Public Comments for 01/17/2023 Education - K-12 Subcommittee
HB1448 - Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal.
I object to the passage of HB12379 and HB1448.Now we are calling books long recognized as classics "sexually explicit." A book should and has been determined by the courts as judged by its all-over content; before demanding that they be removed why not look at all of them and see how many you have read when you were in school? School librarians are trained professionals of literature and should make the decicions on what goes on the shelves. Certainally any parent can have and currently has the right to determine what books their child reads, but no groups of parents should have the right to make this determination for others. The censorship of well recognized literature does nothing to prepare youth for our critical thinking objectives or preparation for civil discussion.
I support parents being informed of sexually explicit materials being in the school library and/or classroom. I also support removing sexually explicit materials from K-12 buildings. Curating AGE-APPROPRIATE materials for K-12 schools is NOT the same as "book banning." If a book is available for purchase at a bookstore, online, or can be reserved at a public library - then it is certainly not "banned." What can we expect next from the far left? How about 50 Shades of Grey for 10th grade English?
I strongly oppose this bill
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
This bill please vote in favor for it would well benefit our children.
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.
Yes, I support HB1448. This bill should be brought up for a vote.
SUPPORT
Chair Avoli and members of the House K-12 Subcommittee, On behalf of Equality Virginia, the Commonwealth's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, I submit the following written comment on bills being heard this morning: - Please oppose HB 1379 (Anderson) and HB 1448 (Orrock). - Please support HB 1592 (Davis) and HB 1733 (VanValkenburg). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Narissa Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director Equality Virginia
We support the following bill: HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 We oppose the following bills: HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. SIncerely, Sue Sargeant and Ron Smith 1318 William Street, Fredbg 22401; Rachel Sargeant 812 Daniel St, Fredbg VA 22401
Re HB 1379 and HB 1448. I am opposed! It is beyond my comprehension that the views of a few could cause the banning of books in a public library. Like so many things in the raising of children, a parent must be responsible for their own families decisions and can not force those views on others in the community. If I don’t think it is safe for my child to ride a bike, it does not allow me to eliminate bikes in my community. HB 1560- I support. it is critical that we support Title IX and its programming and eliminate sexual harassment in schools. Our schools must have processes in place that clearly identify processes and procedures to support all students.
I’m in opposition to 1379 and 1448. I support 1560.
I strongly support this bill.
Please support 1 bill & oppose 3 bills: Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1448
I urge you to vote NO on these bills. These bills are a dangerous precedent, setting a process by which a small group can restrict access to publications based on their belief systems. It’s best to leave these curriculum and library materials availability to the education and library professionals. Rather, let’s focus energy on more compelling deadly concerns like gun safety and gun violence prevention, and substance abuse. That would go further in protecting our children and youth. Thanks for your consideration. Monique Hanis 30+ year Va. resident, raised family, taught youth at church, currently running coach for young girls.
I oppose this bill.
I oppose HB 1448 jSchool districts already have policies and procedures in place for the aquisition and removal of books. There is no need for DOE oversight of this local school district responsibility.
Please SUPPORT HB 1560. Please OPPOSE HB 1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448.
Please oppose these bills aimed at censoring school libraries. School librarians have extensive training. These bills aim to intimidate school librarians and remove diverse learning materials.
HB 1448 - We need model policies. HB1461 - Equitable: all treated the same. HB 1475 - Parents pay for public schools, kids should get the benefit even if homeschooled, no taxation without representation type of idea. HB1657 - Very workable. HB1903 - Local schools have materials split by schools. Have 3 kids in different schools, parents work, this is impossible to keep up with. This will make things easier for parents.
These bills HB1379 and HB1448 amount to banning books. If parents don't want their children exposed to these books they have means to keep these books out of their children's hands. The books on the proposed ban list that I have read actually have significant value for age appropriate readers. I oppose these bills.
I am strongly opposed to these bills!
I oppose this bill.
I strongly oppose this bill, which does not enhance public education
I oppose HB 1448.
Please let common sense and free speech prevail in our schools. Keep these divisive, political influences out of public schools. We need to protect all our students and provide the best education we can to each of them. This culture war mentality has to stop. Keep politics out of it and let teachers teach.
I support HB1560 I oppose the following bills: HB1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448 As a public education teacher and parent I urge you to stop making our public education system do the bidding of what certain individuals and groups believe and just let us teach. You should have education professionals advising these bills who actually work in the schools bc they would tell you that due diligence is always taken in the libraries! Schools should be safe places for students. Let’s focus our attention on the real problems, funding, educator retention, and constant testing! Happy to speak with anyone anytime and anyone is always welcome to my classroom for a real experience of what education is like!
Bill to support HB 1560 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 HB 1434 HB 1448
Before we had bills like these parents and school libraries worked together to ensure that children read the books most appropriate for them. These bills do nothing to foster relationships between school libraries and parents, instead they put those who care about children in adversarial positions. School library catalogs are already available on school websites to any member of the public which makes many of the requirements within these bills redundant. Adding requirements to notify parents every time a book is checked out puts an undue burden on already understaffed schools. These bills do nothing to further education, they do everything to stifle access and the love of reading.
I OPPOSE this bill. Local school boards ales Ft have a system in place for this. Localities should be able to handle this for their citizens.
I oppose this bill. The professionals in our public school libraries should use their training to make these decisions and they do not need layers of government providing oversight. I trust our professionals.
Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. SUPPORT--Will enhance students' mental health and safety, will empower them with knowledge, and will increase their sense of agency HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Puts an undo burden on educational professionals, advances the cause of censorship. HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Makes life more difficult for students and puts undo burden on parents. HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Just another step towards book bans and censorship.
I oppose HB 1448 and HB 1434. Parents can work most effectively by communicating directly with their local schools and do not need these additional restrictions or censorship from Richmond.
✅ Bill I SUPPORT ✅ 👍🏼 HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 ❌ Bills I Oppose ❌ 👎🏼 HB 1379 PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES; CATALOG OF PRINTED AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS, ETC. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1379 👎🏼 HB 1434 STUDENT RECORDS; NAME CHANGE, COURT ORDER REQUIRED. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 👎🏼 HB 1448 PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS; DOE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, MODEL POLICIES, SELECTION AND REMOVAL. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1448 From, Cynthia Mason, retired VBCPS SPED teacher
I oppose this bill because it removes local control over school libraries. Libraries celebrate individual choice. There is no need to censor libraries.
I oppose these 2 bills. I oppose any interference with library offerings, interference with access to materials.
This bill is a red herring. Why can't parents send an email or call the school librarian and have a conversation? School librarians are more than happy to work with parents and flag their student's library account to ensure the materials they're viewing are okay with their parents. Let parents decide what is best for THEIR children. Why should other parents be allowed to dictate what's best for MY child? Have the sponsors of these bad bills ever heard of a smart phone and the internet? That is where kids are seeing developmentally appropriate materials, not their school's library.
I support HB 1560 and oppose HB 1379, strongly oppose HB 1434 and oppose HB 1448. I am the parent of a 7th and an 8th grader at Marshall Middle School in The Plains, VA.
I oppose this bill.
Chair Avoli and members of the K-12 subcommittee, The ACLU of Virginia opposes HB1379 and HB1448. Both bills unnecessarily duplicate the parent notification and review process and/or book removal processes at the school board level. HB1379 would create a substantial burden on school administration and staff to review all print and audio visual materials. It is for these reasons we ask you to oppose HB1379 and HB1448.
I oppose HB 1448 to require that the DOE recommend model policies for the selection and removal of books and audio visual materials from public school libraries.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
I fully support this long overdue bill.
HB1461 - Students; Department of Education to establish uniform system of discipline for disruptive behavior.
Please vote No. Neurotypical kids would have difficulties easily meeting the board criteria,, let alone any child who has a disability impacting control. If it is a nonviolent disruption, that’s the opportunity to teach skills a child will need to be a productive member of society. Otherwise, things will progress and behaviors could become less safe now requiring more money and resources to ensure FAPE is given along with intense behavioral intervention or the state paying for a child to go to a specialized school. Vote No and allow all kids to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
As the mother of two neurodiverse children and a former middle school math and science teacher, high school math teacher, and Grades 7-12 reform school Math Department Chair, this bill will only serve to stigmatize and traumatize children who are, quite simply, doing their best. It was very rare in my years of teaching that I ever encountered students with behavior so severe that they needed to be permanently removed from the setting. A reminder that I worked in a reform school and can still say that. Most especially at the elementary school level where students with Executive Functioning challenges have not yet learned impulse control, this bill seems damning. Parents often do not discover their children’s neurodivergence until upper elementary because it can earlier on be attributed to immaturity or youth. Once they discover these neurodivergencies, there’s no magic switch to be flipped. The hard work begins then. They may try therapy, occupational therapy, homeopathic methods, medication that can cause impulse control help and impulse control challenges, doctors visits, and be put on waitlists for years to get formal testing. They may attempt to get an IEP at school only to have the process blocked or begrudgingly agreed to as only a 504 plan. In the meanwhile, their children have trouble in the classroom not because they want to but because their brains work differently than their peers. Admittedly, this is really challenging for teachers. I have been in that place and have had students who, even at the high school level, have impulse control challenges. But I would never want the student permanently removed from my class. My guess is this bill was created without the input from teachers. Want to know what teachers want? They want a safe place students can go to calm down when they are dysregulated. They want full-time social workers and full-time psychologists on staff who are there to help teach these skills to the kids in the moment, even it is most teachable, when they are feeling dysregulated. They want students with special needs to receive an IEP so they can be taught these social skills, emotional regulation, skills, and life skills to help improve their classroom behavior. I would be interested in seeing the statistics behind students with behavior problems. How many have special needs? ADHD comes to mind. This three strike rule as it stands is discriminatory.
I am horrified by this bill, which essentially criminalizes children with disabilities, who are already subject to disproportionate discipline practices. Please vote NO.
This bill punishes kids for behaviors they can’t control and “others” neurodivergent children, which will result in worse outcomes for them.
This is a lovely way to kick out 3/4 of children from the school system entirely. The only time a bill like this should clear the legislature of the great state of Virginia is if another bill is passed first, to kick out every legislator- one strike and not three- that makes discretionary and arbitrary decisions which interfere with the ability for our public school system to actually educate children. It also stands to reason that we need another bill, to send the sponsors and authors of this bill right back to elementary school. Hopefully, they will behave themselves.
Support
Hi, I'm a teacher in the Virginia public schools (Arlington County) and the aunt of a neurodiverse student in Fairfax County. Please do not vote for this bill. When there is lenience in determining "disruptive behavior" and rigidness in restrictions and punishments, you aren't working with the students, teachers, and families for the best possible outcomes. Research shows that these inflexible punishments allowing for open ended definitions of "disruptive" disproportionately affect neurodiverse students and students of color. It hurts the students we are constantly trying to "help overcome an achievement gap." Instead of looking at trying to fix the students, we need to stop breaking their chances at an education by not creating harmful policies such as this. I am a teacher. I know it is sometimes hard to meet all of my students needs, particularly if one or two or a few or several have high needs. But if I don't have the training or personell to give the child the instruction or instructional environment they need and they are legally entitled to, that's because of lack of resources on the school system's part, not for a failure on the students part. That's not to say there isn't ever a need for discipline. But there has to be every effort to meet the child's needs, and work with the child and family and school to help them do well and be well. It should not be easier to just boot them out of class. That's not how Virginia educators roll. We care about educating our students. Show that you do, too, and vote against this bill. Thank you. Amy E. Langrehr 11136 Forest Edge Dr Reston VA 20190
First: HB 1461: Uniform System of Discipline for Disruptive Behavior -- Standards are important. However, please Vote NO on this bill. More work is needed to define the behaviors that are considered disruptive that would merit 3 strikes and you are out. Equally important, modify the bill to allocate resources ($ and training and staff) to ASSIST needy "disruptive" students and their families (including those with ADHD) rather than EXCLUDING them. Second: HB 1497: Fair Pay -- Please vote YES. It is an embarassment that VA teachers are so poorly compensated.
We oppose House Bill 1461, DoE to establish uniform system of discipline for disruptive behavior. "Disruptive behavior" is often in the eye of the beholder, and, in the Commonwealth of Virginia, disproportionately identifies students of color and/or differently abled as disruptive, enhancing Virginia's nationally recognized infamous school-to-prison pipeline. It is illegal, as it is discriminatory. Stop this nonsense NOW.
I strongly oppose this bill. The vague notion of “disruptive” behavior leaves too much open to interpretation. Students of color and those with disabilities are very likely to be negatively impacted, as they are already targets of increased discipline. This bill will make those disciplinary inequities even worse.
