While HB1508 seems like a step in the right direction towards expanding school choice in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it explicitly excludes children whose parents are already making the sacrifice to send them to private or parochial schools. Access to the potential savings that the bill would enable should not be restricted solely because a family has already chosen to make the sacrifice required to send their children to private or parochial school. School choice is school choice, regardless of when that choice was made. The bill should be amended so that it benefits ALL Virginia students, including those who do not currently attend public schools.

Comments Document

Dear Chairperson Davis and Members of the House Appropriations - Elementary and Secondary Subcommittee: As a Virginia resident, a parent, and State Director for American Atheists, which has more than 1,700 constituents in Virginia, I write in opposition to HB 1508.

We highly support ESA's! Please bring this to Virginia parents and students. This is vital in our success to keep up with other States who have higher Educational ratings than we do. Thank you for helping the children in this great Commonwealth.

Please support HB1508. One's zip code should not determine the quality of one's education. I see Education Success Accounts as being similar to Pell Grants for K-12 education. They can be used at any institution whether public or private.

I fully support HB 1508. Fairfax Public Schools, where all 3 of our children were enrolled, are failing students by bringing academic standards down in the name of equity and by indoctrinating in the Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ, and transgender ideology instead of teaching reading, writing, math, and sciences. That was the reason we took our last son out of the public school and enrolled him in a private school with a price tag of $20,000 a year. Education Savings Account will not only help families like our pay for the alternative education, but will make public schools think twice: should they continue with indoctrination and lose state funds or should they go back to education without indoctrination?

House of delegates committee members: I ask that you oppose HB 1508 as it is simply designed to take resources away from public education. Vouchers are well known to have been used in the attempt to see public education decline. I would respectfully remind all committee members that public education is the only institution that accepts clientele without condition to participate in that institution. Public education is a national security issue and as such should not be open to the whims of anyone who feels their child or constituent somehow can do better. Children do better when parents are involved; schools do better when they are faithfully supported. Public education, on the whole, is and has been consistent with raising the character and literacy of all who enter it. Vouchers are simply a means to lessen public education and eventually deny education through increasing the poverty of each school and lessening the educational standards of all who remain without vouchers. Thank you. Riad Mahayni Chesterfield County,

Support 1508, This bill gives much needed help to families to get the help their children need. It does not have to be used to take a child out of that school, but can be used to get help with tutoring and educational therapies and other resources to help their child succeed according to their individual needs. Help children and parents get the help they need that may not be available in their particular school.

Please oppose HB 1508. Voucher bills are often pitched as providing the opportunity for the economically challenged to access private educational alternatives. However, the private elementary school average tuition cost is $13,073 per year and the private high school average is $16,572 per year. Consequently, voucher programs are not going to result in bringing those programs into reach for many of our fellow citizens. I believe the real intent of voucher programs is to begin a movement away from public education for all and towards a private model of educational delivery. Instead of endeavoring to break a model that is one of the world's few attempts to educate all of its citizens up to the age of higher education, perhaps we should consider how best to commit ourselves to its success. This is our approach for all other public services like defense and public safety. Why then would we consider removing resources from this critical public mission of education to bolster the opportunities of our most well off citizens to the detriment of schools that are already at a disadvantage when confronting present day challenges. I hope that, instead of contributing to this draining of resources for the Commonwealth's schools, you will oppose HB 1508.

ExcelinEd in Action is pleased to support the expansion of educational opportunity for students as contained in HB 1508. Family-directed accounts like the ones created in this legislation empower families with the freedom to pursue the education options best suited to their students' individual needs and aspirations. A child can attend private school and receive speech therapy on the side. Another child can learn math and science online, English and history at home, see a tutor twice a week and save leftover money for future education expenses. With a Success Account, education is no longer “use it or lose it.” Parents, guardians and students decide where the best values are and can direct their child’s funds in the most efficient way. Thank you for your consideration and support.

