not limited to: communicating and listening well, possessing insights in others (including others’ different values and points of view), having empathy toward and being supportive of colleagues, and being able to make connections across complex ideas. Google goes on to report that good team members demonstrate generosity, empathy, emotional intelligence, emotional safety (meaning each team member can feel confident in speaking up and in making mistakes), and can exhibit a curiosity toward the ideas of their teammates. Each of these soft skills are practiced and are an integral part of the world language curriculum, classroom, and community, so much so they have been identified by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) in their World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. It takes only a glance at Virginia’s Standards of Learning for World Languages to conclude that world language courses are instrumental in supporting students in these areas. Furthermore, in 2019, ACTFL published Making Languages Our Business: Addressing Foreign Language Demand Among U.S. Employers. According to the report, “9 out of 10 U.S. employers rely on employees with language skills other than English” and that “56% say their language demand will increase in the next 5 years”. These numbers indicate the urgent and growing demand for language skills across all sectors. If we want to continue to be successful in creating a thriving global economy in Virginia, we must work hard to foster a robust future multilingual workforce by including World Language courses as an essential component for all Virginia high school students who are completing the advanced studies diploma, and even for those taking the standard diploma. As President of FLAVA, I join my voice with the administrators and employers who understand the economic value and the cognitive benefits of world language study and in opposition to HB2341. I hope that you consider our reasoned opposition as you discuss the bill. Let’s set our students up for success in a globally competitive economy by ensuring they possess the linguistic skills and global competence to succeed.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose changing the Advanced Studies Diploma to exclude the World Language credit. The Advanced diploma is designed to guarantee that students are ready for higher education pursuits. Removing the World Language requirement will put students at a great disadvantage when they get to their universities who expect them to have basic language skills, but also to be experienced language learners, a completely different skill. The World Language requirement also prepares students the job force. So many careers today require multi-lingual skills and employers are desperate for polyglots. Do a search on any job or recruitment site and this is obvious. Even our federal government has a critical need for world language speakers. Removing the World Language will mean that students are NOT prepared for the workforce. National Work-Force Readiness standards include language skills.
Oppose this bill
HB2358 - School protection officers; employment in public schools.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
HB2367 - Speech-language pathologists; Department of Education to develop a statewide strategic plan.
re: HB2367 | Hudson | Speech-language pathologists; Department of Education to develop a statewide strategic plan. I moved to Harrisonburg, VA in 2019 and began my career with the local city schools during the year of the pandemic. My first experience as an SLP in Virginia was of attempting to provide speech and language services virtually to a caseload of students who had significant difficulty making it online to our scheduled appointments. I persevered and came back to it in 2021. Early on, we pivoted and changed to shortened days. I had students on rolling quarantines, and was expected to connect with families to still provide services. I persevered and came back to it in 2022. When I started with HCPS in 2020, the SLP team consisted of 10 SLPs plus a Lead SLP. In the last 3 years, we have had 3 SLPs quit and 1 retire. Our Lead SLP also retired, and our division did not post or attempt to fill her position. We have hired and failed to retain SLPAs, and we are now down to 5 SLPs and 3 SLPAs, plus a contracted virtual SLP who is based in Rhode Island. We are all attempting to do the work of our original team of 10 + 1, while caseloads have not gotten smaller. Our city has also moved to a more inclusive model, which means that we have all had more students on our caseloads were diverse, and sometimes monumental needs. To say that what's left of us is over-worked would be a gross under-statement. I have been advocating for a pay raise over the last two years, both as compensation for our division's inability to retain, and also to potentially help with recruiting more SLPs. I have always been told by our Central Office staff that a pay raise is out of the question unless the State provides more funding. I love working with students, and I see the value of my work. I see students making progress, and so I persevere. However, the approaching burn-out is real. I hope that you are able to make the right decision to support my profession, so that SLPs can continue to support students in what matters most - having a voice.
Support for HB 2367 I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with over 20 years experience in Virginia and 12 of those years were spent in the public schools. The caseload in the public schools for SLPs is not manageable and nearly impossible given the amount of documentation required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) and medicaid billing being required by many school divisions. I know this from first hand experience and it is the fundamental reason I left working as an SLP in K-12 education. Speech Language Pathology is a helping profession rooted in evidence-based practices (EBP). As a professor and graduate director of an SLP masters program in Virginia, my colleagues and I are responsible for teaching our students EBPs for a variety of communication delays and disorders. However, when these new young professionals leave the "ivory tower" of higher education they are faced with a harsh reality - EBP take a back seat to merely meeting time on an IEP. Paperwork and billing are prioritized over student success outcomes. The data collected by our state professional organization (SHAV), coupled with the lack of movement in the GA on this topic from last year, is clear. The VA DOE needs to find solutions to the caseload problem identified in our state or we will continue to have SLPs leave the school systems for the higher paying positions in skilled nursing facilities, private contracting companies, and hospitals leaving our children without essential services. Additionally, well-trained beginning SLPs are leaving Virginia for states such as North Carolina, West Virginia, and Maryland to take positions in states with appropriate caseload caps for SLPs in the public schools. Thank you for your support of Virginia's SLPs, our future SLPs, and most importantly - the children with disabilities receiving these critical services in the public school system.
As a full-time Speech Pathologist in Gloucester County, I support bill HB2367. With divisions across the state struggling to provide services due to overwhelming caseloads and understaffed teams, it is critical that a strategic plan be put in place for recruiting and retaining SLPs.
On behalf of speech therapists throughout the state of Virginia, we thank you for once again calling attention to the economic and workload disparity experienced by myself and fellow speech-language therapists in public schools. We are in need of our representatives to reach out to VDOE and task them with completing a study to develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). As a practicing SLP in VA public schools, I have seen firsthand how detrimental it is to students' success in the classroom to not receive necessary aid through speech and language intervention. Our jobs impact more than just reading and writing classes as many of these skills are closely related to subjects like math, science, social studies, and specials. As an educational community, it is our responsibility to provide the appropriate level of support for our students to be successful. If we are unable to recruit and retain those who can bridge the gap (especially for those students who are severely delayed, non-speaking, and/or considered special education), how can we expect to provide ethical and effective education? As mentioned by a fellow SLP, "In November 2022, only 25 of the 47 districts (53%) were fully staffed. Of the 22 districts (47%) not fully staffed, the number of openings ranges from .5 to over 5 full time SLP positions. Students in need of speech-language services are having their needs go unmet." I am writing in support to have VDOE begin to collect information on behalf of the students in our state who continue to struggle to receive the support they need and the SLPs who work tirelessly to provide for their schools.
To Members of the House Education-Early Childhood/Innovation Sub-committee, I am writing in support of HB2367.This plan looks to ask the VDOE to generate a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of SLPs. I’m a speech therapist in the public schools in Chesterfield County. During the fall of 2022, I carried a caseload of 81 students across two high schools This year my caseload began with 65 across two schools. Other colleagues were carrying caseloads similar to mine stude, above 60 students. According to state guidelines, the maximum number of students per speech language pathologist in the county ranges between 55-68 students. Our caseload numbers have far exceeded the limit over the past two years. During this time, the head of the speech and language department reported that they were short 5-6 speech therapists each year. Currently, our county is short staffed again, with openings and inability to cover maternity leave. New hirees are also leaving due to low pay ratio versus workload. As a result, the head of the department serviced the students herself and attended over 200 meetings . Lastly, I was told that contract personnel are difficult to fill the gaps because of high caseload, responsibilities, lack of support, and pay retention. Many SLPs that are able to retire or doing so due to the same reasons; over worked, under valued. In essence, speech language pathologists are spread thin with ever changing dynamics of their responsibilities. In closing, our students and our schools are in need of qualified SLPs to address the IDEA required services. In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), as outlined in this bill. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.
This bill is extremely important to the students receiving speech-language services, their families, and the clinicians that serve them.
I am in support of HB2367. Currently, the Virginia caseload cap of 68 is well above the national average of 47. Our students and our schools are in need of qualified Speech- Language Pathologists, (SLPs). In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of SLPs, as outlined in this bill. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, SLPs are seeing a huge rise in the number of speech referrals increasing our caseload numbers above and beyond. Not only is the number of students on our caseloads affecting our ability to provide quality services, but the number of meetings we are required to attend, as well as the required paperwork (daily notes, IEPs, plans of care, progress notes, Medicaid billing, etc.), does not allow us the time to be completed during our contracted work hours. This also results in our salaries not reflecting the national average according to the American Speech and Hearing Association’s survey completed in the spring of 2020 for school based Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists. Their numbers report an average salary of $66,000. I am an SLP with 22 years’ experience and 15 years working in the school system. We are a small rural county in southwest Virginia and I recently spoke with our Special Education Director about the possibility of hiring another SLP within our county. I was told, “we do not have the money and she was advised not to request any additional positions.” This is unacceptable and is a detriment to the students and families, not just in Pulaski County, but all counties in VA where this is the case. Please move this bill forward to begin the strategic plan to develop and maintain a plan for recruiting and retaining speech-language pathologists. We appreciate your support and look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you for all you do. Please support this bill to help us provide speech and language therapy to students identified with speech and language disorders. As a Speech Language Pathologist, I work hard to meet the needs of all of my students, as do all of us in the state. We need your support to be able to reduce our workloads and have manageable caseloads. Our students, their families, and our schools deserve to be afforded the best speech services. We need lower caseloads caps. We are the only group in the school system that screens students, evaluates students, writes evaluation reports, case manages about 20 students, develop IEPs, provide therapy services to up to 68 students in an average of 2 different school buildings, and hold re-evaluation meetings as well as provide documentation and data from every speech therapy session. We work hard for our students and we hope you will too! Thank you!
I am writing in support of HB 2367. I have had the pleasure of being a school-based SLP for 22 years. I love my career, the students and families that I am blessed to serve. I have worked in two different school divisions during my career and in both within Region 3. We are in need of assistance from the state to help recruit and retain school-based SLPs. In my current division, we employ two full-time speech pathologists, but we require at least another part-time speech pathologist; a full-time position would be outstanding! To ensure we are providing appropriate services, we contract for in-person services with a company. Many of the neighboring divisions do the same and even with the support of contracted companies, there are students whose needs go unmet. Our monies could better be spent for a direct-hire to the division. One method of helping to retain and recruit qualified SLP's would be reducing the number of students to be served on a caseload. The current cap for caseloads in VA is 68 and it far exceeds the national average of 47. The caseload for our students require hours above and beyond the workday to write reports, plan and bill Medicaid. In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), as outlined in this bill.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
This is my 7th year as a school-based SLP. I've had the opportunity to work for 3 different school districts in Virginia. Each district I've been employed with has it's own unique strengths and weaknesses. As a whole, the school based SLPs in Virginia are overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. In my experience, districts view recommended caseload caps as that, recommendations. On a daily basis, I work hours passed my paid contract hours to lesson plan, bill Medicaid and compose reports as I do not have time within the school day to complete such tasks. Most school districts will offer an SLP a teacher salary with a Masters degree stipend. In order to retain and recruit SLPs, I recommend that VDOE considers revising the caseload cap to a workload model as no 2 students are the same. A caseload of 68 articulation and language impaired students has significantly different needs than a student with Autism, etc. and requires additional planning and consulting time working with the educational team. I would also recommend to increase the salary of school based SLPs to be competitive with the private and medical settings SLP salaries.