House Bill 1461 would require the Virginia Department of Education to establish a uniform system for disciplining disruptive behavior in class and removing a student from the classroom. For non-violent “disruptive” behavior, the bill would implement a three strikes and you’re out policy. “Disruptive” in this bill is so broadly defined that it is unclear as to what exactly qualifies a child for removal. Each and every parent should ask themselves: “Could my K-12 child’s common behaviors be considered disruptive?” For parents of neuro-diverse children, this bill is our worst nightmare. Underlying neurodivergence, like autism or ADHD, is impulse control, or more specifically, lack-thereof. These children have trouble “self-regulating” and struggle to control their initial responses to certain situations. Any parent of a neurodiverse child can tell you, if a situation isn’t just right or if there is a change to a regular schedule or if for some reason his shirt just “doesn’t feel right,” the odds of an impulsive (read, “disruptive”) response increases. Crying, yelling, ripping paper. He acts first…thinks about consequences later. This isn’t because he doesn’t want to, it is because he isn’t able to. It takes years of practice, therapy, and patience to turn this around. But under HB 1461, he no longer has years. Before he has had a chance to calm down, a task that can take an excruciatingly long time for a kid who has to work twice as hard to overcome his own brain to do so, he’s out. And let’s be clear, “out” in this context will most likely mean “seclusion,” a practice that is traumatizing and creates worse behavior. Before he has reached the end of first grade, he’s been effectively criminalized for something he cannot control yet. Criminalized for being different. Criminalized for being a kindergartner. Parents of neurodiverse children know our kids are different. We know that we are different when we are taking our kids to expensive occupational therapy (usually not covered by insurance) to learn impulse control skills. We know they are different when we are spending hours of our day calling different pharmacies to track down medications that are in short supply. We know they are different when we are trying to navigate the byzantine 504 plan/ IEP process, sometimes begging school administrators to give our kids what they need to thrive in school. We spent nights awake worrying that despite all we do to help, if we even have the time and money to get that help, the world may still be cruel to them. With HB 1461, Delegates Wiley and Fowler are guaranteeing that our kids WILL be singled-out, punished, and excluded based on behaviors that they cannot control.. Not only does this violate the terms of their individualized education plans, but this also violates their right to Free and Appropriate Public Education.
This bill will disproportionately harm black, brown, and disabled students, all of whom are subject to disproportionate disciplinary measures already. As the mother of a neurodivergent child, who sometimes has outbursts when overwhelmed, this kind of bill terrifies me. It makes students like mine LESS and not MORE safe in school. Further it i runs contrary to up to date neuroscience about seclusion and restraint practices. PLEASE if you support thay federal law that all students are entitled to a free and appropriate public education in a least restrictive environment, you HAVE to oppose 1461. I cannot believe we are even discussing this. It’s dehumanizing. I am utterly disgusted with every politician who voted yes in the HOD and I will be heartbroken if it passes the senate. DO BETTER for disabled students.
Vote this bill down! A million times no to giving CHILDREN 3 strikes and they are out of school. It is a child’s job to be a child and that means making mistakes and learning from them. There does need to be consequences but educators should be working on this and not politicians who have proven to us repeatedly that you know nothing about children, education or empathy.
Young children especially those in elementary school and sometimes those going through puberty cannot fully control their behavior. There is a wide range of behaviors that could be considered disruptive by one teacher but not another. Students should not be subjected to a three strike policy for behaviors that are beyond their control and can be called disruptive based on the biases of individual teachers. This bill will permanently harm students who are neurodivergent or for any number of reasons not conforming to a specific teacher's standards for non disruptive behavior.
Vote NO on HB 1461. Children should not be punished or excluded from learning based on behaviors they are unable to control because of their stage of development or an undiagnosed disability.
House Bill 1461 would require the Virginia Department of Education to establish a uniform system for disciplining disruptive behavior in class and removing a student from the classroom. For non-violent “disruptive” behavior, the bill would implement a three strikes and you’re out policy. “Disruptive” in this bill is so broadly defined that it is unclear as to what exactly qualifies a child for removal. Each and every parent should ask themselves: “Could my K-12 child’s common behaviors be considered disruptive?” Please vote NO on HB1461 With HB 1461, Delegates Wiley and Fowler are guaranteeing that our kids WILL be singled-out, punished, and excluded based on behaviors that they cannot control.. Not only does this violate the terms of their individualized education plans, but this also violates their right to Free and Appropriate Public Education. Please vote NO on HB1461 Thank you, Stair Calhoun Fairfax
For non-violent “disruptive” behavior, the bill would implement a three strikes and you’re out policy. “Disruptive” in this bill is so broadly defined that it is unclear as to what exactly qualifies a child for removal. It is open to interpretation and everyone has their own idea of what is too much. This will impact neuro diverse and black adn brown children to the greatest extent. Public school is for all children. Teachers should receive more training, or there should be resources devoted to situations where a child is being disruptive. No child should be "out" for non-violent behavior. Each and every parent should ask themselves: “Could my K-12 child’s common behaviors be considered disruptive?”
Say NO to HB1461! As a parent of a child with ADHD, who already hates going to school because it takes every once of his being to regulate himself during the day, this bill will make it so he has no chance to succeed. These kids are not being disruptive just to be disruptive. Every kid is different and learns differently. We should be supporting an inclusive learning environment - not going back to the days of the 40s and 50s where discipline with a ruler and force was acceptable. It's clear the writers of this bill either don't have kids or don't have kids that would be adversely impacted by this bill. Shame on you for introducing this bill.
I OPPOSE HB1461. As a mom to a son with Autism, ADHD and other issues this scares me. Each child is different and they are not cookie cutters. We need more mental health care in schools NOT this. Please vote no on HB1461/
VOTE NO to HB 1431 Our kids are not "standard;" therefore, you cannot standardize a procedure to deal with discipline, especially when there is clear evidence that discipline standardization will not prevent disruptive behavior, but may push kids who have impulse control issues out of the classroom. Those of us whose children have ADHD know that surprising things can trigger an outburst, and expecting a child whose anxiety has been triggered to "calm down" is about as possible as avoiding an obstacle when you are slipping on ice--it is out of their control and they need space and time to calm down. They also need to learn coping skills over their lifetime of education in public schools, not a three strikes and you are out disciplinary action which will result in increased punishment and exclusion, with no reduction in "disruptive behaviors." It is also clear that some groups will ALWAYS be targeted for discipline no matter their behavior due to race, ethnicity, religion. gender, gender identity, disability, or language. Do not criminalize our kids. Offer them opportunities to learn in a safe environment with well-trained teachers who can support their needs.
As the parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD in second grade in Fairfax County, I write to express my strong opposition to this legislation. At 8 years old, my son comes home each day knowing he is different than the other kids in class. He tries as hard as he can to fit in because he desperately wants to make friends and thrive in his classroom. And I love how inclusive, accepting, and supportive his elementary school is to make that happen. HB 1461 would create uniform standards for discipline of students that includes removal of children from the classroom for "disruptive" behavior. This bill would penalizes students like my son simply for being themselves and trying to fit into a general education classroom. My son is incredibly intelligent and is a so-called "twice-exceptional learner"; a student with neurodevelopment disorders and a high IQ. He needs intellectual stimulation and the opportunity to learn the social communication and emotional regulation skills that are challenging for him. The best place to receive that is in a general education setting. HB 1461 would make it easy to exclude him for being "disruptive", a subjective issue that could be as minor as blurting out answers at inappropriate times or making vocalizing "self-stimulating" noises, a harmless common aspect of autism. Children like my son are not the problem in a classroom. They have just as much right to receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as any other child. This bill would circumvent the legal rights of numerous students and make it easier to discriminate against them rather than to help them. I see that the bill now has a section to create a stakeholder work group on the issue of students with disabilities. That is an unacceptable fig leaf that gives cold comfort to parents like me. The bill would be binding law; the stakeholder work group would be an ex post facto advisory effort with no authority. Rather than punishing students, it would be far more productive to engage students, parents, and teachers about what classrooms need to be successful. Removing students is not the solution; appropriately resourcing and supporting teachers to meet all students' needs is. I strongly oppose this proposal, and urge all Delegates to reject it and protect the rights of students with disabilities like my son.
We appreciate Del. Wiley's desire to support teachers being challenged by disruptive student behavior. VCASE is very concerned still with the substitute that still only focuses on student removal and ignores root causes of behavior and the many prevention strategies that could be employed. We must keep minority students with disabilities out of the class and school removal pipeline, where they are disproportionately punished with removal.
The bill, as presented, shows that its Parton and co-patrons showed no care or even considered the impacts that this will have on students of color and disabilities. Virginia has experienced this "three-strike" rule era. I myself am a product of this; I can tell you from experience that this will have a disparate impact on students of color and students with disabilities with no plan to ensure these students do not fall behind or have a reduced education experience. A bill of this nature must have detailed instructions to the administration, and, frankly, should have a JLARC or other committee study on this matter. This is our commonwealth's most important investment, and our work for our students will impact them throughout the rest of their lives. Additionally, this administration has proved to themselves that they are unwilling and incapable of providing equity within our school system. Virginia remains one of the top 10 states for education in the nation because of our values in equity and social and emotional learning. This bill will further the administration's damage to education and its mission of creating a toxic public K-12 system to push its agenda of private, unregulated school choice programs. Within itself has issues of fair and appropriate education. I urge the committee to pass indefinitely/vote down
As a taxpayer and voter, former school board attorney, and former special educator, I oppose this bill on a number of grounds. The proposal for uniform statewide criteria that require the classroom teacher to perform summary removal of a student who might be regarded as violent, or to perform removal of a student based on three instances of disruptive behavior, is misguided and not based on research-based data. Nor does it advance proper educational objectives or provide for the well-being of the school community. First, Virginia is a commonwealth. The local school board has the legal authority to determine what policies and regulations are to be in effect in its school division, including those to be be followed in its code of student conduct. Model policies and procedures are available from the VSBA, which leaves the discretion to the school boards. Mandates from legislators and bureaucrats in Richmond are not appropriate. Consider this: that it is for the local school division to determine, in consultation with its residents, and its community of families, agencies, and congregations, whether and how it is prepared to meet the needs of the disruptive student once the student has been removed from the program of education that the student is entitled to. There is a greater context within which these decisions must be made, beyond classroom management concerns or available staffing levels on any given day. Consider also: that even the classroom teacher who would be required by this bill to remove the student is not fully protected. The teacher is called upon to make a decision in the heat of the moment, which may later be second-guessed in the calm comforts of a courtroom where a judge or jury decides whether or not the teacher's actions or methods were reasonable. What if the teacher does not remove a student before the violent student causes harm to another student -- is the teacher liable for that? And the teacher's actions may or may not be in compliance with the federal laws based upon protection from discrimination based upon racial or disability or gender equality, which is another potential liability faced by the teacher and the school division under this bill. In conclusion, as legislators, you should steer clear of this bill, and instead focus on providing better supports and training for building administrators and teachers in our public schools who are faced with these situations. Legislators and the VDOE should be funding and making available training and staffing levels that will better address solutions for violence and disruptions in our classrooms, as well as in our school buildings and on our school buses.
Please see attached PDF that outlines why the VA NAACP Education Committee's opposes HB 1461.