I fully support Delegate March's bill HB 1396. I believe that all Virginia parents should have the maximum support from the Commonwealth to choose the best education environment for their children -- without regard to the previous year. I have three children. Each is different, as is universally true for all families. Each child has needed different challenges and learning environments to elicit the best outcomes. Each of my children has attended public schools, private schools and has been homeschooled. In my judgment each of those matches was advantageous -- and necessary -- for each child. Fortunately, I was able to afford these options, even though I was continually paying for public schools in the years each child was not using them. Many Virginians cannot do that. Many of their children fail to receive the opportunities in education afforded by true educational choice. That is not fair to them. It is not beneficial to Virginia -- it reduces the calibre of our labor force. Delegate Davis' bill, HB 1508, is less than "half-a-loaf". It restricts which parents and students can participate in the ESA program and it provides only about one-third of the resources given to public school students. Not a good deal. Not acceptable for Virginia.

I support HB1508. We all know that public schools are overcrowded and the student to teacher ratio is terrible. Classes are too big and public-school buildings are beyond capacity. This is the only legislation that addresses overcrowding. Please support this bill.

HB1508 is a watered down version of HB 1396. It should be dumped. Legislators should support HB 1396.

I have no money to send my children to anything but my local failing public school. I would like to have better access and HB 1508 would provide that.

"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

This bill please vote in favor for it would well benefit our children.

This bill please vote in favor for it would well benefit our children.

This bill would allow individuals who are being left behind in society due to financial restrictions to have the ability to access funds for more opportunities for their children. This bill is about empowering people more than anything else. I support this bill and hope it gets passed in this years general assembly. The education system needs a transformation, and this would be a first step.

School funding is limited. We should not support those who choose to attend private schools. Our public school teachers need adequate pay and resources. Keep the funds with our public schools.

Please note that in my opinion it is not the taxpayer's responsibility to financially support students and families NOT attending public schools. Funds are very limited and resources do not need to be taken away from the public schools.

Dear Legislators, I urge you to vote NO on HB1508 and speak out to your fellow subcommittee members with reasons why this bill is a disservice to VA children. Redirecting public school funds to families that choose to send their children to private school increases the opportunity gap for all children in Virginia. The purpose of a public education is for societal gain in addition to the personal gain of the learner. This means it is best for our entire society when we have high quality education, and the funding to ensure it, at the focus of our efforts, rather than allowing funds to be funneled towards private schools where we can not control the quality of education. Additionally, approving this bill would mean there would be less money for public schools. The funding and quality gap caused by this bill would be even wider and have an even harsher impact in southwest Virginia where schools are already under funded due to funding formulas. Thank you for your consideration of these points. Jocelyn Washburn

I strongly oppose HB 1508 Virginia Education Success Account Program. I do not approve of my tax dollars being spent to pay for a private education. I believe in a level playing field. This is an inappropriate use of my tax dollars. Public schools need increased funding, not reduced. Why not sent this bill to vote to the Commonwealth taxpayers? Our tax dollars need to support quality public education. Vouchers remove money from public schools. Public schools are part of our best achievements! This bill diverts funding from public education the money I pay in property taxes. I have not agreed to be taxed so that private schools can be funded. I support public education and am willing to pay my fair share toward the education of our community's children in public schools.

These bills are so important to the family, to our children. Please pass these bills!

To Whom it may Concern, Virginia already ranks at the bottom in per-pupil spending for public education even though it is one of the wealthiest states in the nation in median household income. Virginia already lacks in providing the necessary funds to support the Standards of Quality for education fully. Del. Davis has stated there is a huge need, especially in historically Black communities as an argument to support this bill. As a former educator in Virginia for over 40 years, I am offended by this narrative and see it as a distraction from the real issue. For as long as I can remember, Petersburg Public Schools, along with most school districts, have been sorely underfunded. There is too little evidence to support that vouchers significantly improve student achievement and black students and families are less likely to benefit from said vouchers. I strongly request that you don't support this bill and instead fund public education to its fullest so that ALL students can benefit.

I strongly oppose the Virginia Board of Education supplying pornography to any school system in the state. Those individuals including county, school, superintendents, librarians, school administrator and teachers.must know they are breaking VA State code(s) on the distribution of child pornography . Clearly, it ‘ is against the law, and they must resign and face criminal prosecution.