To Members of the House Education-Early Childhood/Innovation Sub-committee, I am writing in support of HB2367.This plan looks to ask the VDOE to generate a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of SLPs. I’m a speech therapist in the public schools in Loudoun County. During the fall of 2022, I carried a caseload of 75 students. Other colleagues were carrying caseloads similar to mine of 78 students. According to state guidelines, the maximum number of students per speech language pathologist in the county ranges between 55-68 students. Our caseload numbers far exceeded the limit. During this time, the head of the speech and language department reported that they were short 5 speech therapist. Currently, our county is short staffed yet again, as we don’t have an adequate number of speech therapist available to cover maternity leave. The reason I know this is that I was asked to cover a portion of a speech therapist’s caseload, but I pushed back as my caseload itself was growing. As a result, the head of the department serviced the students herself. Lastly, since I’ve worked in this county, I was told that they are no longer permitted to hire part-time speech therapist and that the county would prefer them not to use contract personnel to fill the gap. In essence, speech language pathologists are spread thin with ever changing dynamics of their responsibilities. In closing, our students and our schools are in need of qualified SLPs. In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), as outlined in this bill. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
To Members of the House Education-Early Childhood/Innovation Sub-committee, I am writing in support of HB2367. Last year, the bill was submitted as HB547. In conversations with the members of the committee that reviewed it, there was support and the decision was to lay it on the table and follow up with a letter to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), tasking them with completing the study and developing a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). I was grateful for the support that was expressed for school based SLPs throughout the 2022 session. However, the letter was never written and therefore there has been no movement forward on the strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of SLPs. As we are now on the other side of the pandemic, the need for recruiting and retaining SLPs is higher than ever. In the fall of 2022 a survey was sent out to the lead SLPs across Virginia. 47 districts responded. Districts are employing the following professionals to provide the needed speech-language services to their students: ● 98% of districts employ full time SLP/school employees ● 49% of districts employ part time SLP/school employees ● 55% of districts contract SLPs (in person) ● 23% of districts contract SLPs (virtual-telethealth) ● 21% of districts employ SLPAs Even with utilizing all of these options, in November 2022, only 25 of the 47 districts (53%) were fully staffed. Of the 22 districts (47%) not fully staffed, the number of openings ranges from .5 to over 5 full time SLP positions. Students in need of speech-language services are having their needs go unmet. During the 2001-2002 school year, data was collected from all school districts in terms of the number of SLP positions and the number of openings they had. This data also allowed the team to look at the fiscal impact and how many more SLP positions would be needed across the commonwealth if the caseload cap were reduced. However, this data is over 20 years old. Additionally, the need for the reduction of the speech-language pathologists’ caseload has been well established in the Virginia General Assembly per discussion and action in 1989, 1994 and 2000. When the Virginia General Assembly reduced the caseload to 70, it included the intent of the General Assembly to reduce caseloads to a level equivalent to the national average by the year 1999. Yet, the current cap of 68 is well above the national average of 47. Our students and our schools are in need of qualified SLPs. In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), as outlined in this bill. Thank you for your consideration,
The proposed HB2367 bill requesting that the VDOE develop a strategic plan for retaining and recruiting school-based speech pathologists is critical. I am 1 of 3 full time speech pathologists in Orange County, VA. The district has not been able to fill the fourth position since at least 2017 (pre-pandemic). Since the 2021-2022 school year, OCPS is meeting employment needs by contracting with a remote speech pathologist who provides teletherapy services from Florida. Even with a recent locally funded $3,500 stipend for Orange County speech-pathologists, the fourth position has remained unfilled. I have spent the first 5 years of my career in speech-pathology serving Virginia public schools through a range of contracted and full-time school positions. When I switched from a contracted role to an internal direct-hire role for a VA school district, I took a $10,000 pay cut. A differentiated pay scale for speech pathologists serving public school districts across the state of Virginia is a critically important step for retention and recruitment of skilled clinicians in public schools. Retention improves student outcomes and promotes positive family relationships.
Please understand that in the Spring of 2020, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) conducted a survey of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and educational audiologists in school settings. The survey revealed the median salary for working 9 or 10 months was $66,000 with a median hourly wage of $54.00. In Wythe County Schools, even with the population difference, we are still well below the survey results in each of these areas. The survey also noted some of the population received a supplement for Medicaid billing which we already provide as part of our job responsibility. We appreciate your understanding of the need to develop and maintain a statewide strategic plan for recruiting and retaining speech-language pathologists. We, as a team, feel that our positions warrant salaries that will help recruit and retain qualified SLPs to the public schools in Virginia. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely, Kara L. Goforth, M.S., CCC-SLP/A Wythe County Public Schools Spiller Elementary, Wytheville (276)724-0517 Employed 20 years
To Members of the House Education-Early Childhood/Innovation Sub-committee, I am writing in support of HB2367. Last year, the bill was submitted as HB547. In conversations with the members of the committee that reviewed it, there was support and the decision was to lay it on the table and follow up with a letter to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), tasking them with completing the study and developing a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs). I was grateful for the support that was expressed for school based SLPs throughout the 2022 session. However, the letter was never written and therefore there has been no movement forward on the strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of SLPs. As we are now on the other side of the pandemic, the need for recruiting and retaining SLPs is higher than ever. In the fall of 2022 a survey was sent out to the lead SLPs across Virginia. 47 districts responded. Districts are employing the following professionals to provide the needed speech-language services to their students: 98% of districts employ full time SLP/school employees 49% of districts employ part time SLP/school employees 55% of districts contract SLPs (in person) 23% of districts contract SLPs (virtual-telethealth) 21% of districts employ SLPAs Even with utilizing all of these options, in November 2022, only 25 of the 47 districts (53%) were fully staffed. Of the 22 districts (47%) not fully staffed, the number of openings ranges from .5 to over 5 full time SLP positions. Students in need of speech-language services are having their needs go unmet. During the 2001-2002 school year, data was collected from all school districts in terms of the number of SLP positions and the number of openings they had. This data also allowed the team to look at the fiscal impact and how many more SLP positions would be needed across the commonwealth if the caseload cap were reduced. However, this data is over 20 years old. Additionally, the need for the reduction of the speech-language pathologists’ caseload has been well established in the Virginia General Assembly per discussion and action in 1989, 1994 and 2000. When the Virginia General Assembly reduced the caseload to 70, it included the intent of the General Assembly to reduce caseloads to a level equivalent to the national average by the year 1999. Yet, the current cap of 68 is well above the national average of 47. Our students and our schools are in need of qualified SLPs. In order to provide this, the VDOE needs to complete the study and develop a strategic plan for the recruitment and retention of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), as outlined in this bill. Please let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time and consideration, Amber Handon, MEd CCC-SLP amber.handon@gmail.com Speech-Language Pathologist working in Charlottesville City Schools.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2396 - Virginia College Savings Plan; renamed Commonwealth Savers Plan, duties of governing board.
I hope that you will move to report the following bills as our students desperately need help. It is clear that the previous years' actions by other groups are not supporting kids to learn facts and think for themselves: becoming functional adults that contribute positively to our world. HB1555, HB1726, HB1887, HB1889, HB2277, HB2396 are all items that are before you that will be a catalyst for positive change. Thank you for your time,
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
HB2425 - Higher educational institutions; information about institutional debt, report, civil penalty.
HB1916 - this fixes problems when boards don't act HB2272 - this will help African Americans (and possibly other minorities too) that should they need to go on to other educational institutions to finish training/education, they don't have a huge debt already from undergrad and therefore be less financially burdened when they become employed in their field. HB2425 - Good idea.
HB2429 - Athletic trainers; exemption from liability when administering albuterol inhalers, etc.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
HB2457 - Public elementary and secondary school teachers; temporary employment, training activities, report.
As a mother to 5 children, some who are lgbtqia+ this is harmful to all of my children. My straight kids have more rights than my non straight children. How is this justifiable? At what point are all people created equal? Why am Ibfirced to have different survival conversations with each of my children because of laws like these? Why are my LGBTQIA+ kids worth less than my straight kids to my state government? At what point will you work to protect all of my children equally?
HB2462 - Student loans, certain; default, institutional liability.
HB2469 - Standards of Learning; assessment revision work group, etc.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
HB2490 - Division laboratory schools; application and establishment.
HB2495 - Middle School Mathematics Innovation Zone Program; established.
I don’t care that these bills are not listed here. This needs to be heard. For Bill 1707 and 2432. A bill that outs queer students to their families forcibly is one of the most dangerous, absurd bill propositions I’ve ever seen. This bill has no regard for the safety of queer children and instead prioritizes parents without any sort of understanding of what life is like for queer people and how often being outed leads to queer children being kicked out, abandoned, injured, and even killed by bigoted family members. It is disgusting to see my government propose a bill like this. A government which passes this bill cannot claim to care for its citizens- it only cares about furthering an anti-queer agenda and a bigoted belief system which is based on nothing. To force children into being outed by their school systems is incredibly disgusting and dangerous. If passed, I believe firmly that that teen mental health will decline and suicide rates will spike, kids will be forced onto the streets- either by their own families or running away, and life for queer youth will become exponentially harder than it already is. The government should be helping its young people, not prioritizing bigoted anti queer views for the older generations. This is disgusting, ineffective, and horrifying to see.
Stop attacking these families and their kids. Gender dysphoria is real, and these children need to be accepted and supported. Their classmates need to learn to accept and be kind to those who are not exactly like they are (so when they grow up, we don't continue to have to deal with the ignorance and cruelty we see here today). Everyone deserves to be who they want to be, this is America, right?
HB1387 - K-12 schools/higher ed. institution; designation of interscholastic, etc., sports based on sex, etc.
Virginia Faith and Freedom would like to express our support for HB 1387. This bill asks that every student participating in public elementary or secondary school sports have an athletic eligibility form signed by the approved medical professionals, as listed in the bill, confirming ability to participate in athletics and confirming biological sex. Then that child will be allowed to participate in sports that are allowed for their biological sex. This bill is for the protections of women's sports and to ensure that there is no unfair biological advantage. We want the Commonwealth to have protections for our female athletes so they can strive for the highest athletic achievements without worry of being ousted by males. It is not discriminatory to have sex segregation in athletic competition. As females, having to compete against males is unsafe, unfair, and takes away opportunity for these women and girls. It is a misconception that this is not an issue. 18 states have already taken action on this issue and passed similar ‘Save Women's Sports’ Bills. Virginia needs to take action to give women and girls fair play.
oppose bill HB1387 it sounds like it will complicate things and do harm. I think it's fine that everyone has different body types and abilities, they should still get to do sports as their gender
oppose HB1387 I agree with my family members who explained it to me and I believe we should oppose it
oppose HB1387 it is the option with less administrative work
OPPOSE HB1387
OPPOSE 1387, vote no keep it simple
OPPOSE HB 1387, please. I urge you to not create another barrier for young people, girls & boys, based on their gender. It is the path of least resistance to stop this bill. It 's time effective & cost effective to stop this bill now. Imagine how much administrative work would be added to put this into practice.. Transgender girls are girls & transgender boys are boys. That makes it so simple! When trans girls compete in girls sports, only girls are competing. We don't need to worry about children's body parts. Scientists have repeatedly said there is no single biological factor that determines sex, and sex assigned at birth is not the sole determinant of gender. Everyone has a range of different physical characteristics, like people who are disabled, transgender, or intersex. Many people who are not trans have hormone levels outside of the range considered average. Trying to measure this would be odd & exhausting for schools, teachers, admin, students. Important: suicide in youth: This is a life and death matter. Suicide is the 4th -largest cause of death in 15- to 19-year-olds globally. Transgender teens are *7.6 times more likely to attempt suicide*. Wow. Data indicate that 82% of transgender individuals have considered killing themselves and 40% have attempted suicide, with suicidality highest among transgender youth. A protective factor is supportive community opportunities. ALL kids need safe places where they can be their true selves to literally decrease the risk of death. Like sports teams. Anti-transgender state policies contribute to increased suicide attempts, here is how- Perez-Brumer et al. (2015) studied bills introduced to state legislatures July 2019-July 2020. 51 states/territories, 52-weeks, 2,652 observations. States’ passing of anti-trans rights bills were linked with more suicide &depression related Internet searches. Defeated anti-trans bills was linked with less suicide &depression related searches. (Cunningham et al 2022). In California & Connecticut with inclusive policies- all girls’ sports participation has increased by almost 14% in California 2014-2020. States with policies that exclude transgender youth from sports- see less engagement by all girls in sports. (CDC, 2020). I have heard talk that the trans sports ban HB 1387 would hurt all the non-trans girls, and my first thought was- doesn’t that reinforce stereotypes that women & girls are weak, in need of protection? We know that girls & women are strong, capable, & facing sexism. President Joe Biden issued an executive order calling on the federal government to fully implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, explicitly stating that “children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, locker room, or school sports.” People use sports to cope, these kids are no different, sports literally save lives. We all need to feel included in a safe space! I am sure some of you found comfort in playing sports and making friends on the field even if you felt lonely other places. Oppose HB1387 please.
While I am temporarily not living in Virginia, I grew up in Fairfax County, did K-12 and undergrad there, and will return in the not too distant future to grow old there, so I have a vested interest in what this legislature decides. As a mental health professional who specializes in caring for LGBT+ individuals, I know the lifelong harm that can be done by efforts--by the individual or by institutions, peers, and yes, parents--who try to suppress a young person's natural gender or sexuality. And that is for the young people who survive; many, sadly, do not. And to be clear, when I say "natural gender" I am referring to a phenomenon that, with current science, we cannot determine except by the report of the person experiencing it. No one--not a doctor, not a parent, and certainly not a legislator who's never met them--can say what signals a child's nervous system is sending to the oldest and deepest parts of their brain; we can only determine it from the words and behavior of the child themselves, when they say "I am a boy," "I am a girl," "I am neither." And if modern science cannot determine it better than the child can, what can highly simplified, grade school biology based on science that was already outdated decades ago do? In short, the child is the world's top, and only, expert on their own gender. Anyone--parent, teacher, legislator, therapist--who declares otherwise is speaking about a topic on which it is impossible for them to have any knowledge; it is not a belief but pure foolishness. Worse than foolishness: we know that dismissing a transgender child's statements about their gender, trying to repress that and treat them as the gender some doctor declared after a few seconds of examination without consulting the world's only expert (who, admittedly, was probably either in the womb or crying at the time), dramatically increases that child's risk of depression, trauma- and stress-related disorders, and suicide. (The origin of that infamous "40 percent" statistic--it drops to levels comparable with the child's cisgender peers if their gender is accepted by their family and community.) Every time an institution insists on treating the child as their assumed gender rather than the one they know themselves to be--as school sports programs would be mandated to do by HB1387--is an act of harm toward that child. It is bad enough when laws allow schools to harm children; how much worse is a law that requires it? Which, like HB1387, HB2432 does as well. Again, speaking from my experience as a mental health professional who works with LGBT+ individuals, sometimes parents hurt their children. Many of my clients were mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically harmed by parents who rejected their identities, and there is no one in a better position to gauge that risk than the child themselves. If a child feels safe revealing their identity to a teacher, counselor, or coach, and unsafe revealing it to their parent, there is very often a good reason. For the health and safety of the child--which must always take precedence over the rights of the parent, because children are people, not property--educators must be bound by confidence when the child reveals things that, if told to the parent, could bring the child to harm. In summary, please vote no on HB1387, no on HB2432, and yes on keeping trans children safe, healthy, and thriving.