I am reaching out today to urge you to OPPOSE HB 1461 on the grounds that it will put our Students with Disabilities and Students of Color at EXTREME Risk. Please take this opportunity to help expand and improve " Keeping All Students Safe Act". When you are sending kids out of the classroom that is considered seclusion and it is now taking us back and not forward. Our family experienced this first hand in 1st grade. I had to hire advocates who knew the laws to get child's needs met at school. A child can't learn if he doesn't feel safe and supported by professionals. Let's provide more education and training to support our Neurodiversity population. They are not broken and do not need to be fixed. They need to accepted and supported! HIS NEEDS WERE NOT BEING MET EMOTIONALLY/SOCIALLY AND HE WAS NOT SAFE! (Fairfax County Schools). Teachers have enough on their plate and should feel safe in a classroom, but not at the expense of children who are helpless and who do not have their needs met by school administrators/ districts! TOP DOWN IS WHERE WE NEED A CHANGE! If families do not have the resources to educate themselves and advocate for their children what happens to them and their future? I have included some resources that explain why we need to STOP this now and get our children/Teachers more support from top down! We know better and should do better!! https://livesinthebalance.org/ " When Kids get secluded they get lost" https://livesinthebalance.org/advocacy/public-awareness/ https://www.nassp.org/top-issues-in-education/position-statements/school-discipline/ Some of these district-level factors include “whether or not schools’ discipline disparities are remedied, conducting careful selection and training of principals, providing support for teacher and leadership training, initiating changes to the school discipline code of conduct, and providing the specific behavioral supports and services that students with disabilities need” (Losen, et al, 2015). https://www.illuminateed.com/blog/2021/02/disproportionality/ According to the American Psychological Association, “exclusionary discipline encompasses any type of school disciplinary action that removes or excludes a student from his or her usual educational setting” (American Psychological Association Services). Several studies (Girvan, E. J. et al, 2017; Monahan K.C. et al, 2014; Welch, K. et al, 2014), including research done by the United States Government Accountability Office, illustrate students of color, boys, and students with disabilities most often experience significant punitive actions such as suspensions and expulsions when compared with their peers. This trend was found across all school types regardless of factors such as overall school poverty and grade level (United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional Requesters, 2018). There is a well-documented link between exclusionary discipline and an increased likelihood to drop out, exhibit delinquent and potentially criminal behavior, and spend time in the corrections system (Balfanz, R. et al, 2014; Monahan K.C. et al, 2014). Research indicates a strong correlation between exclusionary discipline practices and overall academic failure, but many educators cite in-the-moment escalation as the determining factor in selecting a consequence. This leaves little room for more objectively weighing the benefits and drawbacks of disciplinary actions.
HB 1461 oppose see attachment Hb1497 support Hb1507 oppose Hb1731 support HB 1967 support Hb1980 Support Hb1982 support
Please vote NO to VA HB 1461. The bill will have a devastating impact on Black students, students with disabilities, and low-income students, who are many times more likely to be disciplined in school for the same behaviors exhibited by White students. The bill includes vague language and little specific detail regarding what constitutes “violent” and “disruptive” behavior, and frightening requirements that teachers exclude children from the classroom based on these broad assessments. Also troubling was the addition of wording around “hairstyle” as an item for which a child might be excluded from school. Black students across the nation are disciplined for wearing natural hairstyles like dreadlocks and braids. Including this language in the definitions is a dangerous red flag in already dangerous terrain. Research shows that White teachers tend to view Black students as angrier and more aggressive, and to discipline them more harshly and more often than White students. In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) we have a 60% minority population and an 84% White teaching force. Research on discipline disparities and race, and the data for FCPS, which show Black students and students with disabilities disciplined 3-4 times more often than White students, suggest that the proposed HB1461 will have catastrophic impacts on our students. Additionally, we are concerned that this bill prohibits systems from holding teachers accountable for their behaviors toward children if those behaviors, regardless of their nature, are deemed to be “reasonable.” Teacher stress is high; class sizes are growing as staffing shortages increase; students report unhealthy levels of mental/emotional strain. All this, combined with existing biases in discipline for students of color and special education students, requires greater care and accountability of disciplinary actions, not less. Teachers need training and support to assure they are meeting students' needs, while maintaining safe and supportive classrooms. Demanding that teachers institute developmentally inappropriate, pedagogically unsound, and categorically unsuccessful 3-strikes policies does not make classrooms safer or better, but it will almost certainly feed the school-to-prison pipeline and deny countless Black and brown children, boys, and students with disabilities the benefits of a good education. As a citizen of the Commonwealth of Virginia and a parent of a child who has experienced trauma and we need to do better!
My name is Chris Jones, and I represent VASCD. Thank you for allowing me to submit written comments on HB 1461. We oppose this bell because we believe the impact of a universal, one-size-fits-all approach to disruptive behavior would be detrimental to student success, particularly because it would not account for student differences and the circumstances some of our children face. Furthermore, a three-strikes rule would lead to more exclusionary practices, which would exacerbate the learning gaps we see not only with academics but with social and behavioral outcomes as well. Instead, our focus should remain on empowering and trusting our teachers and school leaders to work with families and students, and our energy should shift to providing them the necessary resources and supports needed. We prefer to see student codes of conduct left to the localities for school boards and divisions to work with their communities to identify specific issues and send appropriate resources and supports to better serve our teachers, school leaders, families, and ultimately Virginia's students.
As a mother to a neurodiverse child, this bill would be detrimental to his success in a public school setting by streamlining non-violent offense response. This should be handled at the local school level with the administration and the parents. This is not something that should be streamlined. Kids do not all fit in the same box and there is not a “one magic solution” for all kids and all situations.
My name is Nicole Miller, chapter operations manager for the Autism Society Tidewater Virginia. We strongly opposed HB 1461. Please VOTE NO on HB1461. This bill requires the Department of Education to create a uniform system of discipline for disruptive behavior in schools. Exemptions for disabled students won’t protect those who are not yet diagnosed with a developmental disability. Local school districts should control how they manage students and no one-systemic approach can anticipate the needs of all children. This bill is important to me because my son has Autism Spectrum Disorder level 2, borderline cognitive functioning, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. My son's IEP team has come together when any behavioral challenge came up, and even before he had an IEP, we always came together and found an individualized and adaptive solution that worked for my student, his classmates, and teacher. This bill would eliminate push for collaborative planning and problem solving within the school and home network. Please do not limit options for our administrators, teachers, families, and most importantly our students. Thank you!
HB1461 - This proposal is fair to all. HB1497 - Too expensive, major cities like Chesapeake/VB/Norfolk taxpayers can't afford more taxes to pay teachers. We need to pay for bus drivers. Get rid of 1/2 the administrative bloat, then you would have more $$$ to pay teachers, nurses and bus drivers. HB1507 - This is the main driver of the elections: constitutionally protect parent control. HB1691 - This would help with SRO's and given the fights in schools, is desparately needed. Please move to report. HB1704 - Needed now, given the rapes in LCPS. HB1733 - Not needed, they already can and do this. HB2021 - Always love to see parents provided with information. HB2264 - No more mission creep. Educate the kids: leave the psych stuff to another groups w/that focus. HB2405 - Excellent suggestion!
This bill would be to the detriment of many of our marginalized and disabled students. Please do not allow this bill to stand and subject further harm, within public schools, to the already most vulnerable.
This Bill will cause harm to the children and families in Virginia. Black and Brown children are already singled out in school . We are working on reducing inequality. Do not create more policies that will cause harm to Virginia families. Challenging behaviors should be addressed by mental health professionals not educators. Please vote NO to this bill. Virginia's Black and Brown youth and families deserve better.
The Fairfax County NAACP urges you to vote NO to HB 1461. The bill will have a devastating impact on Black students, students with disabilities, and low income students, who are many times more likely to be disciplined in school for the same behaviors exhibited by White students. The bill includes vague language and little specific detail regarding what constitutes “violent” and “disruptive” behavior, and frightening requirements that teachers exclude children from the classroom based on these broad assessments. Also troubling was the addition of wording around “hairstyle” as an item for which a child might be excluded from school. Black students across the nation are disciplined for wearing natural hairstyles like dreadlocks and braids. Including this language in the definitions is a dangerous red flag in already dangerous terrain. Research shows that White teachers tend to view Black students as angrier and more aggressive, and to discipline them more harshly and more often than White students. In Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) we have a 60% minority population and an 84% White teaching force. Research on discipline disparities and race, and the data for FCPS which show Black students and students with disabilities disciplined 3-4 times more often than White students, suggest that the proposed HB1461 will have catastrophic impacts on our students. Additionally, we are concerned that this bill prohibits systems from holding teachers accountable for their behaviors toward children if those behaviors, regardless of their nature, are deemed to be “reasonable.” Teacher stress is high; class sizes are growing as staffing shortages increase; students report unhealthy levels of mental/emotional strain. All this, combined with existing biases in discipline for students of color and special education students, requires greater care and accountability of disciplinary actions, not less. Teachers need training and support to assure they are meeting students' needs, while maintaining safe and supportive classrooms. Demanding that teachers institute developmentally inappropriate, pedagogically unsound, and categorically unsuccessful 3-strikes policies does not make classrooms safer or better, but it will almost certainly feed the school-to-prison pipeline and deny countless Black and brown children, boys, and students with disabilities the benefits of a good education. We at the Fairfax County NAACP urge you to vote against HB 1461 and we welcome the opportunity to work together to bring outstanding educational opportunities in supportive, nurturing and successful classrooms to every child in Virginia. Sujatha Hampton, Ph.D. 2nd VP/Education Chair Fairfax County NAACP Michelle Leete, President Fairfax County NAACP
The proposed VA HB 1461 is unequivocally ableist and racist. It will disproportionately affect students with disabilities, students of color, male students and students who have experienced trauma. The bill will put Autistic students, those with ADHD, those with communication disorders and others developmental disabilities at great risk. It is well established by multiple studies that students with disabilities, male students and students of color are all disproportionately disciplined by schools. In August 2022, the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights published a report illustrating these disparities. This disproportionate impact is seen across the US and VA. In FCPS students with disabilities and Black students are 3-4 times more likely to be disciplined than their peers. The language of the bill is so vague and subjective as to allow school staff an extremely wide berth in defining both violent and non-violent “disruptive” behavior. This subjectivity will result in inconsistent implementation of this law. Ambiguous wording can be interpreted by adults to justify abusive treatment of complex students with neurological differences and communication disabilities. The law itself flies in the face of expected and healthy child development. It is developmentally appropriate for younger children not to know or understand social rules and developmentally appropriate for tweens teens to rebel against those rules. Part of learning (and schooling) is to teach students expected social behavior and to help students manage and navigate conflict and difficult periods of development. If we immediately punish students harshly and without nuance or exception for expected biological behavior we are literally creating a law that punishes them for behaving appropriately as children. The following quotes illustrate these points: “Abstract reasoning and adolescent rebellion are typical types of adolescent behavior... they are a normal part of psychosocial development.” (“Adolescent Development," from Youth.gov) “...children who are unable to express themselves well may be more likely to have aggressive behavior or temper tantrums.” (“School-age Children Development: Well Child ages 6-12” from Mountsinai.org) “Kids with ADHD have a hard time controlling their impulses and tend to grab things ... They also find it hard to wait their turn and frequently interrupt others. ...When these struggles cause disruptive behavior, it’s often misunderstood as defiance. If your child mostly acts out in school, they could have an undiagnosed learning disorder. They might lash out or refuse to follow directions because they’re frustrated by schoolwork. Or they might be trying to hide their struggles by getting teachers to focus on their behavior instead.” (“Disruptive Behavior: Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed - Tantrums and defiance may mask issues that aren't apparent to teachers and parents” from Childmind.org) Finally, the “3-Strikes” VA HB 1461 is modeled on 3-Strikes crime bills which have been proven to be ineffective in preventing crime and deterring criminals. Our schools need to be safe, and our staff supported, but this bill is actually endangering to children and adults in schools. To endorse this law would do immeasurable damage to our most at-risk students. Sincerely, Diane Cooper-Gould Special Education Advocate
We write to you to share our very strong opposition to Virginia House Bill 1461 - which would require the VA Department of Education to establish a uniform system of discipline for disruptive behavior. Fairfax County SEPTA opposes this bill due to the many results that will occur if it is enacted: Disproportionate class removals for students with disabilities and for Black students, as well as the intersectionality of these two populations Increased learning loss for these students as they are denied access to education Increased school-to-prison pipeline numbers This bill will mandate class removals for subjective interpretations of behavior without addressing the underlying reason for the behavior (and, therefore, not addressing how to change the behavior). It will disproportionately affect students with disabilities and Black students. We strongly oppose this legislation. Education for students with disabilities is federally mandated to be individualized. Every student is unique in their strengths and needs, and every disruptive “behavior” situation has a unique cause. Following best practices,such as Collaborative and Proactive Solutions or Positive Behavioral Interventions, staff do not respond to every disruptive situation in an identical manner. This bill would mandate uniform responses that therefore would not address individual students’ needs nor best practice responses. Per a 2022 report by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, “Students with disabilities are subject to inequitable discipline” and “Black students with disabilities have the highest disproportionality in exclusionary discipline and are more likely to be punished for subjective offenses, like ‘disorderly conduct’.” These student populations already are disproportionately suspended when compared to white and non-disabled peers. Additionally, per this report, Virginia has one of the highest disproportionality rates in the country for referrals to law enforcement. Fairfax County SEPTA (Special Education PTA) represents the over 30,000 FCPS students receiving special education services, the staff and families who support them. Each of these students is an individual, with their own unique story. We are not just numbers on a page.