I oppose this bill! Taxes are meant to support public education. If there is a deficiency in a school or school system, extra resources should be provided. Removing students, and therefore funding, is not the answer. Our tax dollars are for the common good, not for individuals to use outside of the public school system.

Please oppose this bill. Every dollar spent on VESAP would be a dollar not spent on public education. A commitment to public education is a proud American tradition, from Thomas Jefferson to Horace Mann. Please uphold this tradition. You should not be defunding public schools. Public dollars for public schools!

It is our responsibility to use the limited resources (funds) directed toward public education for that purpose. As stewards of the public trust, I ask that you do not support this proposed legislation. I am a parent of four children who were successfully educated in the Montgomery County Public schools K-12. They are productive citizens contributing to the well being of communities in four different states. As a taxpayer, I expect state and local governments to have funding priorities directed to public, not private education. The proposed legislation introduced by Mr. Davis redirects essential funding for public education to individuals making choices to opt out of public education. That is their choice. It is not my obligation to support that choice at the expense of educating students in public schools. Your job is to ensure that educators throughout the Commonwealth are supported and encouraged in their efforts to provide a truthful, quality education for all eligible students. Excellent public education that values diversity and inclusion is essential to attracting and retaining employers to our region. The benefit to all students is access to state of the art resources and dedicated teachers that is insured by consistent, sufficient funding of public education . For those electing home schooling, their choice is personal; the responsibility of educating these children is owned by parents and guardians who likely want minimal accountability and governmental intervention. For families, guardians choosing private school, for whatever reasons, it is their responsibility, not mine or fellow taxpayers, to support that education. I ask that you carefully consider the reasons that this bill has been put forward in the first place. The motivations reside in dissatisfaction with some aspect of public education. Your job is to make public education the best it can be. That goal cannot be attained by reduced funding, which is the bottom line of this proposed legislation.

I don't believe that public school funding should be used for private schools.

I strongly oppose HB 1508 Virginia Education Success Account Program. I do not believe using public education funding to support private schools or homeschooling is an appropriate use of my tax dollars. Public schools need increased funding. Thank you, Susan Morikawa

I strongly oppose HB1508. Tax dollars need to support quality public education, not subsidize those who have the ability to pull their child from public schools (it's not possible for everyone). Vouchers remove money from public schools. When students are segregated into private schools, inevitably the least enfranchised students get left behind at public schools that are even worse off than before.In addition, public education is not just about providing students with the knowledge and skills allowing them to progress and thrive. It is also about preparing them to be active participants in a vibrant democracy. Strong public schools do this.

Comments Document

HB1475- While we would love to see homeschool students participate in activities, Career & Technical Student Organizations, such as SkillsUSA and the Technology Student Association, require specialized training not necessarily available through homeschool instruction. HB 1508- Education Success Accounts seem to take funding from public schools. Comprehensive schools around the state provide students access to career and technical instruction not available through home school means. HB 1695- Students absolutely need the extra support to access career pathways however the language should be inclusive enough to allow for flexibility of position title. As a current district-level work-based learning specialist, the manpower need is great but the positions will look different across districts and possibly even schools as a result of student career interest and labor market data. I have attached the Virginia ACTE Advocacy card for more information on ways to support Career & Technical Education.

It's very clear that individuals bringing bills or commentators haven't spoken to teachers in the schools or principals currently serving students. It's ridiculous that you wouldn't when bringing a bill that will directly impact your voting constituents. Students are important, so are teachers and principals. Please speak with them to appropriately understand what is going on inside schools when you bring policy to the floor.