I fully SUPPORT HB1387. My previous comments on the physical and physiological differences in both pre- and post-pubescent males stand. Males have an advantage over females, even after testosterone suppression — that is clear from vast amounts of scientific evidence. My concern, however, is the blatant misrepresentation of the intent of this bill. On January 30, Delegate Jeff Bourne announce the following on Twitter: “This morning I testified against legislation that would have prevented Virginia's transgender kids from playing in school sports.” As you know (and contrary to many of the comments on this site), HB1387 says nothing about preventing any individual from playing in school sports. The bill simply restricts who may play sports designated for women and girls — that is, only women and girls may play on women’s and girls’ teams. I respectfully ask that you 1. Recognize an appeal to emotion in comments opposing this bill and 2. Recognize that when a delegate either intentionally or unintentionally misleads the public on the intent of legislation, the public cannot respond on an informed basis. Furthermore, I strongly urge you to consider the application of HB1387 in its original scope —that is, it should apply to K-12 + institutions of higher education. Scholarships are at stake. Please do not enable men to take them away from women.
I am writing IN SUPPORT of HB1387 as it specifically applies to athletics in general and swimming in particular. In my opinion, those who maintain that biological females can fairly compete against biological males in swimming are denying the significant physical advantages that males have, starting as early as the 11-12 age group. In fact, when looking at local swim league records, comparing males and females, in 11 to 18 year old events, there is not a single overall record held by an individual female or relay team. Even in the 6 to 10 year old events there are only 5 individual records and 1 relay record held by females out of a total of 34 events. Four of those records are held by one exceptional female. In total, out of 82 sex specific events in our local swim league, only 6 overall records are held by females. The same is true with USA Swimming Age Group Records. There is not a single overall record held by an individual female or relay team in 11 and over events. It is impossible to deny the impact of testosterone on physical performance. We do not knowingly allow a youth athlete to participate in an age group that does not correspond to their biological age. It's obvious that the reason we have different age groups is that we clearly recognize the physical differences between, say a 10 year old and a 16 year old. I submit that sex differences are just as significant. This comment should not be interpreted as discriminatory against anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+. They should all be treated with respect and compassion afford to all. However, allowing biological males to compete as females clearly discriminates against biological females participating in female athletic events by putting them at an obvious disadvantage.
Our family supports this bill and believes that sports should be based on biological sex. Children and adults identifying as another sex are welcome to compete in their own leagues. There's room for all but the insistence that biological sex does not come into play in sports is absurd and a disservice to all who want to compete.
Vote no on this bill as it harms some of the most vulnerable of our children.
I urge you to oppose HB2432 and HB1387! These bills are harmful to trans students. Our schools and communities should strive to nurture and support our kids, not put measures in place that will cause them harm. As a parent myself, I know how important it is to make schools safe for ALL students.
Every student should be viewed with compassion and caring - no matter what his/her beliefs. Transgender youths do not impose their lifestyles on others, do not harm others, and should not be singled out or victimized. Their lives are difficult enough without adding more complications. Why single someone out when one IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THEM? As a legislator, YOU should be acting in a moral and responsible manner - representing ALL of your constituents. This is NOT DOING SO!
As a Virginia resident, I am writing with grave concerns about HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), an anti-transgender bill that would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics in K-12 schools as well as higher education club sports. I'm also concerned about HB 2432 (LaRock), as this bill would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student could be transgender and/or nonbinary. When the House Education Committee meets on Wednesday, I urge you to reject these bills. We can agree that transgender youth exist and live here in Virginia and attend public schools and colleges in Virginia. Transgender students, like any other student, deserve the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers through sports. Both the Virginia High School League and the NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports, and these policies are working just fine. HB 1387 is unnecessary and would prevent trans athletes from accessing the benefits of sports. Forcibly outing transgender youth also creates a unwelcoming school environment. Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers. Additionally, too many LGBTQ youth still face significant challenges fighting discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by peers, family members, and others in their communities. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Of these, 46% ran away because of family rejection. HB 2432 would place LGBTQ+ youth at risk for housing insecurity. This is not a bill that will help LGBTQ+ youth. Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and the mere introduction of this legislation is making it even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. I strongly believe that every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. HB 1387 and HB 2432 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them.
Please reject HB 1387. Trans young people deserve the same opportunities to play sports as everyone else. The rules for school sports are fair only when they include trans students. Please also reject HB 2432. Trans kids deserve to be treated with kindness and respect, and that means allowing them to come out to their parents when they feel ready and expect that they will be safe in doing so. Schools should not meddle in family relationships by outing children to their parents.
Please vote NO. Trans youth deserve respect and to be safe
Good morning, My name is Christina Villafaña Dalcher, and I am a resident of Norfolk, Virginia. I do not represent any organization; I merely write to the committee as a concerned citizen and an advocate for female athletes. The emotional arguments opposing this bill are strong, but they do not trump the primary objective argument supporting it (which also has to do with strength) that biological males are stronger than biological females. No amount of testosterone suppression can take away the advantages that male puberty affords. No amount of name-changing or identifying can alter the fact that males possess more muscle mass, heavier bones, less body fat, larger skeletons, increased lung volume, etc. Physical and physiological differences are a reality that cannot be identified or transitioned out of. It is not offensive, mean-spirited, or hateful to state this. What is offensive, and what is mean-spirited, is the idea that any girl or woman should be forced to compete with an individual against whom she has no chance of winning. We have seen this play out over the past few years with the University of Pennsylvania’s swim team, where Lia Thomas, who once competed on the men’s team, moved up in ranking after shifting to the women’s team. How much did Thomas move up? In the 500-yard freestyle, Thomas had ranked 65th when swimming with men during the 2018-2019 season. In 2022, competing against women, Thomas ranked first. Thomas also moved from 554th on the men’s team to 5th on the women’s team in another event—the 200-yard freestyle. How are we to explain this sudden shift in ranking other than in the patently obvious way: that Lia Thomas benefits from being born male and that Thomas enjoys the advantage of immutable physical traits. That this did not occur in Virginia, or that similar situations have not yet taken place in the Commonwealth, is not an argument. For every biological male who earns a place on a women’s team, wins a medal in a female division, or is offered an athletic scholarship to play as a woman, someone loses that place, or medal, or scholarship. And the person who loses is a woman. Allow me to put this in simple terms: across-the-board inclusion in women’s and girls’ sports is tantamount to exclusion of precisely the people for whom these sports are intended: females. Today, there may be a small handful of transgender athletes in Virginia. Again, this is not a valid argument in opposition to this bill. The magic number is not three or ten or five hundred. The magic number is one. One woman. One opportunity lost to an individual who already has a place in the athletic community: the men’s team. Please support House Bill 1387. Thank you for your kind attention.
As a Virginia resident, a former Virginia public school board member, and the proud parent of a non-binary Virginia college student, I am writing with grave concerns about HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), an anti-transgender bill that would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics in K-12 schools as well as higher education club sports. I'm also concerned about HB 2432 (LaRock), as this bill would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student could be transgender and/or nonbinary. When the House Education Committee meets on Wednesday, I urge you to reject these bills. <P> Thousands of transgender students live here in Virginia and attend Virginia public schools and colleges. Transgender students deserve the same chances as any other student to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers through sports. Both the Virginia High School League and the NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports, and these policies are working just fine. HB 1387 is unnecessary and would prevent trans athletes from accessing the benefits of sports. <P> Forcibly outing transgender youth also creates a unwelcoming school environment. Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers. Additionally, too many LGBTQ youth still face significant challenges fighting discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by peers, family members, and others in their communities. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Of these, 46% ran away because of family rejection. HB 2432 would place LGBTQ+ youth at risk for housing insecurity. This is not a bill that will help LGBTQ+ youth. <P> Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and significantly higher rates of attempted suicide compared to their cisgender peers. The mere introduction of this legislation is making things even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. <P> The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. I strongly believe that every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. HB 1387 and HB 2432 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them. Thank you for your time.
To the Education Committee, Please vote NO on all four bills --- to support the young people who would be affected. To protect their privacy .,respect their dignity and defend their rights. Barbara Morris Falls C hurch, Va.
Hb1387 no Hb1707 no Hb2137 no HB2432 yes
As a mother of a transgender child, I urge you to allow trans athletes to participate in sports that align with their gender identify. Sports have been life-saving for my child. There was a time when my child was so depressed that he could not get out of bed. Participating in physical activity is so wonderful for our physical and mental wellbeing and allowing children to be themselves and participate helps foster healthy lifestyle choices and promotes positive self image and mental health. Sports helped my child feel comfortable and accepted, and participating on a sports team has improved his mental health considerably. Good mental health has contributed to his excellent engagement in school and improved wellbeing in general. If he is no longer allowed to participate, I am concerned about the impacts on his mental and physical well-being. He now feels seen and accepted. Being excluded will be devastating and the effects will run much deeper and wider than the sports field. How would you feel being excluded from a beloved sport? Plead choose to include those in our society that are already feeling marginalized. Thank you.
I strongly oppose all of these bills. Transgender rights are human rights. Any regulations imposed by the government is government overreach. These bills do not put the mental health and well being of youth first. Did you know that on average 40% of trans youth die by suicide. These bills threaten to drive that frightening statistic higher. Please don't threaten the lives of transgender youth in our state!
I urge you to vote NO on HB 1387 & HB 2432. Both bills are fueled by hate and ignorance. Stop dividing all of us with dirty boots on the ground. NO on HB 1387 & HB 2432
Dear Board Members and Staff, I write to you as a resident of Virginia, a former teacher and a parent. I write to you as a firm believer in personal freedoms for all regardless of a person's age, race, color, ethnicity, political affiliation or economic status. By personal freedoms I mean the right to safely going about one's life without targeted harassment, without being labeled; to be able to feel save with one's identity. These proposed bills serve not to protect individual rights but to limit the rights of a group of children and adolescents who are in the process of discovering who they are and building their character. By limiting their ability to participate in school activities such as sport teams or by forcing them to share their most personal feelings about their identity and gender these bills, the actions that school staff, teachers and administrators will be forced to take will serve only to make them targets of discrimination and ostracism. Life is difficult enough for any teen or preteen trying to figure out where they fit in this world; they are all under such intense pressures to meet standards of academic performance, to have the "right" clothes, to have the latest tech item, to stave off peer pressure to experiment with drugs and alcohol and sex -- to add to all of that the fear of being called out, of being "outed" before the child is really ready to share that part of themselves with their peers or members of their family for fear of being rejected is just untenable; it's cruel and absolutely unnecessary. Then, for those students who have found the courage to share with the world their gender identity, to tell them that they cannot participate in school sports in a way that is in line with that gender identity is, essentially, telling them that they do not matter, that they do not have a place in the community, that they are unwelcome and less than human. To rob those students of the many life lessons and chances to build character and leadership skills and make what can be lifelong friends through sports on teams that match their gender identity is simply cruel and unnecessary. Transgender kids competing on teams that match their gender identity do not present threats to the potential achievements of their peers any more than non transgender teammates and opponents. We want all students to learn to respect themselves and to respect others, even others who look different, act differently and think differently. It is in learning how to interact respectfully with people who are different from us that we learn the important lessons that help us be good citizens of our local communities and the world. It opens so many doors of opportunity to explore different careers, different ways of serving our community and country. These bills will serve to teach kids that they do not have to be respectful of others who have gender identities that differ from their assigned sex at birth. What's next-- people who have different accents? different skin tones? from different neighborhoods? different wealth brackets? I implore you to think beyond the politically motivated sound bites and think of the mental, emotional and physical welfare of all students, trans, binary, nonbinary, -- all of them and vote NO on these bills. Thank you. JCMC
Dear Members of the Virginia House Committee on Education: I am a graduate of 2 Virginia public universities (B.S.Ed. UVa 2007, M.S. JMU 2016) and a mother of 2 young children whom I hope will attend Virginia public schools in a few years. Given this context, I write to express my strong opposition to the 2 anti-transgender bills up for vote during your meeting on Feb 1, 2023. The diverse student bodies of my undergraduate and graduate experiences were important components of the world-class education I received at UVa & JMU, and sexual orientation and gender identity are important components of this diversity. This diversity enriched my life and helped prepare me for my careers as a research administrator at UVa and now a speech-language pathologist serving adult rehabilitation inpatients. Furthermore, my children (3 years and 9 weeks old) are too young to have concepts of sexual orientation or gender identity, and they may grow up to be LGBTQ+. If my children identify as transgender or non-binary when they are older, my husband and I will fully support them. This will include ensuring they are educated in a safe and supportive environment. The anti-transgender bills I write to oppose [HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 2432 (LaRock)] would make public school inherently unsafe and unsupportive for my (and many other Virginia) children if they grow into trans or non-binary youth. This would force my husband and I to seriously consider not sending our children to Virginia public schools, which would make me a *very unhappy constituent.* I urge you to focus on important educational issues facing Virginians, such as improving compensation, morale, recruitment, and retention of teachers, bus drivers, and other staff; increasing mental health supports for students; and reforming our educational system to refocus away from success on standardized testing and toward training children for a creativity- and skills-based economy rather than manufactured issues around LGBTQ+ children and youth. Sincerely yours, Janice Dean
Children should not be pawns in your political agenda! Every child deserves an environment of encouragement, respect and opportunity. Our schools should not foster hatred and fear.