The proposed VA HB 1461 is unequivocally ableist and racist. It will disproportionately affect students with disabilities, students of color, male students and students who have experienced trauma. The bill will put neurodivergent students at great risk including Autistic students, those with ADHD, those with communication disorders and others with various specific learning and developmental disabilities. In August 2022, the US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights published a report showing students with disabilities, males and Black students are disproportionately disciplined by schools. In Fairfax County, students with disabilities and Black students are 3-4 times more likely to be disciplined than those without disabilities. It may seem “reasonable” on the surface that “violent” disruptive behavior would cause a child to be removed from the classroom, however behaviors as mild as ripping papers, shouting, or throwing a toy have all been deemed “violent” by school staff. The language of the bill is so vague and subjective as to allow school staff an extremely wide berth in defining both violent and non-violent “disruptive” behavior. This subjectivity will result in inconsistent implementation of this law. The law itself flies in the face of expected and healthy child development. Children are EXPECTED to be somewhat disruptive. It is developmentally appropriate for children not to know or understand social rules during early development, and developmentally appropriate for tweens and older teens to rebel against those rules. Part of learning (and schooling) is to teach students expected social behavior and to help students manage and navigate conflict and difficult periods of development. If we punish students harshly and without nuance for expected biological behavior we are creating a law that punishes them for being human and behaving appropriately as children. The following quotes help to illustrate these points: 1. “Abstract reasoning and adolescent rebellion are typical types of adolescent behavior. .. they are a normal part of psychosocial development. ” (“Adolescent Development," from Youth.gov) 2. “... children who are unable to express themselves well may be more likely to have aggressive behavior or temper tantrums.” (“School-age Children Development: Well Child ages 6-12” from Mountsinai.org) 3. “Kids with ADHD have a hard time controlling their impulses and tend to grab things ..They also find it hard to wait their turn and frequently interrupt others. Plus, they have a hard time focusing ...When these struggles cause disruptive behavior, it’s often misunderstood as defiance... If your child mostly acts out in school, they could have an undiagnosed learning disorder. ” (“Disruptive Behavior: Why It’s Often Misdiagnosed - Tantrums and defiance may mask issues that aren't apparent to teachers and parents” from Childmind.org) Finally, the “3-Strikes” VA HB 1461 is modeled on 3-Strikes crime bills which have been proven to be ineffective in preventing crime and deterring criminals. In fact, according to the ACLU, 3-Strikes laws may actually increase the likelihood of violence against those in authority. Diane Cooper-Gould Advocacy Co-Chair, Past President and Co-Founder Fairfax County Special Education PTA Special Education Advocate
Teachers and parents need clear guidance as to how disruptive students are addressed. Teachers have enough to deal with considering the huge class sizes, wide range of learning loss, and behavioral issues. Public school leadership must adequately address this issue and not put this on the shoulders of teachers - who are already stretched too thin. BTW, I support having Resource Officers and metal detectors in all schools. Schools should be as secure as Federal Buildings and politicians' offices.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose 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.
SUPPORT
HB 1448 - We need model policies. HB1461 - Equitable: all treated the same. HB 1475 - Parents pay for public schools, kids should get the benefit even if homeschooled, no taxation without representation type of idea. HB1657 - Very workable. HB1903 - Local schools have materials split by schools. Have 3 kids in different schools, parents work, this is impossible to keep up with. This will make things easier for parents.
I am absolutely opposed to HB1461, which would infringe on local control of school boards to adopt their own policies. Disciplinary guidelines should be drafted and implemented by experts and teachers, not politicians in Richmond.
As a tax payer, I support this bill. Uniform disciplinary standards for students in public ensures all students are treated equally throughout the state. Standards should be set so as to deter such behavior and eliminate such distractions from the classroom. Such actions take away from valuable learning time in the classroom. Teachers and staff should not have to tolerate behaviors that are tolerated at home. They don't get paid enough for that.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
This practice already exists in fairfax county public schools. Or at least it did when I was a student there. It was a disaster. It was discriminatory. Students started seeing me as an easy bully target because of it. I nearly took my own life. We don’t need to pour gasoline on the fire. Please stop this bill now!
• Disruptive behaviors are most often stress responses, that is, they are behaviors that occur in response to a triggering of the brain’s unconscious “threat detection” center. Strss behaviors are not choices, they are not intentional misbehavior. The solution needs to occur before the threat detection center is triggered. • Behavior is a signal. When a child persistently engages in distressed behavior, the adults aren’t understanding the signal. What we should be saying to children exhibiting distress isn’t, “GET OUT”, but rather “What’s wrong?” And “how can we make your pain stop?” • Removing students from classes is purely punitive; it is not corrective or preventative. It may quiet the classroom temporarily, but it increases the stress level of the class. It deprives the struggling child from the opportunity to learn and from the support of the school community. Punishment is not the answer. Increasing the “felt safety” of each child is the answer. This occurs through warm, compassionate relationships. • Three strikes policies fail to support struggling students, they do not address root causes and they do not serve as a deterrent for children in classrooms. Years of experience in the criminal justice system have demonstrated the ineffectiveness of such policies. • This bill is counter to the Governor’s proposal to increase mental health support for students. • Students with disabilities and neurodifferences including ADHD, autism, mental health challenges, and trauma are the most vulnerable, the most likely to have heightened sensitivity of their brains’ threat detection center, and thus the most likely to be negatively impacted by such a law. Exemptions for disabled students won’t protect those who are not yet diagnosed. Since Black children are diagnosed, on average, 3 years later than white children, this would disproportionately impact Black children. Disabilities and known diagnoses are not the only factors that result in high stress and subsequent stress responses. Non disability related factors include poverty, domestic violence, sexual abuse, parents divorcing, and the death of parent/sibling/grandparent. • We know these things now in 2023. We don’t have to resort to drastic strategies that do not work. There are a variety of successful approaches that (1) recognize the signs of stress and reframe the behavior of the child, (2) recognize the source(s) of the stress (3), reduce the stress, (4) help the student learn what it feels like to experience calm, and (5) help the child restore energy – restore their body’s homeostatic processes, so they are able to access the cognitive part of their brain.
Please VOTE NO on HB1461. This bill requires the Department of Education to create a uniform system of discipline for disruptive behavior in schools. Exemptions for disabled students won’t protect those who are not yet diagnosed. Local school districts should control how they manage students and no one-systemic approach can anticipate the needs of all children. This bill revisits the criminalization of behavior that Virginia was beginning to turn away from. Please Vote No on HB1461.
HB1475 - Students who receive home instruction; participation in interscholastic programs, fees.
This is a bill that should be a no brainer. Kids who are homeschooled should have the opportunity to play high school sports. Why deny them this access? The parents of homeschoolers pay county taxes which funds the public school system, by not allowing participation it's unequal treatment. All kids, homeschooled or public schooled will benefit from this bill being passed.
Hi. My name is Jenifer Messer. I am the mother of the 12 year old with Tourette Syndrome whom just left a comment. We were both signed up to speak today but apparently are no longer allowed to. My daughter is currently in 7th grade public school. Like I said, she has Tourette Syndrome. The past school years have been awful for her for the most part. Most people do not understand TS and have no clue how to respectly deal with a child who has it. My daughter is an A & B student, excels in theatre and track & field. She's tries to hide her tics at school but it's getting harder and harder. She has a 504 plan but some of the teachers and staff still punish her for things she can't control so we are now looking at other options for her schooling for 8th - 12th. Being homeschooled via a Virginia University online homeschool program is an option but Virginia doesn't have HB1475 (the Tim Tebow Bill) in place like 31 other states. This is unfortunate because kids like my daughter deserve the right and may need to be homeschooled but will get left out of sports. She needs to run track and field for her mental health. It's a break from Tourette Syndrome. Because she gets left out at school and bullied, her mental health suffers. Please pass this bill and say YES to my daughter being able to be homeschooled and play sports. She deserves this right. If this bill is Not passed, we will most likely leave the Commonwealth and go to Tennessee where she has this option. This is not a red or blue issue. It's a child's mental health issue. VOTE YES for my daughter and others like her. My daughter hopes to get a scholarship to run track in college. She needs this bill to be passed and I know Tim Tebow would approve because he is a champion for kids with disabilities and a champion for homeschooled kids playing sports.
Hi. My name is Laken Thompson and I'm 12 years old. I have Tourette Syndrome and currently attend Auburn Middle School in Montgomery County. I signed up to speak but apparently we aren't allowed to anymore so I'm writing. This bill is very important to me. I run track & field and excel at it, meaning I win. I'm a sprinter and jumper. I plan to leave AMS at the end of the school year because the past 2 years have been terrible. I get bullied and have lost many friends due to my tics. I just feel like my school does not understand my disorder even though I have a 504 plan. My family and I are now looking at other schooling options like homeschooling. Passing the Tim Tebow Bill would allow me to homeschool and still run track. My Tourette Syndrome goes away while I run. So I jerk, scream or do the other tics. Running is freedom for me. Track is incredibly important to me. I hope to get a scholarship for college to run at Liberty University. My tics are currently bad and I deserve the right to be homeschooled if needed but I can't imagine not being able to run track. My question to the Delegates...Why wouldn't you want to help kids like me who need to be homeschooled but want to also play competitive sports? Whether Democrat or Republican, WHY would you say no to this bill? Please think of me and vote YES to the Tim Tebow Bill. I deserve the right to do schooling in a manner I need and to also play sports.
My name is Mike Trost and I live in Loudoun County. So far the excuses I have heard for excluding homeschooled athletes from participating in interscholastic sports programs are pathetic. The idea that public school athletes are held to higher academic standards than homeschooled ones is not only an unproven claim but a false one. As we know, public schools have a long history of padding the grades of athletes so that they could still compete, and we've seen over recent years how academic standards and grading standards have been significantly lowered in the public schools. And yet the Virginia High School League is telling parents that they can't trust them to hold their children to the same academic standards as the public schools do. It's outrageous on its face. Do the right thing--stop excluding homeschooled athletes from competing with their public school peers. Their parents pay local and state taxes that go straight into the public schools' coffers, and yet their children can't even participate in the sports programs that they are helping to fund.
As a public school student in the State of Virginia, I firmly support this bill. Homeschooled students deserve the same opportunities as those in public school, especially VHSL Sports & Academics. Most homeschooled students don't have a choice to go to public school, mainly because their parents won't let them. This bill will allow for students and parents to reach a middle ground and allow the parent to keep their child home, and allow the student to be just like other high schoolers. I applaud Delegate March for introducing this bill and encourage all members of the House K-12 Subcommittee, Education Committee, and full Floor to support this bill.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I 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.
Please give this bill full consideration. Children who are home-schooled deserve an opportunity to participate in interscholastic programs.
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.
HB 1448 - We need model policies. HB1461 - Equitable: all treated the same. HB 1475 - Parents pay for public schools, kids should get the benefit even if homeschooled, no taxation without representation type of idea. HB1657 - Very workable. HB1903 - Local schools have materials split by schools. Have 3 kids in different schools, parents work, this is impossible to keep up with. This will make things easier for parents.
I oppose HB1475. This bill comes along every year and every year it is rejected for the same reasons: it is unfair to make students who attend public school every day to have to compete against students who don't.
Homeschooled students should be allowed to participate in public school activities provided they meet reasonable criteria. Taxpayer dollars fund public schools whether we have children attending school or not. If we are promoting inclusion, this is one step towards that goal.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1508 - Virginia Education Success Account Program; established, report.
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.
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.
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.
HB1556 - K-9 Detection Teams; permitted in public 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 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.
HB: 1556 k-9 detection team setting dogs loos on children, studies show that dogs can attack when they sense fear (walking dog behavior.com) (BCA animal hospital) . $50,000.00+ price tag! And this doesn’t include housing food. Not included in the cost is the direct cost of the trainer and law enforce t personal. Where will the funding come from?! The children will become scapegoats, unwarranted CPS cases, what schools will be targeted. Canines can be trained to be anti black (the Marshall project june 23, 2021. This brings an uncomfortable sense of Birmingham, Alabama. A VAST amount of students would benefit from mentors rather than a K-9 unit. As Chesterfield county has the MEGA MENTORS PROGRAM which has been successful. thus will be helpful to allow parents into schools rather than K-9 units HB 1695: Public high school Career Coach the following amendments should be implemented to this Bill. there should be no less than 3 staffed job coaches, collaboration with parents , school counselors, SPED COORDINATORS , apart of the IEP team, expanded to 7th grade, HB1696: teacher lunch : in order for myself to support this bill these are the questions I have. where will the additional staff be obtained while the teachers take their breaks? Has the teacher shown that they have provided direct substantive support to their students/families , attended and provided support during iep meetings. HB 1733 I do not support this bill the student shall be allowed to speak by simply providing their first and last name, grade and school name. Either verbally and or writing their name on the sign up sheet. (Assistance shall be provided by parent or caregiver) ( if needed.) the student may not have access to signing up online.