I have fostered children for over ten years, and the faces of the children and their stories stay in my heart forever. I am also a mother of two teenagers. As a mother and caregiver for youth, I recognize that every child has very different talents. Reflecting on my experiences as a caregiver, I remember two teens I had to stay with me. I knew in my heart that with these teens' trauma, they were not ready to jump into public school yet. If we had this bill in place, I feel that their biological mother and I would have placed the teens in a private school. As for my children, My children are very different from each other. One child thrives in public school, and the other thrives in homeschooling. As a mother, withdrawing my son from public school was one of the most complex decisions. My biggest concern was the lack of education professionals available to implement IEP. Every other day there was a substitute teacher, and my child needed consistency. Today he is being homeschooled, and I can adjust the curriculum to the speed he needs to thrive. This bill needs to become law. EVERY child needs an education tailored to their success.

This Bill will benefit all children from lower income areas, it gives them the opportunity to strive and feel as if they are a part of something better than what they see daily. I'm totally in agreement.

This need to be passed

Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. It is a great equalizer. It hasn’t been fully funded. Instead of diverting funds from our public schools to private entities we need to invest to support the system that educates 90 percent of Commonwealth’s children. Public schools not just provides education but also food, transportation, internet, child care, safety and security. Please say no to bill HB1508!

As the mother of three children with disabilities, I know first hand about how Virginia public school rape our children of a free and appropriate education. I used video recordings of the atrocities against my children to indict the City of Virginia Beach public schools in Virginia Beach and won the freedom of my children. I now advocate for all children to be free of the bondage called Virginia public schools that has historically failed children living in poverty, with disabilities or with melenated skin. This is why I subscribe to the business as usual theory. I know and believe that real change comes when we end the economical stronghold that Virginia's public schools has had for generations; diverting funds and fostering educational neglect. This is why I support HB1508. In fact, I don't think this bill goes far enough to help families pay for school choice. School choice empowers families with funding to meet the unique needs of every child; closing the educational gaps that currently exist in public schools today.

Universal public education is one of the great achievements of our nation. It astounds me that this bill, HB1508, proposes to divert from public education the money I pay in property taxes. I have not agreed to be taxed so that private schools can enrich their bottom line. I support public education and am willing to pay my fair share toward the education of our community's children in public schools. Why public? I vote to elect the school board. I can and have testified at school board meetings. I can see how my financial support is being used and voice objections when I disagree with school policy. I can and have read Standards of Learning and have commented on the revisions. And at a practical level, there are economies of scale when most children attend public school. Moreover, public education is a unifying force in our current divisive society. The SOLs include sorely needed civics education. They cover the STEM skills that have made our country a leader in technology. They include the literature that helps students develop empathy and care what happens to other people, even when they are different. If HB1508 were to pass, I would have no voice in the education of those students that used my taxes to leave public school. I would have no knowledge of what those students were or were not being taught. The people who pay the bills should have oversight of how government money is spent, not just the people who have a special interest in benefiting from this diversion of public school money. I oppose HB1508 and all schemes that take funding from public education to benefit private schools.

I strongly support this bill.

Please pass this bill. As citizens of the common wealth we need the ability to chose excellence for our children’s education. Creating competition always makes things better. This bill is a productive step in the right direction.

HB1508 - I currently have a 6th grader enrolled in private school. I took her out of public school 3 years ago due to the failing system. My wife an I have discussed putting her back in public schools due to the expense. We thought HB1508 would offer assistance and give us stability to keep her in private school. However, this bill excludes us from any benefit unless we place her back in public school for a semester and then put her back in the private school. I can’t image the emotional stress on a 12 year old of changing schools twice in the same year just to qualify for this assistance. That is, assuming the private school still has a spot for her; which is doubtful being most private schools already have a wait list. What a disaster for both the schools and students. This bill does nothing to help this parents who are already sacrificing and struggling to pay tuition. Please make an amendment to the bill to include those already attending private schools and make these benefits available to all children in Virginia.

Please oppose HB1508 that provides for public funds to go to parents to use for private school education for their children; thus reducing public funds for public schools. No fiscal impact information has been provided yet. That is needed before action or vote in this subcommittee. A Program Administrator is required at an undetermined salary -- probably a very high salary given the job description. VERY concerning is what "Education Service Providers" can do: Line 242: Education service providers shall be given MAXIMUM freedom to provide for the educational needs of a qualified student WITHOUT government control. Line 249: No education service provider shall be required to alter its creed, practices, admission policies, or curriculum to receive funds from a savings account pursuant to this article. Those statements are incredibly broad. Thus, there are no standards or limits on how our public dollars would be used. HB1508 would reduce funds available to our public schools, so please oppose the bill.