I am writing to oppose HB 1387 and HB 2432 and any anti Trans legislation that might come before the education committee. Access to athletics is important for all children and access to clubs is also important. Trans girls should have equal protection and be able to participate in the team building and leadership lessons that come with being on a sports team. And likewise kids should not be threatened with being outed in order to participate in any club. Stop targeting trans kids. All Kids need to be protected. Trans kids deserve equal treatment. Vote NO on HB 1387 and HB 2432 and all anti Trans and anti LGBTQ+ legislation. Support ALL Children and ALL families.
I urge your to vote NO to both of these bills As a parent, grandparent, and former educator in the US and abroad and in secular and religious education programs, I want to live in a state whose education system supports ALL of our students as they grow and evolve into the people they are born to be. That's the point : they are still growing and becoming. Adolescence is already a difficult time for them. Sexuality is complex, making it highly questionable to force students to identify in a rigid manner. They need understanding and support, not rigid, punishing laws. Let's be open and reasonable, treating all students with respect, and trusting that with wise adults watching over them, they will in time come to a good place regarding their self-confidence, sexual identity, and competence. Please vote NO to these two bills.
I oppose HB 1387 and HB 2432. They harm our youth and our communities. I ask that you oppose them as well, Marit Simenson
I oppose all four of the above bills that will hurt our trans youth, who are already one of the most at-risk groups in our state for mental health problems and attempting suicide. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia, a small business owner in Herndon, and the parent of two children in Fairfax County Public Schools, one of whom is non-binary. As a therapist, I also regularly work with trans and non-binary students who fear for the safety at school and sometimes at home. Why is our state legislature trying to make the state LESS safe for our most vulnerable youth? As both an expert professional and a mother, I urge you to vote NO to all four of the proposed laws that would hurt our children.
Reject these horrible bills!! These are clear transphobia. This is putting trans youth in harm's way. All this bullying has to STOP!! Seriously. Stop hurting kids and actually do some good for a change. You have better things to do. Trans rights are human rights!
I am a native of Virginia and currently live in Arlington. I am appalled that the House of Delegates is actually considering adopting either HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) or HB 2432 (LaRock). I beg you to please reject both of these bills on Wednesday when the House Education Committee meets. My transgender son would be directly impacted by these bills. His ability to play sports would be imperiled by HB 1387, which unnecessarily and unfairly prevents all trans kids from being able to participate in sports. The VA HSL and NCAA have policies that allow transgender athletes to play sports. Please let those policies stand and reject HB 1387! HB 2432 needs to also be rejected. Many transgender students do not have the supportive home environment which my son enjoys. This bill will hurt kids and hurt supportive school communities. It will fuel violence against transgender kids and further divide families. Please reject this bill! Thank you.
As a Virginia resident, parent and educator, I am writing with grave concerns about HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), an anti-transgender bill that would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics in K-12 schools as well as higher education club sports. I'm also concerned about HB 2432 (LaRock), as this bill would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student could be transgender and/or nonbinary. When the House Education Committee meets on Wednesday, I urge you to reject these bills. Transgender youth exist and live in Virginia and attend public schools and colleges in Virginia. Transgender students, like any other student, deserve the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers through sports. Both the Virginia High School League and the NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports, and these policies are working. HB 1387 is unnecessary and would prevent trans athletes from accessing the benefits of sports. Forcibly outing transgender and nonbinary youth also creates a unwelcoming school environment. Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers. Additionally, too many LGBTQ youth still face significant challenges fighting discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by peers, family members, and others in their communities. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Of these, 46% ran away because of family rejection. HB 2432 would place LGBTQ+ youth at risk for housing insecurity. This is not a bill that will help LGBTQ+ youth in fact it will put many of these youth in grave danger. Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and the mere introduction of this legislation is making it even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. I strongly believe that every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. HB 1387 and HB 2432 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them. Thank you for your time.
Honorable members of the House of Delegates, Jesus Loves the Little Children and so do I! Please vote no against these ugly, disgusting anti-children bills! Thank you!
This is the time to provide an inclusive environment for our youth. All young people deserve to feel safe, respected and included. LBGTQ+ youth are especially vulnerable and the one place they can feel accepted is in a school setting. Please don't take this away and make life more difficult. Sports provide so many skills that all kids deserve. There is no threat. Instead it is an opportunity for the Commonwealth of VA to continue to shine. We should not be taking away the rights of people or "outing" students to their parents. I am a long time VA resident (and Voter) and grew up in Northern VA in the 70's. I am contacting you now because I am very concerned about Human Rights in VA including LBGTQ+ and Women's Rights. I want to continue to be proud to live in Virginia. Please do the right thing and welcome all types of people in the education system. Provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. Respectfully, Cassandra Kudej
Before voting on HB1387 and 2432 I would insist that you visit with at least 20 transgender youth and ask them how they feel about these bills. My guess is you are carrying a bill you know nothing about and care little about but to score political points with a certain group. Virginia has real issues like housing and food insecurity and that is where the focus should be put. I oppose both of these bills as a resident and taxpayer of Virginia.
Trans youth (and all youth) deserve equal access to activities (including sports) and deserve to have their privacy rights respected. Legislators need to focus on protecting trans youth and on educating all youth to understand and respect peoples of different gender identities and sexual orientations, not on banning some students from sports and not on outing students to potentially transphobic guardians.
As an educator with over 35 years of teaching experience & of working with LGBTQ youth of all ages, I urge you to reject these bills that will only harm trans kids. Trans kids already face innumerable challenges at school & there is no valid reason that sports has to be yet another one. Please let these kids be themselves. Let them play for their respective teams. Allow trans kids to live their lives to the fullest. When we support trans kids, we support all kids .
As a resident of Virginia, and a proud parent of both a transgender child and a nonbinary child, I urge the committee to reject HB1387 and HB2432. These bills are attacks on an already marginalized community of Virginia youth. HB1387 would place barriers in the way for student athletes who happen to be transgender, prohibiting them from obtaining the benefits of playing sports with their peers. The VHSL already has procedures in place to allow transgender athletes to play sports fairly; these existing VHSL procedures work well, making this proposed bill a solution looking for a problem. HB 2432 would place transgender youth in possible danger; outing youth to parents who may be unsupportive could lead to homelessness and an increase in mental health crises. Additionally, it could prevent youth from feeling safe at school and stop them from reaching out for help from school counselors and staff. This bill would harm, not help, an already marginalized community. Virginia schools should make the safety and well-being of all students the top priority; these two bills would do the opposite, by making life harder and more dangerous for youth who identify as LGBTQ+.
As a Virginia resident and parent of a transgender child, I strongly oppose HB1387 and HB2432 in the interest of keeping my child and all the Commonwealth’s children safe from discrimination and harm.
My name is Nancy Kunkel. I am mother to four graduates of Virginia public schools: Three daughters and one son. One of my daughters is Transgender. Like probably many of you, I never imagined I would have a transgender child, but I am grateful for her courage, and that she is still alive. I live with the constant fear of losing my trans daughter to violence. She lives in fear she will be shamed, denied health care; physically attacked; or murdered just for being herself. Trans kids have the same inalienable rights as everyone, including the right to privacy. I want to see all children have the same chance to thrive, and that requires treating all children with dignity and respect. In addition, if we accept oppression of trans kids, we also open the door to oppression of many kinds of people who can be scapegoated in a similar fashion. As a Christian, I believe we are all members of the same human family. I pray that our shared humanity spurs the Virginia House of Delegates to show empathy and compassion, as well as follow best practices in the treatment of transgender children, by voting NO to the anti-trans bills HB 1387 and HB 2432. Thank you.
As a resident of Henrico, parent of two teenagers in public school, and Licensed Professional Counselor, I oppose the following harmful bills: HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), HB 1399 (March), HB 1707 (Durant), and HB 2432 (LaRock). Please join me in protecting trans rights.
I implore the House Education Committee to vote NO on HB-1387 and HB-2432. My children are not trans, but a small number of their friends are, and they are not publicly out to their parents yet, so these bills affect our lives in substantive ways. There is NO REASON for the state to interfere in a child or family's affairs in this way. It's biological fact that gender identity doesn't always align with biological sex. These bills would out children to potentially hostile parents which has real-world consequences in terms of mental health and physical safety. This is unnecessary and harmful interference in childrens' lives, and also puts teachers in situations they shouldn't be involved in. The party of "small government" has no right to demand these things be legislated and controlled by the state.
These proposed bills are transphobic, prejudicial and just plain harmful to transgender and/or non-binary youth of Virginia. While debate may ensue about transgender athletes leave it up to the individual schools. Regarding forced “outing” of students to parents by teachers and school staff this is an absolutely horrendous and potentially very harmful proposal! Earlier this year I went to a Fairfax County School Board meeting re this very topic. It was so sad and scary and absolutely heart wrenching to see young people who got up to testify against this proposed bill NOT for themselves but rather “for my friend who would be kicked out of their house tonight if their parents knew they were transgender”. Schools are supposed to be a place where students not only go to learn from books but also care, respect, support and tolerance FOR & FROM others! The young people who feel it is safe to share with their parents will, those that do not should be able to have sanctuary. Our immediate neighborhood has already lost one young person to suicide due to this scenario - do we need more on our hands? PLEASE VOTE NO!
I’m writing in opposition of HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 2432 (LaRock), both of which target transgender youth and make our schools less accepting. As a gay man who grew up in Southwest Virginia, I know how hard it can be to navigate understanding your identity and place when those around you aren’t always accepting of those identities. Schools should support all LGBTQ youth and create welcoming environments, especially for trans kids who already face hurdles and hate outside of school. Both of these bills punish trans youth who wish to have a normal school experience learning, playing sports, and connecting with peers. HB 2432 in particular also places new burdens on parents, teachers, school personnel, and students, while also forcing the government into the private lives of Virginians. I urge the committee to reject both of these hateful, divisive, and unneeded bills which create new problems and burdens instead of solving issues facing Virginians.
Hi! My name is Erin, and I am the mom of a seven-year-old nonbinary kiddo. Ever since my child could speak, they have insisted to us that they are not, in fact, a boy like we originally thought. They have turned into a fierce, fun-loving, dress-wearing, tree-climbing kid, who loves colorful leggings, Legos, headbands, playing with their friends (all girls), and playing soccer. My child did not choose their gender. They are clearly expressing a consistent gender experience, that while different than my husband and I expected, is no less real to them than their red hair or missing front teeth. They corrected us for years ("not sweet boy, sweet CHILD! Don't you remember, I'm not a boy!?") until we finally got the message, and adjusted their wardrobe and pronouns accordingly! My child loves to play soccer. It has already been a bit tricky, as most kids' teams separate by gender, and my first grader does not fit into either gender box. All of their friends are girls, the look and dress like a girl, and we are fortunate that our local soccer organization allows them to play on the team where they most closely identify. It is worrisome to think that at some point this may no longer be an option. My kiddo loves school, and has had incredible teachers in their VA public school for Kindergarten and first grade, that have fully supported who they are. We are incredibly lucky, but I know that this is not the norm. These bills that have been introduced (the trans sports ban and others), are not in the best interest of my child, or others like them. They are unnecessarily isolating, and increasing the likelihood of bullying and discrimination (and the resulting mental health challenges) during their school experience. Please consider bills that would instead focus on keeping everyone safe at school, and not further marginalizing kiddos who are already facing an uphill battle as it is. My kiddo just wants to be a kid. And wear a dress. And play soccer. Thank you for your time! ~ Erin Brown
I am writing as the parent of a trans young adult. I fully understand the reasoning behind these bills but those who support them don’t fully understand and appreciate the results we will see. According to the NIH 82% of trans young people consider suicide and 40% have attempted suicide. These numbers VASTLY outpace the general population. The leading reasons for these increased statistics is rejection and mistreatment from friends, family and community. Coming out is a deeply personal and emotional time for the vast majority of trans people. Uncertainties around who will accept them and the danger they are in from those who do not can not be understated. Providing confidentiality with teachers or other school staff gives the students a trusted adult to help them navigate this freighting and uncertain time and the support to maintain their mental health. Of course the goal of these adult will be for the young person to talk to their parents but many times this disclosure is dangerous for the trans person and having outside support is imperative to keeping these kids healthy and safe. Children do not belong to their parents. They are autonomous individuals who are allowed to disagree with their parents beliefs. I have been through this coming out as a parent and can promise you how one reacts from the jump is VITAL to the wellbeing of the child. It’s not an easy time by any stretch, but forcing a student out and not giving them time to process and talk through this period with a trusted adult who is not their parent only does harm to the child. The sports ban is just simple window dressing. You are playing politics with kids for show as none of the science backs any kind of advantage for trans people in athletics. Firstly it is a TINY, minuscule percent of the population that this subject is even applicable to. Second, the point of youth sports is to build sportsmanship, team building, camaraderie, and healthy outlets for physical exercise. I promise you no boy is going to go through the incredibly emotionally difficult transition to fake being a trans girl. It completely defies logic. Thank you for your time and please consider that fear mongering around an already very vulnerable group is truly distasteful and abhorrent.