I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote.
I am wholly opposed to HB1556, a reckless bill that would do nothing actually to secure school buildings. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to allow for K-9 detection teams in schools and their very presence would create a climate of fear instead of an atmosphere of learning and imagination. Overpolicing of schools also has disproportionate impacts on Black and Brown students and students with disabilities. If leaders in Richmond were serious about improving school safety, they would do something about gun storage in homes where a minor is present, to address the rising tide of gun violence in Virginia. That would be a real solution to a real problem. But instead, this subcommittee is taking up half-thought-out measures that would merely put the fox in the henhouse instead of solving the real issue.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1560 - High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules.
As a student, I fully support this bill.
As a student, I fully support this bill.
I strongly support this bill
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I 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.
SUPPORT :
Oppose : A reporting system outside the Department of Education to the people needs to be add.
We support the following bill: HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 We oppose the following bills: HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. SIncerely, Sue Sargeant and Ron Smith 1318 William Street, Fredbg 22401; Rachel Sargeant 812 Daniel St, Fredbg VA 22401
Re HB 1379 and HB 1448. I am opposed! It is beyond my comprehension that the views of a few could cause the banning of books in a public library. Like so many things in the raising of children, a parent must be responsible for their own families decisions and can not force those views on others in the community. If I don’t think it is safe for my child to ride a bike, it does not allow me to eliminate bikes in my community. HB 1560- I support. it is critical that we support Title IX and its programming and eliminate sexual harassment in schools. Our schools must have processes in place that clearly identify processes and procedures to support all students.
I’m in opposition to 1379 and 1448. I support 1560.
The Pride Liberation Project is a student-led LGBTQIA+ advocacy group based in Virginia. We strongly encourage the K-12 subcommittee to vote for HB 1560, HB 1657, and HB 1733. Sourcing for all claims is included in the attatched PDFs. HB 1560 would direct the Department of Education to develop trauma-informed and age-appropriate modules that inform high school students on Title IX protections, consent, and sexual harassment prevention. School districts would be required to implement these modules within the first 31 days of the school year, and a strong parental opt-out clause is included. Our support for HB 1560 is rooted in pervasiveness of sexual harassment in our Commonwealth. According to the American Association of University Women, nearly half of secondary schools students reported facing sexual harassment. Similarly, the Virginia Secondary School Climate Survey found that 51% of girls and 29% of boys reported at least one form of sexual harassment in the past 12 months. Unfortunately, the crisis is compounded by a lack of awareness around Title IX protections and reporting procedures. Unlike colleges, who often require their students to complete sexual harassment modules, students in high schools learn little to no information on sexual harassment reporting options. While it is difficult to quantify the scope of this issue, polling from the Washington Post has suggested that two-thirds of people say they know “not much” or “nothing at all” about Title IX protections. The lack of awareness around Title IX harms students: school employees may be more hostile in cases of sexual harassment compared to professional Title IX coordinators, and school systems have chronically underreported sexual harassment. While FLE does sometimes cover these issues, the primary focus of FLE is on abstinence and healthy relationships, rather than Title IX protections and reporting options. Moreover, FLE curricula occur later in the year. Consequently, while HB 1560 would not end sexual harassment, it would nonetheless represent an improvement on our current legal system by ensuring all students can appropriately understand their legal protections and reporting options.
Letting students be aware of the opportunities they are given to become involved in the school board meetings will empower students not only this generation but the next generation about the impact they have to change and speak about decisions that will change the school experience for this generation and each that follow it. Additionally, it would allow more students to get involved and become educated about what happens in the school board meetings. Hopefully this would bring more power to students instead of letting people who are not currently in high school, govern what changes occurs for those in high school. The sexual harassment prevention training module will warn the predators, teachers, administrators, and principals who are allowing sexual-harassment to continue among the student body of what they are allowing to continue and the justice that will come. With this module, students can be aware of the rights that protect them and what they can do to prevent sexual harassment.
Please support 1 bill & oppose 3 bills: Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1448
Please SUPPORT HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. It makes sense that we prepare our youth as they start to work, volunteer and engage in communities Thank you for your consideration. Monique 30+ year resident of Virginia, raised family, worked with youth at church, and now running coach for young girls.
As a student, I support these bills. HB1560 - It is very important that all students know how to handle these situations. I know that having this information would have benefitted many students in the past years. HB1657 - As a student of color, I think diversity in these STEM schools needs to be encouraged. It would help positively impact me and many other students. HB1733 - With so many bills affecting students these days, it is so important that the people being affected get to have their voices heard. As a student, I should be allowed to speak on behalf of my education.
I support HB 1560. Students will benefit from training in the history and codes of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention. They will understand appropriate conduct and the rights and protections provided under Title IX
I strongly support this bill!
Please SUPPORT HB 1560. Please OPPOSE HB 1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448.
Please support HB1560. This is an important bill in providing greatly needed training and guidance on Title IX and should have support across party lines.
I’m a Fairfax County high schooler and I support HB1560.
I support this bill.
I support this bill.
I am in favor of this bill HB 1560
I am in favor of this bill
I, as a student, support these bills. These are much needed bills, and I fully support the implementation.
I support HB 1560.
I support HB1560 I oppose the following bills: HB1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448 As a public education teacher and parent I urge you to stop making our public education system do the bidding of what certain individuals and groups believe and just let us teach. You should have education professionals advising these bills who actually work in the schools bc they would tell you that due diligence is always taken in the libraries! Schools should be safe places for students. Let’s focus our attention on the real problems, funding, educator retention, and constant testing! Happy to speak with anyone anytime and anyone is always welcome to my classroom for a real experience of what education is like!
Bill to support HB 1560 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 HB 1434 HB 1448
I support this bill.
I support this bill because all students, boys and girls, should receive training in the history and codes of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training concerning Title IX rights and protections.
Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. SUPPORT--Will enhance students' mental health and safety, will empower them with knowledge, and will increase their sense of agency HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Puts an undo burden on educational professionals, advances the cause of censorship. HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Makes life more difficult for students and puts undo burden on parents. HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Just another step towards book bans and censorship.
✅ Bill I SUPPORT ✅ 👍🏼 HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 ❌ Bills I Oppose ❌ 👎🏼 HB 1379 PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES; CATALOG OF PRINTED AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS, ETC. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1379 👎🏼 HB 1434 STUDENT RECORDS; NAME CHANGE, COURT ORDER REQUIRED. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 👎🏼 HB 1448 PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS; DOE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, MODEL POLICIES, SELECTION AND REMOVAL. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1448 From, Cynthia Mason, retired VBCPS SPED teacher
Please support HB 1560.
I support this bill. As I believe high schoolers needs to know and understand what sexual harassment is. Also, those who have been sexually harassed needs to know they have support.
As a highschool student, I agree with these bills. I believe it is important for other students and school staff to fully understand sexual harassment and for oppressed communities to be anle to see themselves in the STEM board. I also believe it is important for students to be able to have say in what they think is fair during school board meetings. Without these three bills being passed there's more room for discrimination, bullying, and harassment. There is no reason to not pass any of these bills. Sincerely, Mr. Fowler.
I am writing to ask you to support HB 1560 “High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules.” This bill would ensure that all localities have up-to-date information to comply with federal laws and would provide resources to improve the school environment. Educating students on these important topics not only protects their ability to learn safely in school, but gives them skills they can bring into the workplace and college. Thank you.
I am writing to share my support for HB1560. I believe the committee meets tomorrow morning at 7:30.
I support HB 1560 and oppose HB 1379, strongly oppose HB 1434 and oppose HB 1448. I am the parent of a 7th and an 8th grader at Marshall Middle School in The Plains, VA.
I support this bill.
As a student, I support these bills and think they would help all students at my school.
I support this bill.
HB 1560 seems poorly thought out in that it appears to require principals to function as super-librarians. Our schools have librarians. Our communities and schools also have methods in place to select books for their students. Let's rely on the common sense methods we already have in place and resist relying on super-control tactics by parents who rely on fear to make decisions.
As a student, I support these bills! The well being and safety of students is incredibly important, which these bills will support! Please take into account student safety, as bill HB1560 promotes this. Also please listen to student voices!!!
Hello, I am a high school student, and I support HB 1560. I am privileged to say that I know my Title IX rights. However, most of my friends, peers, and classmates do not. I am a senior in high school, and I only just learned about my Title IX rights this very year. It is unacceptable for high school students to be unaware of the rights that they have and their capability in situations of sexual harassment or assault. There have been countless cases of inappropriate behavior in that students would be allowed to utilize their Title IX rights at my very school. However, nine times out of ten, they don't know. We don't know. It is a fundamental principle of our government to inform the citizens of their rights; if students do not receive any kind of training or knowledge on them, how are they expected to know them? HB 1560 will fix that issue; going forth, students would be able to access the resources their school has and the help they can receive. One of the biggest problems I have seen in school is that students aren't aware of the school resources that exist to help them. I myself only found out about my school's psychologist and social worker a few months ago and was unable to locate them or find out more information about them when I needed it. If Title IX trainings existed in schools, many of these problems would cease to exist. I urge you to pass HB 1560 to give students the resources they need to protect themselves and feel safe. Thank you.
I support HB 1560 to develop Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training for high school students:
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
We oppose HB 1560, a bill regarding the development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules for high school students. The bill's definition of sexual harassment has been expanded beyond what the federal definition is (Title IX) to include non-defined, vague “sex-based verbal or physical misconduct.” Developing training modules solely in collaboration with organizations that serve sexual harassment victims introduces bias. The bill fails to define what parts of the training are to be trauma-informed. Use of trauma-informed training results in an irrefutable, circular argument. It assumes the alleged victim suffered sexual harassment. Any fragmented or loss of memory of the incident is explained away by the supposed trauma caused by the incident. Inconsistent testimony is "proof" the victim was traumatized. The victim's inconsistencies due to trauma are therefore believed to be evidence the sexual harassment occurred. Trauma-informed training may be useful in providing counseling for confirmed victims, but injects bias if used in the investigative process, rendering campus adjudications unreliable. The bill specifies that the training modules developed by the Department of Education must comply with state and federal laws. Neither the Commonwealth of Virginia nor federal Title IX law include a definition of consent; however, the bill curiously includes training on "the law and meaning of consent." HB 1560 is burdensome on the Virginia Department of Education and an improper use of instructional time. When students across the Commonwealth are behind in their education due to the Covid pandemic, a more appropriate bill would be one that addresses closing the learning gap.
HB1592 - Public schools; codes of student conduct, policies and procedures prohibiting bullying.
Teachers and parents need clear guidance as to how disruptive students are addressed. Teachers have enough to deal with considering the huge class sizes, wide range of learning loss, and behavioral issues. Public school leadership must adequately address this issue and not put this on the shoulders of teachers - who are already stretched too thin. BTW, I support having Resource Officers and metal detectors in all schools. Schools should be as secure as Federal Buildings and politicians' offices.
"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
Bill HB 1492 is frankly, useless. A school board already has the right to perform evaluations and produce results to parents prior to the 65 day deadline, but they never will, certainly not with the language in this bill as presented, because everything Special Education is always about deny and delay everything possible, especially when actually providing any services or supports, if parents can even obtain them. Also, the 30-Day implementation minimum, of services is addressed in IDEA, which is Federal Law, and State Law cannot supercede Federal Law. State Laws can be more restrictive, but never less. Let's work more towards requiring the School Divisions and the VDOE to be accountable for services which are SUPPOSED to be provided, transparency for parents about actual services provided/not provided, and require that School Divisions are not practicing medicine or mental health without licenses, and promote full accountability and penalties and financial rewards to parents/students of disabilities when school divisions fail to provide a FAPE under IDEA and State Education Laws.
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.
This bill needs to be passed so all children have equal education
Chair Avoli and members of the House K-12 Subcommittee, On behalf of Equality Virginia, the Commonwealth's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, I submit the following written comment on bills being heard this morning: - Please oppose HB 1379 (Anderson) and HB 1448 (Orrock). - Please support HB 1592 (Davis) and HB 1733 (VanValkenburg). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Narissa Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director Equality Virginia
HB 1592 - Public Schools, Bullying Policy Support the bill. Victims deserve protection. Notifying parents immediately is essential. Parents being able to address poor behavioral and involvement in bullying is equally important. Amend the bill for both notifications to be given within 24 hours. Pass HB 1592.