African American students in Virginia deserve a high quality education environment outside of the singular option the government offers. When you provide Black kids with a rich education of their parents' choice you reduce crime, teen pregnancy, generational poverty, and societal inequities, and we want to see the students in Virginia flourish not languish. Our students deserve to have education freedom. That's why we support HB1508. Black Minds Matter

What private school with quality services charges $6000 a year? Surely not one that provides meals, transportation and health care services. The bill is a boon for those who can already afford to pay the $13,000 to $21,000 yearly tuition at my area's local private school, for example.

Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!

Dear Legislator, While the Youngkin administration is addressing the recent devastating revelation that Virginia’s children have had dramatic loss of academic proficiency over the past five years, thousands and thousands of our children remain in public schools that are not providing a quality education. The learning loss continues as we try to figure out solutions. We need solutions and innovation now!! Forcing children to remain in failing public schools because they live in a certain zip code is a dereliction of our responsibility to our children. We can do better than this. My family and I ask that you support Education Success Accounts and the expansion of the Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit program during this upcoming General Assembly. 2023 is an election year and as you learned two years ago, parents are activated and motivated to see changes. We look forward to seeing you support our family by voting "yes" on Education Savings Accounts and Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credits.

We are in favor of School Choice many children are in failing schools or they have physical or emotional disabilities the school they are assigned to by where they live doesn't meet the childs needs. Children should be able to be in school environments that meet their needs and talents so they can strive to reach their potential. Parents should be allowed to use their tax dollars sent to the government for education to enroll their child in the school of their choice or home school their child proving the best education tailored for their child. As for the argument that is take revenue away from public schools I disagree with less children in Public schools they are still getting the majority of taxpayer revenue while the parent is only getting a portion. Public schools get funding from taxpayers that don't even have children, or their children are grown and no longer in Public school. Public schools would have less children per classroom giving each teacher more time to spend teaching each class, we would not have to build more schools and we could lower costs by cutting back on Administrative staff where the majority of money is spent. Staff that deal with children with disabilities would be less if those children went to schools more equipped to handle that child's needs elevating disruptions in the classroom. The bill is a win/win for all concerned, Please support the bill and pass it out of committee.

This bill allows a public-school student’s parent to use 1/3rd of the student’s per pupil expenditure (PPE) in the form of an Education Savings Account (ESA) to provide their student with a non-public-school education, in accordance with existing state law governing compulsory education. The other 2/3rd of the PPE remains with the public school system to offset impact on teacher salary, cover fixed cost of school operation, and leave approximately 12.5% of the PPE as savings. The savings can be reinvested by the state in the remaining public-school students. HB1508 is a win-win for all stakeholders! It: (1) allows parents to exercise their fundamental right under Virginia Code § 1-240.1 to “make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent's child;” (2) reduces student-to-teacher ratio in the classroom; (3) eliminates the impact of a public school student’s withdrawal on teacher pay and fixed cost of school operation; (4) increases PPE for those students who remain in public school; and (5) delays the need to build new classrooms. Last, the ESA is funded by state money only: no federal funds or local school district funds are used. Kris Allen Policy Director Middle Resolution Policy Network

I full support this bill.

I fully support this bill.

I'm a parent to K-12 children and I fully support HB 1508. Educational Savings Accounts are needed for alternate forms of K-12 education.

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!

The Virginia Education Association opposes HB1726.

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,

The City of Roanoke is a partner in the NW HUB and is supportive of the effort to establish the Goodwill's Excel Center in Roanoke, an adult high school offering opportunities to earn in-demand credentials while earning a diploma.

"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 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

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

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

NA

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

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

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..

Comments Document

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?

Comments Document

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

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

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,

Comments Document

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

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,

Comments Document

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

Comments Document

HB2367

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

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?