As a public school parent in Virginia, I urge you to oppose HB 1387 and HB 2432. Please let Virginia students be themselves in a safe space, which may be school and not home. Let them participate in sports just like every other student. Gender diverse kids like mine just want to have a normal school experience like everyone else. I strongly oppose these bills and hope you will do the right thing in voting against them.
As a registered voting Virginia resident, I am writing with grave concerns about HB 1387 (Greenhalgh), an anti-transgender bill that would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics in K-12 schools as well as higher education club sports. I'm also concerned about HB 2432 (LaRock), as this bill would require public school personnel to contact a student's parent if they believe that the student could be transgender and/or nonbinary. When the House Education Committee meets on Wednesday, I urge you to reject these bills. We can agree that transgender youth exist and live here in Virginia and attend public schools and colleges in Virginia. Transgender students, like any other student, deserve the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers through sports. Both the Virginia High School League and the NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports, and these policies are working just fine. HB 1387 is unnecessary and would prevent trans athletes from accessing the benefits of sports. Forcibly outing transgender youth also creates a unwelcoming school environment. Trust between school staff and students is necessary to provide adequate mental-health support. If students feel that their communications are not confidential, they will be less likely to disclose important information to their school counselors and teachers. Additionally, too many LGBTQ youth still face significant challenges fighting discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse by peers, family members, and others in their communities. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ. Of these, 46% ran away because of family rejection. HB 2432 would place LGBTQ+ youth at risk for housing insecurity. This is not a bill that will help LGBTQ+ youth. Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and the mere introduction of this legislation is making it even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. I strongly believe that every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. Forcibly outing students will increase the strain on the current mental health provider shortage: “93 of Virginia’s 133 localities are federally-designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas; 37% of Virginians (3.2 million) live in them. Two localities have no licensed BH professionals; 35 have no trained BH prescriber (Psychiatrist, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner). It will take a variety of short- and long-term strategies over a number of years to address Virginia’s significant shortage of licensed BH professionals." : Oswalt, 2022 Executive Director Virginia Health Care Foundation. HB 1387 and HB 2432 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them. Thank you for your time.
I strongly oppose the above listed anti trans Bils which encourage discrimination and hatred of those who happen to be different. We should be accepting and supportive and ashamed to be devaluing our fellow human beings , especially our pr.ecious children
I am writing to ask that you No on these bills. They are squarely in opposition to Virginia's values. If we cannot abide by Patrick Henry's cry of "give me liberty or give me death," then what good are we. Not allowing our trans youth to live authentically and privately is tyrannical and dangerous.
I support HB1387. I ask that the Education Committee and (later) the House of Delegates support this bill as well. This bill would protect females in sports from unfair and unsafe conditions. The average biological male is scientifically proven to have greater bone density, more muscle, more weight, and be taller than the average biological female. During athletic competitions, this provides an unfair advantage to biological males when competing against biological females, even if the biological male identifies as female. Not only do biological males have a competitive advantage, but in contact sports against biological females they are also more likely to injure female competitors due to the difference in respective muscle mass, height, weight, and bone density. There are also many safety, security, and privacy concerns in regards to allowing transwomen (biological males) to share locker rooms and/or bathrooms with biological females. I think it is much safer to keep locker rooms, bathrooms, and other "private" rooms intended for females, solely for biological female use. I understand that the main counterpoints to HB1387 are that transgender people, especially teens/children, are likely to commit acts of self harm or commit suicide if they are not accepted for their identified gender. Additionally, critics may state that there are not enough transwomen competing in female sports to cause any major concerns in terms of fair competition, safety, or biological females being excluded from team sports due to having their spot on a team being taken by a transwoman. In terms of the first issue, in regards to self harm: I think allowing transwomen to compete in female sports due to fear of self harm/suicide is dangerous because it does not actually address the propensity for self harm. It instead avoids dealing with that important and dangerous issue. It puts the responsibility of the safety and self esteem of the transwoman on the shoulders of the female teams and leagues, instead of with the transwoman and their loved ones. I think focusing instead on solving the propensity for self harm due to lack of acceptance by others, is much more important than avoiding the subject altogether by instead focusing on acceptance in female sports. In regards to the second item, transwomen in sports being so few as to not substantially effect the female teams or leagues: that makes little sense to me. Even if only one transwoman plays in a female league, their unfair advantage during competition changes the game and experiences of every female they play. No matter how minute that change may seem to be, it would be wrong to allow, as those leagues were originally meant for (biological) females to play in. Those leagues were all solely constructed so that biological females had a safe, fair, and rewarding environment to compete in. This bill does allow for both trans students to play in "coed" or "male" leagues. So, for those trans athletes who feel they would miss out on sports, they should be aware that HB 1387 does not stop them from competing. It also does not stop them from creating trans leagues, similar to the NHL's trans hockey tournament that was popularized around Nov/Dec 2022. Lastly, I am confused by the critics of this bill...namely the majority of the Democrats in the HoD. They claim to be "champions of women's rights", but they don't seem to be listening to many biological women now.
I fully support this bill
Comments Document
HRC Opposition to HB 1387 and HB 1399
To the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Virginia House, My name is Makenna “Mak” Atkins. I am transgender college student attending a public state university, VCU. I am concerned about the bills HB 1387 and HB 1399, which would bar students in all levels of education from participating in school sports. I ask that HB 1387 and HB 1399 are voted AGAINST and NOT passed. I have been involved in the sport of rowing since middle school, and have continued through college. Rowing is a sport that requires extreme cooperation and unity; as many as 8 people are moving a boat together. We often prize it as “the ultimate team sport”. I first did a summer camp, to try it out before joining the high school team in the fall. I fell in love with the sport; being out on the glassy water and in green nature on gorgeous sunny days, while moving a boat yourself, is a refreshing way to spend the afternoon or morning. I was on my high school team for all four years, being a leader as a coxswain. A coxswain is the leader of larger boats who steers, gives instructions, and helps the coaches run practices. I also have been a part of a collegiate aged summer team, as well an adult, or masters, team. I am now a part of VCU's rowing team, with an opportunity to compete nationally against other college club rowing teams, especially in this spring semester. Personally, for me my teams have been a huge part of my social life for the last 5 years and will continue to be a great source of friendship, as well as mentorship from older teammates and from coaches. My position within the sport has also helped me develop leadership and communication skills. It has also forced me to confront my anxiety to some level, and I have been able to develop confidence. Having other people depend on me and have a common goal to work towards together also helped my confidence as well fueled my motivation to work hard at something. I have been able to earn numerous ribbons, as well as two medals; one during a scholastic state championship and one during a national summer competition. I still have strong connections to my past and current peers and teammates, many of whom are my best friends. I could not imagine my life without this sport! There are many trans rowers and coxswains, who are integral part of the sport at every level, before and during higher education, and are welcomed in our community. Without being able to be on either my high school or collegiate team, I would have not found a wonderful and unique sport, nor a tight knit group of friends who are like family. For many kids and young adults sports are an accessible way to connect with other people and exercise, which helps our mental health, but also to put work towards a goal and achieve. If HB 1387 and HB 1399 are passed, myself and other transgender kids and young adults would be denied these benefits and opportunities, and would be isolated from our peers. I beg you to let transgender children and young adults of all ages be able to join and continue to be on our schools’ scholastic and collegiate teams, in ALL sports. It benefits us in all realms - mentally, emotionally and physically, and we benefit and strengthen our teams and communities, just as any other person does. HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 1399 (March) would bar this opportunity from us. I ask you to please NOT vote for these harmful and devastating bills. Thank you, Mak Atkins (he/they)
HB 1387 and HB 1399 would harm transgender youth and prevent them from participating in school athletics- in K-12 schools and higher education club sports. I urge you to reject these bills. Thousands of transgender youth exist and live here in Virginia and attend public schools and colleges in Virginia. Transgender students, like any other students, deserves the same chances to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and self-discipline, and to build a sense of belonging with their peers. Both the Virginia High School League and NCAA have policies that allow transgender students to play in sports and these policies are working just fine. These bills are flawed solutions in search of a problem. Transgender students already face disproportionately high rates of bullying and rejection, and the mere introduction of this legislation making it even worse. It essentially amounts to state-sponsored bullying. The legislature should be focused on real priorities that all Virginians are facing, not manufacturing a problem where none exists. Every Virginian should be treated with dignity and respect, including transgender young people. HB 1387 and 1399 are wrong for Virginia. Please reject them.
I urge you to vote NO on Bill 1387 & Bill 1399. These bills are going to isolate the most vulnerable members of our student bodies. Please do not contribute to the hate any longer. It’s not only harmful to the human beings you targeted but it’s harmful to everyone in our community with dirty boots on the ground. Our teachers, parents, children, sheriffs, realtors, farmers, pharmacies. You are destroying the very communities you are trying to grow. Vote NO on Bills 1387 & 1399 and let our communities heal.
As a resident of Virginia, I urge you to oppose HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March). I am worried about the continuing legislative attacks on transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people in our state. These two bills trying to ban transgender kids and young adults from sports are harmful, discriminatory, unnecessary, and frankly the opposite of good sportsmanship. Sports leagues like the NCAA have policies in place to ensure a level playing field while allowing opportunities for everyone to participate. Passing these two bills would be government overreach in an area that already has working policies to keep sports fair. Also, as someone who played on girls soccer teams growing up, I would have been happy to have a transgender girl on the team or to play against one to let her join in the joy and activity of the sport as herself. Every girl is an individual with different skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses--whether she is cisgender or transgender. Physical variations are vast, especially among kids and young adults as they are growing. Some sports favor small builds and flexibility, while others favor strength and speed. Being transgender doesn't necessarily provide you with any advantages or disadvantages. I always hear in arguments for bills like these about how transgender girls have higher testosterone, which supposedly gives them an advantage. As someone with PCOS, I have a higher level of testosterone than what is considered "average" among cisgender girls; I was still able to play sports and I was nowhere near the best player on my teams; I was never the fastest or strongest. The mere introduction of these bills causes distress to many of Virginia's citizens, both children and adults, athletes and nonathletes by rejecting an essential part of who they are. I want to live in a Virginia that is welcoming and supportive of all people, not discriminatory or even just tolerant. So I ask you to support our transgender, nonbinary, and intersex children and neighbors and encourage them to be themselves. Please say no to HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March). Thank you.
Oppose HB1387 and HB1399! Don’t single out trans students and essentially ban them from school sports. You are taking a group of KIDS already facing many challenges including possibly dealing with harassment and bullying, and taking away a chance to make friends and be a part of a team. The only thing you’re doing with these bills are increasing the divide between cis and trans students and trying to stop a problem that only exists due to hatred and misinformation.
I am writting to oppose HB1387 and 1399. As a Christian minister, I have worked with several teens and college age students who identify as trans. Some of them are athletes. As they struggle to claim and live into their identify, they face many challenges and struggles. The pressure of living genuinely leads to anxiety, depression and sometimes attempts of suicide. Anti-trans rules for athletics just increases these students' stresses. They have to choose whether their identity as a team member and athlete is more important or their gender identity that they are struggling to share and live into. It is ridiculous to think that any student would lie about their gender identity in order to excel at a sport. Please, put the safety and mental health of our trans students first as your priority and reject this bill.
I'm the mother of two transgender children who attended public school in Virginia. One of them participated in high school sports. People often focus the discussion about transgender youth participating in sports on concerns that at the elite level, transgender girls have an advantage over cis-gendered girls. This is a terrible misfocussing of the discussion and bars ALL transgender youth from participating in sports despite the fact that the vast majority of public school sports participants do not compete at an elite level. Participating in sports gives students a sense of belonging that our transgender youth desperately need. There are other solutions for concerns about elite level athletes. They can include science-based limits on testosterone levels and the same sort of "cooling off" period that the NCAA uses for MTF transgender athletes. Our commonwealth has advertised that "Virginia is for Lovers" since 1969. Let's find a way to love our transgender youth, not hate them and tell them that they are "less than."