I am appreciative of Del. Davis' effort to improve communication to families where there has been an alleged incident of bullying in school. For the larger part of my 38 years in public education I was a middle school assistant principal and principal, working together with students and parents through challenging incidents, many involved with bullying. In special education I know that students with disabilities are disproportionately affected by bullying, so I am a strong advocate for student safety, well-being and responsive communication with parents. I respectfully suggest two revisions that can still ensure prompt, reasonable communication to parents: 1. I suggest "one school day" instead of 24 hours. A bullying incident at a Friday night football game could make it very difficult for school staff to contact family within 24 hours. Monday morning could be more realistic both for administrators and families. 2. I suggest "principal or designee" instead of mandating the principal as the sole communicator. This would be a great challenge, especially in larger schools with over 1000 students Thank you for helping promote strong communication between school staff and families with incidents of alleged bullying. I believe my suggestions for language changes would not diminish your emphasis in keeping students safe and engaging promptly with parents. Regards, Mike Asip
HB1592 is well-intentioned but misses the mark. Principals and administrators should be enabled with their own discretion to involve parents in cases of bullying where appropriate, but a one-size-fits-all approach simply won't cut it. There are many cases where a student who is a victim of bullying would not want their parents to know because the reason they were being bullied was the result of home life trauma. Principals should be allowed to make these decisions themselves.
This is a much needed bill. Bullying , be it through social media, in-person, or by other means of contact, is a huge factor in young people committing suicide. Parents need to know immediately and all parties should take part in defusing the situation. I would suggest that the recommended time frame of contact be within 24 hrs of such knowledge to parents/custodians in both parties, the aggressor and the victim.
On HB 1379- Anderson; Sexually Explicit Material. Support the Bill. The smartest folks in the room seem to be lost on child development and the effects sexually explicit materials have on a developing brain. Protect kids. Pass the Bill. On HB 1592 - Davis; a step in the right direction. We can start by notifying parents of any referral to discipline. After so many referrals, parents are required to have meetings. If we can’t get a cooperative agreement, parents and students take classes on boundaries, etc.
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
HB1657 - Virginia STEM Education Advisory Board; purpose and duties, historically underrepresented students.
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.
As a student I support this bill.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Edu-Futuro’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty in immigrant communities largely through educational support. Our beneficiaries come from fully 61 different countries of origin. We greatly encourage the students we serve to pursue careers in STEM, especially given how the Hispanic community has historically been underrepresented in that field. To that end, we support Delegate Cia Price’s HB 1657. I also support Delegate Price's bill in my capacity as a private citizen and as a woman who graduated from the famous STEM magnet school, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, knowing that my alma mater would benefit from a more racially diverse student body. Also, in my capacity as a private citizen, I oppose HB 1379.
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.
The Pride Liberation Project is a student-led LGBTQIA+ advocacy group based in Virginia. We strongly encourage the K-12 subcommittee to vote for HB 1560, HB 1657, and HB 1733. Sourcing for all claims is included in the attatched PDFs. HB 1657 would expand the purpose of the STEM Education Advisory Board to include identifying strategies to promote the participation of historically underrepresented students in STEM, defined as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+, women, and individuals who are disabled. Strategies to promote participation include expanding hands-on STEM opportunities, exploring new STEM electives, and collaborating with institutions of higher education and private sector employees. Several communities, including racial minorities, women, LGBTQIA+ students, and the disabled community, are underrepresented in STEM. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, just 37 percent of STEM bachelor degrees are awarded to women, compared to 63 percent of men earning STEM bachelor degrees. Similarly, Pew Research indicates that Black and Latino individuals compose just 7 percent and 12 percent of bachelor degree holders in STEM fields, respectively. The problem is compounded among women of color: only 5.3%, 4.3%, 2.3%, and 0.1% of STEM degree holders are Asian women, Latinas, Black women, or Indigenous women, respectively. Disabled and Queer students are also underrepresented in STEM. Though disabled students compose 12 percent of the student population in middle and high school, they make up just 1 percent of Advanced Placement students and earn significantly fewer credits in math and science compared to English. Meanwhile, Queer male undergraduate students at 78 universities are more likely to leave their STEM majors for a non-STEM major compared to their non-Queer peers, even when controlling for other factors, such as GPA. Underrepresentation in STEM has drastic consequences for our Commonwealth. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a diverse team is more likely to perform better than a homogeneous team, as a more diverse group will be able to interpret problems in different ways, leading to innovative solutions. Moreover, underrepresentation in STEM contributes to high rates of discrimination and harassment in STEM fields: 43 percent of women report misogynistic experiences at work, while 32.9 percent and 24 percent of Queer and people of color in STEM fields reported experiencing discrimination, respectively. This discrimination and harassment makes it increasingly difficult to retain and train talented STEM professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, as a sense of acceptance and community leads to longer retention in STEM.
Letting students be aware of the opportunities they are given to become involved in the school board meetings will empower students not only this generation but the next generation about the impact they have to change and speak about decisions that will change the school experience for this generation and each that follow it. Additionally, it would allow more students to get involved and become educated about what happens in the school board meetings. Hopefully this would bring more power to students instead of letting people who are not currently in high school, govern what changes occurs for those in high school. The sexual harassment prevention training module will warn the predators, teachers, administrators, and principals who are allowing sexual-harassment to continue among the student body of what they are allowing to continue and the justice that will come. With this module, students can be aware of the rights that protect them and what they can do to prevent sexual harassment.
As a student, I support these bills. HB1560 - It is very important that all students know how to handle these situations. I know that having this information would have benefitted many students in the past years. HB1657 - As a student of color, I think diversity in these STEM schools needs to be encouraged. It would help positively impact me and many other students. HB1733 - With so many bills affecting students these days, it is so important that the people being affected get to have their voices heard. As a student, I should be allowed to speak on behalf of my education.
I am a Fairfax County high school student who supports this bill. Careers in STEM are the future of the country; not only do they serve as critical pillars to the nation, but these jobs are also high in demand and usually offer greater salaries than other industries. However, certain groups have been historically barred from education and technological resources, decreasing their chances of pursing booming industries in STEM. By giving underrepresented minorities the resources to follow careers in STEM, it creates systemic change that will help increase the generational wealth of minorities, a major step towards income equality. Also, this bill will not only help minorities. As the world grows more technologically advanced, our future relies on getting more people to become doctors, scientists, engineers, and computer programmers. Increasing the number of minorities in STEM feilds will boost the overall population of these critical workers, which in the long run will help our economy while making the workforce a more equitable place.
HB 1448 - We need model policies. HB1461 - Equitable: all treated the same. HB 1475 - Parents pay for public schools, kids should get the benefit even if homeschooled, no taxation without representation type of idea. HB1657 - Very workable. HB1903 - Local schools have materials split by schools. Have 3 kids in different schools, parents work, this is impossible to keep up with. This will make things easier for parents.
I, as a student, support these bills. These are much needed bills, and I fully support the implementation.
As a highschool student, I agree with these bills. I believe it is important for other students and school staff to fully understand sexual harassment and for oppressed communities to be anle to see themselves in the STEM board. I also believe it is important for students to be able to have say in what they think is fair during school board meetings. Without these three bills being passed there's more room for discrimination, bullying, and harassment. There is no reason to not pass any of these bills. Sincerely, Mr. Fowler.
Hello, I am a high school student from a background underrepresented in STEM, and I support HB 1657. For years, I have felt scared by STEM; classmates would assume that I am not any good at it or had no interest in it because of my background. Coming from an art and business-oriented family, STEM was once again pushed beyond my reach. However, I want to become a public health worker, and possibly even a doctor one day. Had it not been for the adults at my school, I would have felt extremely nervous about majoring in STEM, much less entering a STEM field. This exact scenario is replicated by thousands of Virginia students just like me, many of who will never get the opportunity to pursue a STEM degree or career because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity -- factors beyond their control. I want every student in the Commonwealth to be able to experience wonder, curiosity, and discovery in STEM in the same way that I was so privileged to do. HB 1657 would change so many student's lives, and break down the barriers that exist between many students and not just STEM, but higher education. With a STEM Education Advisory Board, people can begin to focus on the underrepresented students, giving them the opportunity to follow their dreams. For me, and for the many marginalized students to come, I urge you to pass HB 1657, because it will ensure brighter futures and successes for so many Virginia children.
As a student, I support these bills and think they would help all students at my school.
As a student, I support these bills! The well being and safety of students is incredibly important, which these bills will support! Please take into account student safety, as bill HB1560 promotes this. Also please listen to student voices!!!
HB1694 - School boards; school building maintenance reserves.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose 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.
HB1695 - Public high schools; career coach required.
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose 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.
We support HB1695, establishing career coaches in every high school to support students as they explore future career pathways beyond high school. Career coaches would bridge the gap between existing guidance counseling services and the employment needs of the Commonwealth’s employers. The reduced burden on guidance counselors would free them to focus on other needs and the impact to our students’ ability to gain experience and to grow their knowledge by applying real-world skills in a work environment would be positive. Many of the current career coaches work with students with disabilities and their work has strengthened the employment rate of those students.
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.
HB: 1556 k-9 detection team setting dogs loos on children, studies show that dogs can attack when they sense fear (walking dog behavior.com) (BCA animal hospital) . $50,000.00+ price tag! And this doesn’t include housing food. Not included in the cost is the direct cost of the trainer and law enforce t personal. Where will the funding come from?! The children will become scapegoats, unwarranted CPS cases, what schools will be targeted. Canines can be trained to be anti black (the Marshall project june 23, 2021. This brings an uncomfortable sense of Birmingham, Alabama. A VAST amount of students would benefit from mentors rather than a K-9 unit. As Chesterfield county has the MEGA MENTORS PROGRAM which has been successful. thus will be helpful to allow parents into schools rather than K-9 units HB 1695: Public high school Career Coach the following amendments should be implemented to this Bill. there should be no less than 3 staffed job coaches, collaboration with parents , school counselors, SPED COORDINATORS , apart of the IEP team, expanded to 7th grade, HB1696: teacher lunch : in order for myself to support this bill these are the questions I have. where will the additional staff be obtained while the teachers take their breaks? Has the teacher shown that they have provided direct substantive support to their students/families , attended and provided support during iep meetings. HB 1733 I do not support this bill the student shall be allowed to speak by simply providing their first and last name, grade and school name. Either verbally and or writing their name on the sign up sheet. (Assistance shall be provided by parent or caregiver) ( if needed.) the student may not have access to signing up online.
I support HB1695. All students should have access to resources provided by these specialists.
HB1696 - Public elementary school teachers; length of daily lunch breaks.
"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
Edu-Futuro’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty in immigrant communities largely through educational support. Our beneficiaries come from fully 61 different countries of origin, and most of our beneficiaries are English language learners. By incentivizing the acquisition of an endorsement in English as a Second Language instruction, HB 1824 will necessarily improve the staff to student ratio for ELLs. To that end, Edu-Futuro wholeheartedly supports Delegate Avoli’s HB 1824. I also support this bill as a private citizen and second generation immigrant myself, and I am very pleased to see that on the Senate side, my own Senator, Jennifer Boysko, is this bill’s chief co-patron. I also want to express my support in my personal capacity as a former public school teacher for Delegate Simonds’ HB 1696. Thank you.
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.
HB: 1556 k-9 detection team setting dogs loos on children, studies show that dogs can attack when they sense fear (walking dog behavior.com) (BCA animal hospital) . $50,000.00+ price tag! And this doesn’t include housing food. Not included in the cost is the direct cost of the trainer and law enforce t personal. Where will the funding come from?! The children will become scapegoats, unwarranted CPS cases, what schools will be targeted. Canines can be trained to be anti black (the Marshall project june 23, 2021. This brings an uncomfortable sense of Birmingham, Alabama. A VAST amount of students would benefit from mentors rather than a K-9 unit. As Chesterfield county has the MEGA MENTORS PROGRAM which has been successful. thus will be helpful to allow parents into schools rather than K-9 units HB 1695: Public high school Career Coach the following amendments should be implemented to this Bill. there should be no less than 3 staffed job coaches, collaboration with parents , school counselors, SPED COORDINATORS , apart of the IEP team, expanded to 7th grade, HB1696: teacher lunch : in order for myself to support this bill these are the questions I have. where will the additional staff be obtained while the teachers take their breaks? Has the teacher shown that they have provided direct substantive support to their students/families , attended and provided support during iep meetings. HB 1733 I do not support this bill the student shall be allowed to speak by simply providing their first and last name, grade and school name. Either verbally and or writing their name on the sign up sheet. (Assistance shall be provided by parent or caregiver) ( if needed.) the student may not have access to signing up online.