I urge your committee to pass Delegate Greenhalgh's HB 1387 and send this Bill for a vote. Her bill directly, clearly and accurately places the rights of parents's in proper standing. No person knows a child better and has the responsibility and judgement to make the best decisions for a child than their own parent or guardian. Allowing other's, no mater their title or education, to hide important psychological aspects of a child from their parent hurts the child, wrongly intrudes upon Parental Rights and breaks down the most cohesive structure of our society - the family.
I would like to voice my opposition to HB1387 and HB1399, both of which discriminate against trans and nonbinary/gender independent students. I am a teacher at one of our state’s pediatric mental health hospitals, and many of my students are transgender or gender independent/nonbinary. They often speak of not being accepted at their schools and feeling unsafe. I see the result of schools not supporting these students. They are in the hospital for attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, self-harm, and the list goes on. We know statistics show that LGBTQ+ students have a higher rate of dying by suicide than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. When students are denied opportunities to fully express themselves in supportive environments, they suffer. Our society is beginning to understand that gender is a construct that our society has created and that gender identity has nothing to do with biological sex. In addition, that construct is limited, allowing only for two genders, when in fact there are many. I know it can be very difficult for some to understand and accept this. Raising our consciousness can be at times difficult and time consuming work. But it is necessary for societies to become better. Let me remind you that you are being asked to determine how we will treat children and adolescents who are still developing cognitively, emotionally, and socially. It is our responsibility to provide safe environments in which they can be supported to develop and grow. I have heard some talk about the safety risk that allowing trans and gender independent individuals to play on the team that matches their gender identity poses to non-trans/non-gender independent students. Remember when we used to not allow black students and other students of color to attend school with white students out of fear that white students would be harmed? Another decision steeped in discrimination and based on another construct-race. What seemed so clearly right turned out to be profoundly wrong. I can understand that it can be very hard to get past the fear, often expressing itself in the form of anger, of something new. Maybe some of you are scared of what might happen as these brilliant and brave students ask us to allow them to do something never allowed in our schools before. But, I also imagine that all of you became politicians to affect change and to help Virginians, youth not excluded. I would say that whether we are ready for it or not, our society is changing, and trans/gender independent students are leading the charge. In 50 years, or less I hope, don’t you want to be the people who helped support what is right and just? Please support trans and nonbinary students, and all students, by allowing this very harmful legislation to die in this subcommittee.
I love my nephew, who is transgender and attends public high school. Students deal with so many stressors in school, including worries about school violence. Hearing that powerful lawmakers want to exclude them from sports makes life even harder for students like my nephew. I hope you think about the many Virginia public school students like my nephew. Please don't advance HB1387 and HB1399.
Good Morning, My name is Alanna and I am commenting on behalf of the gross government overreach that these bills would require. HB1387 would require a health provider to conduct a genital inspection and sign off on that? Call it whatever you want but that is exactly what "The bill requires identification of the student's biological sex on an athletics eligibility form signed by a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant to be submitted by any such student who desires to try out for or participate in an interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic team or sport" would mean. It seems that there are many members of this General Assembly that are more pressed with taking individual rights away than creating policy that means something. The minors that these bills represent, just want to enjoy sporting activities or clubs, why gender needs to be brought into this is beyond me. I played baseball when I was a child and was heartbroken when at age 10 I had to play softball because "that's what girls played." Its not the same and removes the joy out of even playing any sport when one can't play what they chose to do. One final statement, my niece lives in the very Red State of Ohio and has enjoyed playing on the girls wrestling team for many years. What does Delegate March have against female wrestlers in HB1399. These bills are poorly written and flat out discriminatory.
HB 1387-NO HB1399 NO HB 1800 - NO HB 2272- yes
Please reject HB 1387 and HB 1399. It's cruel to exclude trans young people from playing sports with their peers. Like all kids, trans kids need to exercise, make friends, and learn the lessons about teamwork, discipline, and persisting through setbacks that sports can teach. Banning trans kids from sports denies them these important opportunities for growth. Worse, it sends them the message that they are unwanted. It sends other children the message that there is something wrong or bad about trans kids. It certainly doesn't serve the cause of fairness. My son's best friend growing up was trans. She was a kind, smart, funny kid that anyone would be happy to have their child play with. It hurts my heart to think of children like her being treated this way. Again, please oppose HB 1387 and HB 1399. Thank you, Anna Hebner Henrico
Dear members of the Higher Education Subcommittee, My name is Virginia Pannabecker. I live in Roanoke. I am writing to oppose HB 1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB 1399 (March), bills that would ban trans athletes from playing on the school sports teams that align with their gender identity, including in college-level club sports. I’m a Virginia community member and a parent of a college student and a high school student. I also work at a higher education institution. Many people I care about, family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community, including some who are transgender. Beyond fun and the challenge of athleticism, sports offer opportunities to connect with fellow students and to grow important life skills like: leadership, confidence, self-respect, and teamwork. Teamwork is important to me - from when I was on my high school swim team, to today when I team up with colleagues or neighbors to work together towards shared goals. Being on a team where your teammates respect and appreciate you for who you are is also affirming and increases our connections to each other across our communities. All students deserve a chance to play sports, including trans youth and young adults. I would be proud to join my family, friends, and community to cheer for teams that include transgender athletes, whether K-12 or college. The Virginia that I see is a state that welcomes and accepts people. Where we all belong. I urge you to oppose these bills, HB 1387 and HB 1399. Thank you for your time.
Dear Chairman Freitas and members of the House Higher Education Subcommittee, Equality Virginia is the leading advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people in Virginia. We respectfully submit our strong opposition to House Bill 1387 and House Bill 1399. There is simply no to back up the concerns that proponents of these bills claim to have. A small percentage of people identify as transgender in Virginia, and not all of them are interested in playing sports, and even fewer of them are elite level. There are real issues with gender parity in sports when it comes to funding, resources, pay equity, and more. Promoting baseless fears about trans athletes does nothing to address those real problems. Transgender people do not have an inherent competitive advantage in sports by virtue of their transition. In reality, transgender women and girls compete at levels similar to all women. No female transgender athlete has qualified for the Olympics, despite rules permitting participation that have been in place for more than a decade. At the high school level, 20 states already allow trans kids to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was about opening up opportunities for people to be able to benefit from true, meaningful opportunities to participate in sports. Allowing transgender people to participate in sports doesn’t change that – it is part of that. Research from the Center for American Progress published in February 2021 highlights the “physiological, social, and emotional” benefits of youth sport participation. Their work also stresses how transgender youth are more likely to struggle with depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. There are two main takeaways from their report: 1) trans exclusionary sport regulations “deprive an already vulnerable group of the benefits of sports,” and 2) this sort of exclusion is likely to exacerbate the struggles of trans and gender nonconforming youth. Because allowing trans girls to compete in girls’ sports doesn’t hurt anyone, advocates for women and girls in sports such as the National Women’s Law Center, the Women’s Sports Foundation, Women Leaders in College Sports, and others support trans-inclusive policies and oppose efforts to exclude transgender students from participating in sports. Several local and national sporting institutions – including the Virginia High School League and NCAA – have adopted policies allowing transgender athletes to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity, designed to guarantee there is no competitive advantage conferred by transition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) – an organization dedicated to athletic competition at the highest level –has even adopted a policy that allows transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity. Moreover, HB 1387 and 1399 are part of a larger trend -- fueled and funded by national-level organizations -- to influence and interfere with state politics, particularly around youth identity. All of these bills seek to single out transgender young people and subsequently increase bullying and harassment by preventing them from participating in the sports they love. The Virginia I know and love is not one that passes legislation that puts kids in danger. I encourage you to oppose these bills.
1387 & 1399 VPEP Opposes There are only 9 transgender athletes in the entire state. This is a waste of State resources. VHSL already has a policy addressing this so State involvement is not required The IOC admits trans athletes under guidelines Because the VHSL and other leagues are capable of making their own policy, the only reason to enact a ban at the State level is to bully a portion of the population through legislative abuse.
I am writing this to oppose both 1397 and 1399. I am a transgender woman athlete and at the age of 41 I have competed against cisgender women almost the entirety of my life. I grew up riding horses and showing at equestrian competitions over fences. For the last three years I have played on a local roller derby team as well as the state all star team. I am also one of five trans women on quad roller skates that is a sponsored aggressive park skater in the entire world. You can read this and assume that I have all of this because I am a trans athlete. However, the truth of the matter is I have had to work harder at this than I have at anything else in my entire life. People have focused on trans athletes, and whether we have fair or unfair advantages when the fact is that there are only 25 at most trans athletes in VA schools at this present moment. You sit there and focus on the athletic side of things, while not actual taking in the factors of why people assume I would have an advantage. I can guarantee you what you’re doing is not saving women’s sports. I can also guarantee you that me having had testosterone through puberty doesn’t guarantee I have an advantage in sports. The only advantage I would have possibly had if I grew up in normal sports is the ability to have had more time put into the building of my athleticism. Growing up as a male, I would have had access to better equipment, better coaches, and more experience/expectations that what I do in sports in grade schools could lead to more options later in life. Women, whether trans or not don’t have that access still. Yet what you don’t see is the cis women I competed with growing up, and the teammates I have now are family. We do life together. We eat together, we train together, we celebrate each other, and we cry together. They come to me with questions and deep thoughts because they can trust me. By limiting sports for trans athletes you’re limiting social experiences for them as well. Now in my opinion that’s one of your goals because when you say “no kid left behind” that only means for the socially accepted kids that fall in line with what you believe. Again there are a max of 25 trans athletes in the entirety of Virginia public schools right now, and not a single one of them have “dominated” any sport. So tell me again why is this so important that we have 230 some anti trans bills in the United States as of this very moment, with over a dozen here in this state other than some agenda that is being pushed. These transgender athletes and kids basic human rights should always come before you’re inability to maneuver around being uncomfortable. Thank you for your time.
Strongly OPPOSE these bills. These bills essentially ban kids like mine from participating in sports. This type of legislation singles out trans youth and robs them of the many opportunities athletics provide: Being on a team, connecting with peers, and building confidence through physical activity.
The percentage of student athletes who identify as Transgender is negligible at best. These are more examples of Bills that are a waste of Taxpayer dollars, looking for a solution to a non-existent problem, and once again unnecessarily targeting a group of students.
VOTE "NO" HB 1387 and HB 1399 Here are my three reasons to oppose these trans athlete ban bills: 1) There is a perceived (though credibly debatable) “advantage” that trans girls would have in sports competitions against cis girls. Following this logic, it would make NO sense to exclude trans boys from male sports. My trans son played both soccer and baseball and it was so SO important for him to have that experience. And for his peers to experience him as a team member. (So, no, marginalizing [and outing] trans athletes into their own leagues is NOT acceptable.) 2) These days MANY trans girls NEVER go thru a “male” puberty. It is blocked from the start, and when they are ready, they go thru the correct female puberty. So, again, the above logic of the perceived “advantage” would not apply. 3) Also puberty arrives at different rates throughout the K-12 schooling years. So, even without hormonal intervention, many students (especially middle thru lower HS) would still not have this perceived advantage. 4) The only context where the perceived male-puberty advantage would come into play is for athletes in late-to-post testosterone puberty. There ALREADY exists a robust set of guidelines for such trans athletes thru the Virginia High School League (which middle schools also adhere to). The policy has guidelines for hormone levels and transition progression. Anything more robust than the VHSL guidelines is NOT appropriate and is simply discriminatory.
My name is Heather Massey and I’m a resident of Glen Allen, VA 23060. As the parent of a K-12 public school student, I’m writing to let you know that I oppose HB 1387. Categorically banning transgender youth from participating in sports singles out trans youth and robs them of the many opportunities that athletics provide: being on a team, connecting with their peers, and building confidence through physical activity. All youth should have an equal opportunity to participate in sports.
School sports should be based on biological sex because it clearly places female athletes at a disadvantage. Biological males are clearly stronger than female athletes and no science is really needed to prove that. It is common sense. Because of this, biological females simply cannot compete for college athletic scholarships and other professional awards if they are competing against male athletes. They will lose every time. This bill will put common sense back in sports.
As a Virginia resident who has enjoyed the passion, camaraderie, and invaluable life lessons gained through scholastic sports, I cannot imagine those experiences having been denied to me because of my gender identity. Transgender people — especially children and young adults — are just as deserving of these formative experiences as their cisgender peers, and they deserve to have them on a team that represents and shares the gender that they align with. I am strongly against HB 1387 and HB 1399.
Our trans students deserve to participate in the sports of the gender they identify with. This legislation would involve such an incredibly small number of kids, it is not at all necessary. Trans kids already face such bullying that they don't feel welcome to participate in sports. For those brave enough to follow their athletic dreams, they should be allowed to play.
HB1387 and HB1399 are both travesties in waiting that would target Virginia's transgender and queer students by barring them from participating in school sports safely. These bills would force trans students to play for teams that don't align with their gender, and that would create environments of bullying, intolerance, and discrimination. Our trans students need to be able to be safe and themselves in order to prosper in education, and they should not be made into tools in some political game. As a transgender woman myself who went to Virginia's public schools, I know that we should be working to promote safety and inclusion for transgender students, not forcing them out of public life and into the closet.
I oppose HB1387. Participation in sports should not be politicized. K-12 and college students are doing a better job than their parents at appreciating diversity and getting along with others, rather than creating divisiveness for attention. Please let transgender students participate in sports with their teammates.
Comments Document
In summary of my spoken statement, "biological sex" is a meaningless category when transgender individuals become involved, as a result of the way hormone replacement therapy affects trans people physiologically and the fact that many trans youth have not progressed through puberty enough to benefit from sexual dimorphism. I urge the Committee to consider the statements of experts, which support the fact that biological sex is not necessarily a predictor for athletic capacity: I cite the peer-reviewed article “Race Times for Transgender Athletes” by Joanna Harper and the Expert Declaration of Joshua D. Safer in the case Hecox v. Little in the Idaho District Court in particular; I have attached both of them for your review (the documents have been combined into one PDF for submission).
Re: HB1387 & HB1399. These bills promise to do irreparable harm to transgender youth across the state of Virginia, denying them safe, affirming access to intramural, club, and collegiate sports. While the bills' language does not explicitly mention transgender students, by defining and explicitly separating students on antiquated and oversimplified notions of biology and sex, the bills impact not those who align those notions, but rather stigmatizes, alienates, and denies equal access to those whose identities do not align with sexual binaries. Transgender athletes are a minority who pose no threat to their cisgender peers; instead the exact opposite occurs, as trans students are systematically and individually targeted by other people. As with any other student and athlete, we seek to play sports without having our identities threatened and pathologized by the state. Equal access does not stop at biological sex- for trans athletes to participate as our full selves, we must be allowed to play with the gender we identify with, not with the sex the state has imposed upon us. Transgender athletes DESERVE to participate with their peers, and reap the benefits of sports in public education.
I am strongly opposed to gender segregate youth sports and athletics clubs. Whether girls want to play on boys teams or transgendered students want to play on the sport group that aligns with their preferred gender. Please let us move forward as a society and not continue to go backwards due to fear and misinformation!
These bills are nothing but transphobic bigotry wrapped in the guise of “protecting women’s sports.” There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that trans athletes have a competitive advantage over their cisgender competitors. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357259/ ) The only purpose they serve is to drive vulnerable trans youth out of public life, while pandering to the right-wing hate mob. I urge all delegates - particularly those who claim to be “pro-life” - to listen to the science and oppose these harmful bills.
Thank you for keeping our sports safe and fair, by continuing designated teams, based on your birth gender. I have a daughter is the goalie for women’s lacrosse. She made the JV team as an eighth grader. She was getting changed in the high school dressing rooms, and traveling alone on school buses with her female lacrosse team all over the Northern Virginia area. I wouldn’t have felt safe, knowing that there were biological males, choosing to identify as a female on her team, traveling and changing with her. I also wouldn’t feel comfortable having those same athletes shoot against her. At the end of every game, she already has many bruises from defending the goal against these high school young ladies. I can only imagine what the bruises would look like trying to defend from a 6 foot biological male, who chooses to identify as a female and use their full strength to hit the ball against her. Similarly, I have a son in middle school, who also plays sports and would not feel comfortable having biological females on his team, traveling with him. Nor would I like to see him being able to compete with biological women on a female team. Thank you for designating the teams as all female/all male/coed, giving everyone an option.
Requiring students to pass a genital check before participating in any sport is a violation of privacy. Yearly general pediactric examinations do not already include genital inspections, nor do they examine secondary sex characteristics, such as breasts. This bill would require students to either visit a practitioner who conducts these tests, or require general pediatricians to perform atypical tests that unnecessarily violate a student’s privacy.
Banning a specific group of people based on their gender is discrimination. The mere thought of having the audacity to enact such a bill is absolutely disgusting, and it is humiliating that laws like this are even being discussed in a country like the US. This is a country that was founded on differences in belief, ideals, and backgrounds with the purpose for a freedom of expression. Refuge to those who are in need and those of diversity, is encouraged not demolished. Equality, rights, and independence is the basis of who we are. Just as the state has no interlude to the ideals of the church, the state should hold no opposition to the identities of its own people and how these people choose to participate in organizations specifically developed for wellbeing and team-building. A sport organization should be able to decide for themselves who they want in their team. Proposing a law such as this is authoritarian and against the very nature of why this nation exists.
Please vote to defeat bills HB 1387 and HB 1399. Youth and young adults learn a lot of important lessons in sports: sportsmanship, leadership, confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, and what it means to be part of a team. All students deserve access to this kind of enrichment and growth. Transgender students want the opportunity to play sports for the same reason other students do: to be a part of a team where they feel like they belong. We shouldn’t discriminate against young people and ban them from playing sports with their friends just because they’re transgender. Appropriate locally based procedures already exist to manage the very few instances statewide of transgender students seeking to participate. There is simply no purpose to statewide legislation to address a circumstance that is already being handled in the few cases that exist. The mere introduction of these bills has a negative impact on our community. Please support transgender and nonbinary students by rejecting these bills that would take away their right to an equal and unencumbered educational experience.
Trans youth have a right to participate in sports just like everybody else. Allowing students to play on teams that align with their gender identity will simply even the playing field for both boys and girls. The range of body types will widen and it will all balance itself out. Frankly, it is shameful that this is even an issue on the table.
This is complete nonsense. Transgender athletes deserve to compete. As a transgender person and a parent of a transgender child I am so disgusted by this. We always say we're a free country and shit like this makes that the biggest lie I've ever heard. You are ruining transgender lives, treating us like we either don't matter or we're freaks.
The cruelty is the point. So they tell me. When my parents immigrated to Virginia, they had to catch up to a system that irrationally targeted them on the basis of their melanin. On some level we'd managed to figure out the irrationality of that. Or maybe we'd moved it to other groups. With slurs. Media portrayal. Conspiratorial perceptions. The "gay agenda" if you will. It's been three decades since my parents moved here and we've moved onto a new target. Why? I'm not exactly sure. All I know is it's impossible to legislate people out of existence. Everytime we try it ends with suffering and a inability to atone. The kids are the scapegoat. The kids are taught to hate themselves. Because the cruelty is the point. And maybe, maybe it shouldn't be. tl;dr let the kids play ball
I opposed to these two Bills!
I oppose these transgender athlete bans because sports participation is about so much more than winning. These bans will effectively prohibit transgender students from ever being part of a team and a school community based only on their identity. And so much more goes into athletic performance anyway than only your biological makeup: access to elite coaches and teams, nutritionists, time and transportation to practice, inner motivation and determination, mental grit, even networking connections that might get you on a team or seen by a college coach, all make a difference. Boiling down participation on a sports team at any level simply based on biology at birth will not level the playing field. It discriminates against transgender athletes simply because of who they are. Please vote no on these bills.
Banning a specific group of people based on their gender is discrimination. The mere thought of having the audacity to enact such a bill is absolutely disgusting, and it is humiliating that laws like this are even being discussed in a country like the US, a country that is supposed to represent a refuge to those who are in need, a country that was supposed to be a place where diversity is encouraged not demolished, a country that was built on the proposition that all people are equal and their equal rights should not be infringed. On top of that. It is not the state's business to decide who gets to participate in organized sports. A sport organization should be able to decide for themselves who they want in their team. Proposing a law such as this is authoritarian, against the very nature of why this nation is founded.
Comments Document
OPPPOSE HB 1387 and HB1399 Please see the document below with a personal story about a student athlete in Henrico County Public Schools. Thank you, Shannon McKay
Bills like this have been directly linked to an increased suicide rate among these children, who aren't hurting anyone. Please ask yourself: is that really worth it, does that sound like an equitable trade to you? Transgender students have been participating in Virginia sports with NO issues for years and years. Of all the things our legislature could be doing to address the state of Virginia right now such as education, gun violence, economic stability, infrastructure, etc it fills me with anger to see that any of my money is going towards trying to make sure a few kids cant play U10 soccer. This bill is blatant discrimination, its hateful, and goes against the recommendation of every major medical organization. Every child in Virginia should have access to sports, this bill is a violation of their rights and major government overreach. Land of the free? OPPOSE THIS BILL.
Being trans should not exclude students/children from participating in school sanctioned sports. You are taking someone who is already vulnerable to exclusion by their peers and further excluding them with law. This is an opportunity for all students to participate in team building, getting exercise, and being apart of a community and it would be incredibly cruel to use the power of the law to forbid them from doing so should they wish.
I urge the committee to vote NO on HB 1387 and HB 1399. Both bills seek to ban transgender students from participating in sports as their genuine selves. They go far beyond banning students from being on teams that compete against other schools. They ban transgender students from participating in any sport at any level—including clubs and intramurals. They ban schools from competing against other schools and clubs that don’t have similar bans. And they include vague “bounty” provisions that encourage legal action against any club, any school, and anyone who doesn’t go along with these bans. These provisions aren’t just for K-12 schools. They also apply to Virginia’s public universities. Universities would suddenly be in the business of checking the birth certificates of everyone signing up to play in the women’s intramural softball league or join the men’s rugby club. Our universities would also be banned from competing against private universities that also don’t have similar bans, wreaking havoc on schedules and participating in tournaments. These draconian bans are purported solutions in search of a problem. The Virginia High School League and the NCAA already have policies in place for transgender students to compete in sports. Those policies work. And as a practical matter, transgender student athletes are literally not a problem. About 75,000 girls play on high school sports teams in Virginia and are under no threat from the 9 transgender students who applied for VHSL approval to play. More fundamentally, these bills tell transgender children and young adults that they do not matter. That they are a threat. That they are a problem. That they do not belong. That they do not deserve the opportunity to participate in sports—at any level—with their friends. We should encourage children and young adults to participate in sports, not ban them. Please vote NO on HB 1387 and HB 1399 and instead spend your valuable time focused on the legitimate problems and challenges facing higher education in Virginia.
My name is L.F. Brown and I write in OPPOSITION to House Bill 1387 (Greenhalgh) and House Bill 1399 (March) as both bills infringe on the rights of SUPPORTIVE PARENTS, as well as, gender expansive, non-binary, and transgender students who seek to participate on K-12 and college level sports teams that align with their gender identity. Every school district in Virginia allows for student participation in ALL clubs within the structure of the school environment. Singling out transgender athletes in such a ban would negatively impact the shared excitement and camaraderie experienced being a part of a team. Team sports provide an opportunity to develop leadership skills, self-discipline, in addition to the important life lesson of resilience following team defeat. Notedly, the policies of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) ensure a level playing field for all students. These established processes have operated for many years without challenge. In my opinion, House Bill 1387 (Greenhalgh) and House Bill 1399 (March) serve as a solution in search of a problem. I strongly OPPOSE these bills.
I OPPOSE HB1399 and HB1387 for so many reasons including that it goes against NCAA and VHSL standards. In a time, where children are struggling with anxiety, depression along with childhood obesity, I can't see taking sports away is going to help any of that, especially from any child in k-12. All children deserve to play sports on a team that makes them feel safe and accepted. Forcing a transgender child play on a team of the opposite sex not only doesn't affirm them as their true selves, but it puts them in harms way and outs them to their peers. In the last 6 years the VYSL has only had 26 variance requests. This year there was maybe 4 requests for a trans athlete to play sports, we aren't talking about a problem, you're creating a problem by banning them from sports. Don't create a problem when their isn't one. Focus on a legacy that includes accepting all students regardless of their gender identity, not their worth as a political pawn for your career. Again, I oppose HB1387 and HB1399!
We oppose these bills. These bills would ban trans athletes from playing on the school sports teams that align with their gender identity, effectively banning them from school sports entirely. This can have serious long-term negative impacts on these students’ health, education, and well-being. Thank you for your service to our Commonwealth and for the opportunity to provide feedback.