HB 1695 addresses the need for career coaches for each high school and would be an asset in preparing students for the future workforce. The career coach would work with the school counselor in assisting the student with the following: *information, career planning, and academic career plans related to the student's career goals and/or interests *performed in partnership with local businesses and organizations. *assist students with career awareness and exploration relating to internships, apprenticeship programs, and high-demand credentials *apply and refine knowledge, attitudes, and skills through professionally coordinated and supervised work experience directly related to career goals *work collaboratively with school counselors in assisting students *address the Profile of a Graduate and the 5 C's by allowing students to apply these skills in a real-world business or service-oriented work environment. Secondary students would have the exceptional opportunity to enter postsecondary and/or the workforce having already acquired skills and knowledge related to the field as highly qualified students and/or employees. Having these opportunities in high school provides students to be a "step ahead" in a competitive workforce or postsecondary setting. I urged you to vote yes for HB 1695 which would require career coaches in each high school. Sincerely, Brenda D. Long, Ed. D.
HB1733 - School boards; enrolled students present at meetings, public comment or citizen participation.
HB 1461 oppose see attachment Hb1497 support Hb1507 oppose Hb1731 support HB 1967 support Hb1980 Support Hb1982 support
HB1461 - This proposal is fair to all. HB1497 - Too expensive, major cities like Chesapeake/VB/Norfolk taxpayers can't afford more taxes to pay teachers. We need to pay for bus drivers. Get rid of 1/2 the administrative bloat, then you would have more $$$ to pay teachers, nurses and bus drivers. HB1507 - This is the main driver of the elections: constitutionally protect parent control. HB1691 - This would help with SRO's and given the fights in schools, is desparately needed. Please move to report. HB1704 - Needed now, given the rapes in LCPS. HB1733 - Not needed, they already can and do this. HB2021 - Always love to see parents provided with information. HB2264 - No more mission creep. Educate the kids: leave the psych stuff to another groups w/that focus. HB2405 - Excellent suggestion!
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose 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.
HB: 1556 k-9 detection team setting dogs loos on children, studies show that dogs can attack when they sense fear (walking dog behavior.com) (BCA animal hospital) . $50,000.00+ price tag! And this doesn’t include housing food. Not included in the cost is the direct cost of the trainer and law enforce t personal. Where will the funding come from?! The children will become scapegoats, unwarranted CPS cases, what schools will be targeted. Canines can be trained to be anti black (the Marshall project june 23, 2021. This brings an uncomfortable sense of Birmingham, Alabama. A VAST amount of students would benefit from mentors rather than a K-9 unit. As Chesterfield county has the MEGA MENTORS PROGRAM which has been successful. thus will be helpful to allow parents into schools rather than K-9 units HB 1695: Public high school Career Coach the following amendments should be implemented to this Bill. there should be no less than 3 staffed job coaches, collaboration with parents , school counselors, SPED COORDINATORS , apart of the IEP team, expanded to 7th grade, HB1696: teacher lunch : in order for myself to support this bill these are the questions I have. where will the additional staff be obtained while the teachers take their breaks? Has the teacher shown that they have provided direct substantive support to their students/families , attended and provided support during iep meetings. HB 1733 I do not support this bill the student shall be allowed to speak by simply providing their first and last name, grade and school name. Either verbally and or writing their name on the sign up sheet. (Assistance shall be provided by parent or caregiver) ( if needed.) the student may not have access to signing up online.
Chair Avoli and members of the House K-12 Subcommittee, On behalf of Equality Virginia, the Commonwealth's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, I submit the following written comment on bills being heard this morning: - Please oppose HB 1379 (Anderson) and HB 1448 (Orrock). - Please support HB 1592 (Davis) and HB 1733 (VanValkenburg). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Narissa Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director Equality Virginia
We strongly support HB 1733. HB 1733 allows for enrolled students to participate in school board meetings through the public comments section, provided they sign up 12 hours in advance or are physically present at the school board. HB 1733 recognizes that civic engagement among students is limited: data from Tufts University' Circle Program suggests, for example, that in 2018, only 8.4% of youth in the Commonwealth contacted public officials to express their opinions. Yet, various school boards have implemented onerous processes that make it difficult for students to participate and share special insight on the day-to-day operations of the Commonwealth's schools. Some school districts, like Louisa County, post no information about how to testify, while others, like Fairfax County, have employed lottery systems that fail to notify students about when they were selected to comment. HB 1733 simplifies the system by allowing students who demonstrate civic interest to participate in our systems.
Letting students be aware of the opportunities they are given to become involved in the school board meetings will empower students not only this generation but the next generation about the impact they have to change and speak about decisions that will change the school experience for this generation and each that follow it. Additionally, it would allow more students to get involved and become educated about what happens in the school board meetings. Hopefully this would bring more power to students instead of letting people who are not currently in high school, govern what changes occurs for those in high school. The sexual harassment prevention training module will warn the predators, teachers, administrators, and principals who are allowing sexual-harassment to continue among the student body of what they are allowing to continue and the justice that will come. With this module, students can be aware of the rights that protect them and what they can do to prevent sexual harassment.
As a student, I support these bills. HB1560 - It is very important that all students know how to handle these situations. I know that having this information would have benefitted many students in the past years. HB1657 - As a student of color, I think diversity in these STEM schools needs to be encouraged. It would help positively impact me and many other students. HB1733 - With so many bills affecting students these days, it is so important that the people being affected get to have their voices heard. As a student, I should be allowed to speak on behalf of my education.
I, as a student, support these bills. These are much needed bills, and I fully support the implementation.
As a highschool student, I agree with these bills. I believe it is important for other students and school staff to fully understand sexual harassment and for oppressed communities to be anle to see themselves in the STEM board. I also believe it is important for students to be able to have say in what they think is fair during school board meetings. Without these three bills being passed there's more room for discrimination, bullying, and harassment. There is no reason to not pass any of these bills. Sincerely, Mr. Fowler.
As a student, I support these bills and think they would help all students at my school.
As a student, I support these bills! The well being and safety of students is incredibly important, which these bills will support! Please take into account student safety, as bill HB1560 promotes this. Also please listen to student voices!!!
Hello, I am a high school student in Virginia, and I support HB 1733. I have signed up to testify in front of my School Board six times. I have only been accepted twice, and out of those two times, only once was my testimony even presented at the meeting. Oftentimes my voice gets drowned out by parents and other community members who are important, of course, but this is my education. If I am the one in school, and I am seeing what is happening, why do I not get a say? School Board testimonies and public comments are the most influential way to get my School Board to listen to me and what I have to say. When there were administrators making hateful comments at my school, I was not able to speak. When the Board was passing a provision on sexual education reforms to a curriculum I had been taught, I was not able to speak. During my county's Superintendent Approval Process, I was able to submit a video testimony, only for it not to be shown at the meeting without any given reason. No student should be silenced on the issues that affect them directly. With HB 1733, this can end, and students can use the voices our schools teach them to use. I hope you will take this into consideration, and make the decision that will benefit those the education system seeks to serve: the students. Thank you.
HB1903 - School boards; online portal for parents to access content in school libraries.
I support parents being informed of sexually explicit materials being in the school library and/or classroom. I also support removing sexually explicit materials from K-12 buildings. Curating AGE-APPROPRIATE materials for K-12 schools is NOT the same as "book banning." If a book is available for purchase at a bookstore, online, or can be reserved at a public library - then it is certainly not "banned." What can we expect next from the far left? How about 50 Shades of Grey for 10th grade English?
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
I strongly oppose 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.
We support the following bill: HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 We oppose the following bills: HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. SIncerely, Sue Sargeant and Ron Smith 1318 William Street, Fredbg 22401; Rachel Sargeant 812 Daniel St, Fredbg VA 22401
HB 1448 - We need model policies. HB1461 - Equitable: all treated the same. HB 1475 - Parents pay for public schools, kids should get the benefit even if homeschooled, no taxation without representation type of idea. HB1657 - Very workable. HB1903 - Local schools have materials split by schools. Have 3 kids in different schools, parents work, this is impossible to keep up with. This will make things easier for parents.
Before we had bills like these parents and school libraries worked together to ensure that children read the books most appropriate for them. These bills do nothing to foster relationships between school libraries and parents, instead they put those who care about children in adversarial positions. School library catalogs are already available on school websites to any member of the public which makes many of the requirements within these bills redundant. Adding requirements to notify parents every time a book is checked out puts an undue burden on already understaffed schools. These bills do nothing to further education, they do everything to stifle access and the love of reading.
HB1379 - Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc.
Virginia Faith and Freedom would like to express our support for HB 1379. This bill gives parents peace of mind when sending their child to school by making schools catalog their library and gives the parents the option to opt out of certain material. It is a reasonable request that a child should not run into any sexually explicit material while in elementary or secondary school. In 2021, Fairfax County Public Schools and Loudoun County Public Schools both had issues arise at their school board meetings with parents upset at the sexually explicit content found in their child's schools. Stacy Langton is a mother that took a stand against the Fairfax County School Board at a meeting in 2021. The Fairfax County Times reported about that specific meeting “Those books she spoke about that night contain explicit pornographic content. In addition to the graphic language in the books, there are also illustrations including fellatio, sex toys, masturbation and nudity”. HB 1379 will give the power back to the parents in accordance with Virginia Code 18.2-376. This code states that, “It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to prepare, print, publish, or circulate, or cause to be prepared, printed, published or circulated, any notice or advertisement of any obscene item proscribed in § 18.2-373, or of any obscene performance or exhibition proscribed in § 18.2-375, stating or indicating where such obscene item, exhibition, or performance may be purchased, obtained, seen or heard”. Virginia State Leaders such as Former Governor Terry McAuliffe stated in his 2021 election, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach”. This is an alarming statement that all parents should be concerned about. We ask that you vote in support of HB 1379 to give Virginia Parents the choice they deserve.
I object to the passage of HB12379 and HB1448.Now we are calling books long recognized as classics "sexually explicit." A book should and has been determined by the courts as judged by its all-over content; before demanding that they be removed why not look at all of them and see how many you have read when you were in school? School librarians are trained professionals of literature and should make the decicions on what goes on the shelves. Certainally any parent can have and currently has the right to determine what books their child reads, but no groups of parents should have the right to make this determination for others. The censorship of well recognized literature does nothing to prepare youth for our critical thinking objectives or preparation for civil discussion.
We need to trust our librarians as the professionals who can best determine appropriateness. Keep government out of this.
I really want to Save Women's Sports for female women and girls. Women have fought to be able to use our skill sets in a male dominated hobby and career, and now it'll be taken away. Women and girls deserve a league of our own. We also deserve opportunities because we've been denied them for much of history! We need to prevent male athletes who claim to have a different 'gender identity' from taking women's and girl's spots (scholarships and otherwise) in/for athletics. Please support athletic fairness, honesty, and material reality of being female.
I support parents being informed of sexually explicit materials being in the school library and/or classroom. I also support removing sexually explicit materials from K-12 buildings. Curating AGE-APPROPRIATE materials for K-12 schools is NOT the same as "book banning." If a book is available for purchase at a bookstore, online, or can be reserved at a public library - then it is certainly not "banned." What can we expect next from the far left? How about 50 Shades of Grey for 10th grade English?
Commenting as a mother of four sons who’ve been schooled in Hanover County K-12, the youngest now at Maggie Walker, addressing these three bills with common sense and zero fear of the “woke” and “cancel” crowds: HB1379: absolutely parents need to have easy access to understand what materials are accessible to children within our schools! There should be no reason our schools would want to hide this information. And parents are right to demand sexually explicit materials be removed. Our children are in school to be nurtured and learn reading, writing, arithmetic, science, technology and the arts. They are not there to be sexualized. HB1387: without a doubt biological sex must determine whether the child is on the boy’s or the girl’s team. As a mother of four boys, all of which played sports - and having previously operated a dance studio with girls from 3-18yrs old - I have years of experience and common sense to know that girls and boys need to be separated for sports due to many reasons including: rate of physical development, general strength, potential strength, and during pre-pubescent and puberty for emotional and hormonal differences. If I had a daughter in high school that was subjected to a male in her team’s locker room or on the court/ field - I’d be livid. No female, especially our youth should be subjected to such a ludicrous situation. Our young ladies (biological females to be specific) need us to provide THEM safe places to learn, grow and develop. If someone wants to “identify” as anything other than their biological sex, they should seek co-ed teams. HB1397: I strongly believe the parents need to be the ones deciding how to manage THEIR children’s health. While I personally support fully-approved, long-standing vaccines such as the polio vaccine, I am against forcing any vaccine simply because the government decides to mandate it. I didn’t have an opinion prior to the COVID-era “emergency approval, skip the longitudinal studies, mandate the vaccine,” followed by areas of the country going down the path of “show your papers” to receive services. Now I have a strong opinion - parents are the ones responsible for their children, not the government.