I writing to ask you to vote no on HB 1387 and 1399 - banning trans kids from participating in sports. My question to you is this - why do we have sports in schools? There is a lot of research on how sports help build key life skills for kids as well as improve their physical health. We also have sports to promote values of teamwork, perseverance, and ethical behavior in competition. Engagement in sports has been shown to improve self esteem, focus, and executive functioning skills. Sports programs in public education are NOT supposed to be farm schools for professional sports or scholarship programs to get into colleges. While we know that is a common feature of our schools, we need to keep those considerations out of decisions on who gets to play. In fact, excluding trans Virginia students violates the very values those programs are designed to promote. If the concern is "fairness" - remember that - unlike professional sports - Virginia has an obligation to educate and support ALL kids - yes, even the trans ones - in the Commonwealth. ALL kids in our school system are supposed to be welcome to engage in sports. And ranges of skills and body types are inherent in sports at this age. Teams may be made up of a 120lb 5 foot tall kid who hasn't hit puberty yet and the 6ft tall, 200lb kid who hit it early, even when they both have the same sex. Coaches work hard to make sure everyone is able to play safely together. In addition, these bills reinforce false beliefs that all boys are *always* better at sports than all girls, and the reason girls need their own teams is because they cannot compete with boys. These false beliefs are why these bills do not ban trans boys from boys teams, and only bans trans girls from girls teams, regardless of whether those trans girls have gone through male puberty, been on blockers, or have started HRT. This false belief in male superiority in sports is not even true with fully grown adults in professional sports, let alone in middle or high school. In addition, professional sports organizations have existing regulations and standards for trans athletes already, most of which allow trans athletes to compete if they meet specific criteria. This proposed law does not even follow the example of these organizations who determine who competes at the highest levels! Finally, where is the evidence of *actual* harm from allowing trans girls to participate in girls sports? Where are the injuries or lost scholarships? Feeling icky about trans people does not count as actual harm. And if you cannot provide *actual examples of harm*, why are you trying to pass this law? You have an obligation to protect and support ALL students in Virginia - including the trans kids. Vote no on these bills.
I am writing to ask the committee to pass this anti-trans bill by indefinitely because it is harmful to the students competing in intramural sports regardless of gender. I am a bisexual cis gendered woman and play collegiate rugby. There I have found more love and community than anywhere else in my love from both the men’s and women’s teams. My entire freshman year we couldn’t afford a women’s coach so we had to practice together as one club which wouldn’t have been possible had this uptick in public political transphobia begun a few years earlier. So, I ask that now you reject this bill in order to provide more young people with the opportunities that I had.
I am writing in opposition to HB1387 (Greenhalgh) and HB1399 (March), which would ban transgender children and young adults from competing on school athletics teams that align with their identified gender. These bills are solutions in search of a problem. Transgender athletes are not, as their adversaries would claim, destroying girls' and women's athletics. Trans athletes are actually underrepresented in athletics in general, and are particularly underrepresented on medals platforms - in either men's or women's divisions. The notorious "winning" trans female athletes are rare, and there is no indication they will become any less rare. I am not aware of are any competitive trans athletes in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Lawmakers traditionally do not enact legislation unless there is a demonstrated need or issue. In this case, no such need or issue exists. All that exists is a moral panic relating to a few athletes in other parts of the country, the most notorious of whom are no longer involved in competitive athletics. What these bills actually do is to stigmatize and "other" members of the transgender community, tarring them as cheaters and reducing transgenderism to nothing more than an excuse to cheat. The notion is patently ridiculous that anyone would profess membership in such a ruthlessly oppressed minority in order to win at athletics. There are much, much easier ways for athletes to be competitive that do not involve the innumerable deep sacrifices and personal costs one must endure to transition to the non-birth gender - namely training. Finally, these bills aren't just about transgender athletes. They impact the entire transgender community by vilifying its people, inducing and reinforcing moral panic against them, and carving out a slippery slope by which other civil rights may be eroded away. These bills are a way of eroding transgender dignity. They are a way of punishing transgender people for being different. And they are a way of telling them that they are not welcome to participate fully in society. America is the so-called "Land of Opportunity," and yet we seek daily to deprive many of our people of opportunity. A "level playing field" first requires all athletes should be allowed simply to step onto the field. These bills give different rights to different classes of people, and that's simply un-American. I urge the subcommittee to oppose HB1387 and HB1399.
Regardless of where you stand on gender politics, trans kids are still just kids. They are beloved children, friends, classmates - and teammates. Every student deserves the opportunity to find a space where they feel they belong and participate in an after-school activity that they find meaningful. Why would we deprive young people of the opportunity to find a space where they can flourish and live up to their fullest potential? Sports teams can provide a young person with a support system, collaboration skills, discipline, and long-lasting life lessons. Are we going to rob students of this valuable opportunity simply because we do not understand the way they dress or the pronouns they use? Individual expression and non-discrimination are values we hold onto dearly, but do these values not apply to trans students? Every student deserves the opportunity to participate in enriching activities that help them to build a happy, healthy life.
I am writing to urge you and, if necessary, beg you to not ban transgender kids in k-12 from participating in sports and in club sports for older kids. Sports is an outlet they desperately need for their health and mental well being. There is little to no evidence of their participation limiting non trans kids from participating. It has been our experience that people encourage and welcome trans kids to be part of teams. Furthermore, everyone learns and benefits and becomes more compassionate humans because of it. Thank you for reading and seriously considering my comments and experiences. A. Cahill Amanda
Transgender youth and adults deserve the the same rights to participate in sports and other activities as cisgender youth and adults.
Women's sports are more than just athletics: they boost confidence and teach working with others, especially women. It's unfair and discouraging to women to see podium spots go to males they're competing against. Women's divisions must be kept female to be kept fair.
I strongly oppose both proposed bills. Trans athletes deserve to be able to participate in any college sport of their choosing, if the team aligns with their declared gender identity. Sports teams are already not particularly inclusive places where locker room language often stops LGBTQ+ folks from taking part in team sports, let's allow this to be a team or school decision not enforce a ban statwide - republican beliefs should support the stance of delegating this choice to teams.
Female sports were created by women to give women and girls a fair and safe way to participate and compete in athletics. Men and boys are not better or more skilled athletes; however, the differences between male and female bodies put them on a different playing field than women and girls. Allowing male athletes to identify as female will force women and girls out of our own sports. It also puts women and girls at serious risk of injury in contact sports. Male can never become female or vice versa. Women are not small men or men with low testosterone. We are fully embodied beings. Our female bodies are powerful and have unique strengths and needs. This is plainly obvious in sports.
Comments Document
OPPOSITION for HB 1387, a bill to deny participation in public school athletics activities to transgender students
Its unbelievable that there is now a need to BEG legislators to recognize what a Boy or Girl in fact is in reality. The SICKO special interests which controls the atmosphere as well as the democrat party are disgustingly responsible for funding a socially constructed perverted CULT which knowingly intends HARMS purposely using MINORS as BAIT. Every one of you should’ve taken a stand against Stripping Female rights to safety, privacy, dignity and language while nothing but total dishonesty has fueled self hatred amongst Children to the point kids are now being branded with sex habit/fetish labels in effort of spreading a fashion that seeks to disqualify actual birth rights while drugging them into the delusion that it’s their choice to sterilize, mutilate and misrepresent the reality that personality and outfit choice do not determine male or female !! It’s very obvious who is sincere and who lies at ANY cost knowingly !!!!
Sports must be separated on the basis of sex for the protection and empowerment of young women.
Article 7 of the Declaration on Women's Sex-Based Rights states that "women have a right to the same opportunities as men to participate actively in sports and physical education." This statement is consistent with Article 10 (g) of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as well as with the Title IX Education Amendments of 1972. In accordance with these principles, I urge you to vote in support of this bill. It would prevent the incursion of males who claim to be women into female sports. These males tend to go on to outperform actual female athletes; you may remember this notably occurring in the case of the swimmer Will "Lia" Thomas. This bill would prevent such unfair mockeries of athletics and ensure integrity in women's sports. Vote YES to HB 1387!
I support HB 1387. Please vote yes for common sense and biological reality. We have single sex sports for a reason. Women and girls have the right to fair competition. Allowing males to compete as females against females is ridiculous not to mention unsafe. Imagine how daunting it must be for a female athlete to spend so much time training only to be forced to compete against a male, knowing you don’t stand a chance. I can’t help but think anyone who would vote no to this bill must really not care about women and girls and has zero respect for women and girls boundaries. Please vote yes to HB 1387. Vote yes if you respect women and girls rights, privacy and safety. Only a fool or a misogynist would vote no.
This bill would clarify Virginia school sports as being segregated by sex. Why does this matter? Because, physiologically, male and female bodies are very different. In relation to their bodies, males have larger individual muscle fibers than women, making them capable of greater absolute force production. They also have proportionally larger lungs and greater lung volume, allowing their muscles to access more oxygen. On average, a male has 12% more red blood cells than a woman. Because of the structure of the pelvis and subsequent angle of the femur, there's more gravitational pressure on women's knees, which makes them more susceptible to ACL and other knee injuries. The list of physiological differences between men and women goes on, but the point is that male and female bodies are structurally different at all levels. These differences give males a categorical advantage in athletic competitions. This advantage is not erased when a man says he "feels" like a woman. This feeling is not observable. Only the material body is. Women and girls have the right to athletic competitions that they actually have a shot at winning. Allowing males to take women's spots on the basis of an alleged "feeling" is unfair, demoralizing, misogynistic, and a denial of material reality that is frankly delusional. Women across all political parties (I'm a Democrat myself) urge all the subcommittee members to vote YES to Bill 1387, and help protect the fairness and integrity of athletics across the state.
Sports are separated by sex because men's bodies have physical advantages over women of similar fitness and age. Men, regardless of their levels of testosterone or estrogen retain these physical advantages which includes more fast-twitch muscles, lower body fat ratios, larger lungs and hearts, slimmer pelvis, height, weight, muscle mass, body fat, skeletal structure and aerobic capacity. As a group, women do not run, jump or swim as fast as men. Women are also more prone to certain types of athletic injuries from men when competing against them in contact sports. Concussions in particular have higher potential for brain damage in women because of our skull thickness. Any boy or man who takes a spot from a woman, even if that spot is the lowest ranked on the team, means a cascade of discrimination, starting with that one woman he bumped off to the woman below her, below her, etc. We need to base sports separations on sex, not subjective sense of gender identity (which is not measurable nor an objective material state). Sex is simply defined as male or female. There is no third sex, no third gamete. Please respect the science and don't let male bodies discriminate against females.
Sports are separated by sex because men's bodies have physical advantages over women of similar fitness and age. Men, regardless of their levels of testosterone or estrogen retain these physical advantages which includes more fast-twitch muscles, lower body fat ratios, larger lungs and hearts, slimmer pelvis, height, weight, muscle mass, body fat, skeletal structure and aerobic capacity. As a group, women do not run, jump or swim as fast as men. Women are also more prone to certain types of athletic injuries from men when competing against them in contact sports. Concussions in particular have higher potential for brain damage in women because of our skull thickness. Any boy or man who takes a spot from a woman, even if that spot is the lowest ranked on the team, means a cascade of discrimination, starting with that one woman he bumped off to the woman below her, below her, etc. We need to base sports separations on sex, not subjective sense of gender identity (which is not measurable nor an objective material state). Sex is simply defined as male or female. There is no third sex, no third gamete. Please respect the science and don't let male bodies discriminate against females.
This bill protects female sports and indemnifies institutions which do the same. I support female athletes. Please end the insanity of biological men athletically competing with women and support it too!
Commenting as a mother of four sons who’ve been schooled in Hanover County K-12, the youngest now at Maggie Walker, addressing these three bills with common sense and zero fear of the “woke” and “cancel” crowds: HB1379: absolutely parents need to have easy access to understand what materials are accessible to children within our schools! There should be no reason our schools would want to hide this information. And parents are right to demand sexually explicit materials be removed. Our children are in school to be nurtured and learn reading, writing, arithmetic, science, technology and the arts. They are not there to be sexualized. HB1387: without a doubt biological sex must determine whether the child is on the boy’s or the girl’s team. As a mother of four boys, all of which played sports - and having previously operated a dance studio with girls from 3-18yrs old - I have years of experience and common sense to know that girls and boys need to be separated for sports due to many reasons including: rate of physical development, general strength, potential strength, and during pre-pubescent and puberty for emotional and hormonal differences. If I had a daughter in high school that was subjected to a male in her team’s locker room or on the court/ field - I’d be livid. No female, especially our youth should be subjected to such a ludicrous situation. Our young ladies (biological females to be specific) need us to provide THEM safe places to learn, grow and develop. If someone wants to “identify” as anything other than their biological sex, they should seek co-ed teams. HB1397: I strongly believe the parents need to be the ones deciding how to manage THEIR children’s health. While I personally support fully-approved, long-standing vaccines such as the polio vaccine, I am against forcing any vaccine simply because the government decides to mandate it. I didn’t have an opinion prior to the COVID-era “emergency approval, skip the longitudinal studies, mandate the vaccine,” followed by areas of the country going down the path of “show your papers” to receive services. Now I have a strong opinion - parents are the ones responsible for their children, not the government.
I support this sensible bill.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I support these bills and they deserve a vote!
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
I am fully in support of women's sports and it starts in school where girls prepare to compete to hopefully get a scholarship or train to be in the Olympics. putting biological boys who want to be girls in girls sports give biological boys an unfair advantage. There are some sports that don't rely on physical strength and If you want those sports to include all genders then make them CO-ED sports and keep the biological genders in separate locker rooms by biological gender.