I strongly oppose this bill
Strongly oppose this bill
"I support HB 1396 as introduced, and it deserves a vote." Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the School Choice fight! Quick Links: Join the Rapid Response Team of Virginia for Educational Freedom School Choice petition to legislators Donate to Virginia for Educational Freedom For Our Children, Natassia Grover Director Virginia for Educational Freedom PS- It is vital that you sign our Petition for School Choice today. The thing politicians fear most is large numbers of angry voters, and your signature on the petition will be added to the thousands that have already signed. This Petition will be delivered to the House Educational Committee, and they will be told they must support full and complete School Choice. So click here to sign! Copyright © 2023 Acton Advocacy Group, All rights reserved. Fighting to restore freedom in education in the Commonwealth Our mailing address is: Acton Advocacy Group 11895 Folly Lane Lovettsville, VA 20180 Add us to your address book
Sexually explicit materials are in VA Public schools. For the vast majority of those schools, the only option for parents who do not want their children having access to what is essentially verbal and visual pornography is to “opt them out” on a book by book basis. This “option” is not an option when parents do not know which books are present and contain porn. Informing parents is the LEAST schools can do on this issue.
Please support this bill as our children are our hope for tomorrow. Parents and those in authority over our children need to know what is happening in the school systems. thank you Debbie Vreeland
Please support this bill as our children are our hope for tomorrow. Parents and those in authority over our children need to know what is happening in the school systems. thank you Debbie Vreeland
I support HB1371: Sexually explicit and violent materials, (not limited to books!) have no place in our School Divisions, accessible to minors whatsoever, libraries or not, especially that all are purchased using taxpayer funds.
I am a very concerned grandparent . I cannot believe these sexually explicit books have entered the library of our children’s schools. This was allowed in the most deceptive manner, without parental knowledge. We are outraged at this evil, that would destroy the mind of innocent children. My child attended a Chesapeake public school, and now my grandchildren are at the age to attend public school. But they will remain in a private Christian school until these library’s are cleaned out. And parents are allowed to have a loud voice concerning all areas of teaching and training in public schools in Chesapeake. Thank you Tim Anderson for working for the citizens of Virginia.
The sexual explicit material does not belong in our schools. It is our responsibility to remove this content and protect little minds. Our children will greatly appreciate and benefit from this. We ought this to them and our future generations.
Edu-Futuro’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty in immigrant communities largely through educational support. Our beneficiaries come from fully 61 different countries of origin. We greatly encourage the students we serve to pursue careers in STEM, especially given how the Hispanic community has historically been underrepresented in that field. To that end, we support Delegate Cia Price’s HB 1657. I also support Delegate Price's bill in my capacity as a private citizen and as a woman who graduated from the famous STEM magnet school, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, knowing that my alma mater would benefit from a more racially diverse student body. Also, in my capacity as a private citizen, I oppose HB 1379.
To Whom It May Concern, I find it hard to believe that in the 21st century a book like Hawthorn's The Scarlet Letter might be banned from schools due to sexual content. In many ways, Hawthorn's masterpiece is a deeply spiritual book about the judgements we cast so unfairly and unwisely upon each other. Law makers should learn a lesson from the classics. The Holy Bible is another classic that contains a lot of sexual content. Take a look at the Song of Solomon! Please consider the road you legislators are paving for our children and just where it may lead. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Campagna
Books or any other materials with sexually explicit content have no place in our schools. If any such materials happen to find their way into the public school libraries and / or classrooms, the parents should be alerted immediately and should be given adequate venues to prevent their children from being exposed to said materials. All students should be opted out by default from sexually explicit materials in school (elementary, middle and high school levels). If parents decide to expose their children to such materials, they should be limited to doing so on their own time and property. Teachers should be prevented from introducing books, video and/or audio products which include sexual content or promote the genderist agenda. Please vote accordingly.
Please support this bill
I adamantly oppose SB 1379. Our school librarians, and librarians in general, are trained and qualified to catalog books. Our school principals are not. The time and effort it would take to create ANOTHER catalog would be astronomical and not allow any time for the principal to do anything else. Each school library has on average 13,000 distinct materials in them. Who is going to go and read all those items? Our school librarians already follow set standards and procedures when purchasing items for collections. Our elementary schools don't have explicit materials in them, upper grades already follow obscenity and other laws along with library standards. Furthermore, our school library catalogs are already available online for parents to look at whenever they want. Parents can look at the books their children check out and make their own judgments. Our school librarians also are available for questions or guidance. This bill just creates busy work that will take away time from our amazing principals doing their already important jobs and take time away from all the instructional and literacy work our librarians already do. This will just cost a lot of budget money schools don't have and take time away from instruction and learning. Let librarians do their jobs. Let students read. Let's not create more road blocks to learning and let's respect our educators!
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.
As a parent of 4 school age children, I want sexually explicit, age inappropriate material curated out of the libraries. However, this is a great step in the right direction. Next step would be to have an opt in form for parents to send in if the WANT their children exposed to the sexually explicit material rather than an opt out form. But we are grateful and will take what we can get :).
Yes, I support HB1379. Please bring it up for a vote.
Banning books is bad for a democracy, history offers plenty of examples of how this leads a country to authoritarian rule. Parents do have a right to say what their children can read, Parents can opt-out of these books in the classroom and library if they so desire.
SUPPORT
After reading some of the comments left by others, I feel the need to clarify that I am supporting Del. Anderson's Bill 1379 and I hope that the members will note that the vast majority of comments left by people opposing this bill claim that it is somehow "banning" books or allowing some small minority of people to control what others see/do, I was especially struck by the comment opposing Bill 1379 while using the analogy that if that person, as a parent, thought bikes were dangerous then he/she would not allow his child to ride a bike but would oppose banning all bikes. Del Anderson's bill is designed to give parents exactly that level of control over what their OWN child is exposed to, and contains no provision empowering one parent to stop another family's child from viewing anything. I hope our elected representatives will have the intellectual capacity to distinguish between prohibiting books (which frankly should not be so controversial in the context of education) and what this bill actually does, empowering parents.
I support these bills and they deserve a vote!
Please support this bill. There is no reason for elementary school children to be exposed to sexually explicit material in school under any circumstances. The "necessity" of such materials in secondary schools is highly questionable at best. Providing parents with a mechanism for easily knowing the content to which their children might be exposed, and with a mechanism for opting out of such exposure, is not a difficult "ask." There is simply no reason not to give parents this kind of control, and it is not censorship or anything remotely resembling censorship. Please move this bill forward to a full house floor vote without amendment and without delay.
If you vote against this bill and to deny parents more control over what content their children are allowed to access, in this case sexually explicit images in books, you are no better than the next pedofile. Vote Yes to uphold parentental rights and protect children from being exposed to sexual imaging.
There should be no debate about passing Delegate Anderson's HB1379. Parents should have full decision-making authority over their minor children's exposures. Parents entrust their children to the public education system for their children to be educated in a safe environment to help shape them into responsible, productive citizens in the future. Parents do not send their children to school to be indoctrinated by adults who have no business collecting paychecks in an educational setting; nor, do they send their children to school to have inappropriate material at their children's fingertips at the library check out computer. This is a real crisis in the American public education system that should be addressed starting with the passing of Delegate Anderson's HB1379.
I strongly oppose banning books. Who has time to create the database Del. Anderson wants? He has tried to get books banned in Virginia Beach and at Barnes and Noble, and lost those cases. Why does he think it would work for the entire state? Do we not have more pressing needs in Virginia?
HB1379 is well intended, but misses the mark. If this bill passes, at a minimum, it should also include written depictions, not just visual. At a maximum, the bill should be changed so that there should be, by legal and ethical standards, no sexually explicit materials in the K-12 system. The problem isn't identifying it; the problem is it shouldn't be there. The solution isn't to create time consuming bureaucratic methods of tracking it; it shouldn't be there. My school system, WJCC, kept a book in the school libraries that writes about "eating p****" with condiments. Yes, that's what over 21 adults who were told about the book decided to do. That is sick. How about the book about how to have anal sex cleanly? Nope, the administrators ignore it. How about the book that described a step-father raping a child? Nope, WJCC kept it. The superintendent is fully informed, and she won't even state what her position is on having this type of sexually explicit material in her school system. In fact, she refuses to communicate about it anymore with a parent who is trying to inform her of these materials. VA already has obscenity laws and laws about causing the delinquencies of minors. These school (mainly library) materials meet those definitions, and the librarians/administrators should be charged. Except, VA also includes exceptions for these laws for libraries, museums, etc. These exceptions need to be removed and the school materials need to be removed and stopped from entering the schools, or the librarians/administrators need to be criminally charged. Stand up for what should be normal-- adults should not be providing sexually explicit material to k-12 children. Period. Fix the current VA code so this can be enforced.
As a mother who has had children in the Norfolk Public School system since 1995, I expect to know that my children are protected in the same manner that I protect them while away from me and in the care of educators. This includes protecting them from the exposure of sexually explicit content, be it in written form or audii visual content. The system would not allow the exposure in the form of an R rated movie, nor should it be in the form of an R rated book. The technology of today makes it possible to catalogue every single book and publication available in our school libraries and we need to implement the policies that require them to do so. It is the parent's right to determine when their child is ready to learn about sexual dalliance and or deviance.
We support this bill. Parents should have the right to know to what their children are being exposed in the public schools are taxes pay for.
I support this bill. As a parent of 5 children I would like to protect my kids and others from inappropriate content in our schools. Please support this bill for our kids.
Chair Avoli and members of the House K-12 Subcommittee, On behalf of Equality Virginia, the Commonwealth's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, I submit the following written comment on bills being heard this morning: - Please oppose HB 1379 (Anderson) and HB 1448 (Orrock). - Please support HB 1592 (Davis) and HB 1733 (VanValkenburg). Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Narissa Rahaman (she/her) Executive Director Equality Virginia
Our children are attending school for an education to prepare them to be successful in life. They have access to much filth via social media. Why would any school division think that offering sexually explicit or lewd material to students is part of learning math, English, science, history, etc? Our schools should not be a part of offering such materials to their students.
We support the following bill: HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 We oppose the following bills: HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. SIncerely, Sue Sargeant and Ron Smith 1318 William Street, Fredbg 22401; Rachel Sargeant 812 Daniel St, Fredbg VA 22401
I support Anderson’s HB1379 and am shocked to discover this isn’t already being done. I believe the schools are committing an egregious breach of trust and am asking for them to be held accountable for the materials provided to children while also allowing parents the right to approve or deny any sexually explicit material that they deem inappropriate for their child. Thank you.
This bill is critical to parents. It directs school boards to give us inputs on what our children are exposed to. It must be passed.
Why are schools out to denigrate our parents/guardians and indoctrinate our children? HB1379 is needed. How sad to have to type that sentence. School librarians and school staff should have the decency to care about children and know they are dealing with delicate, malleable minds. Our children are being exposed to more and more vulgar, sexually explicit material in schools--schools that are supposed to include adults who protect them and educate them. Instead children learn about sexually explicit topics, along with illustrations. These same books that are in schools cannot be read aloud at school board meetings because of their graphic content. It doesn't make sense. Please support HB1379 and show children how important they are to you. Give parents the ability to know what sexually explicit books are in school libraries and give parents the opportunity to opt out of schools that are loaning said books to their children. Summary is as follows, taken from the Bill Tracking website: Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials; graphic sexual content; parental opt out and request for review. Requires the principal of each public elementary or secondary school or his designee to (i) maintain in an electronic spreadsheet or a substantially similar electronic format a catalog of all printed and audiovisual materials, as defined in the bill, that are contained in the school library; (ii) identify each item in such catalog by title, author, and such other identifying features or information as the principal or his designee deems appropriate; (iii) identify with a prominent notation in such catalog each item that contains graphic sexual content, as defined in the bill; (iv) make such catalog available to any parent of a student enrolled in the school; (v) permit any parent of a student enrolled in the school to restrict his child's access to any item in such catalog that is identified as containing graphic sexual content; and (vi) permit any parent of a student enrolled in the school to request a graphic sexual content notation for any item in such catalog that is not so identified.
Re HB 1379 and HB 1448. I am opposed! It is beyond my comprehension that the views of a few could cause the banning of books in a public library. Like so many things in the raising of children, a parent must be responsible for their own families decisions and can not force those views on others in the community. If I don’t think it is safe for my child to ride a bike, it does not allow me to eliminate bikes in my community. HB 1560- I support. it is critical that we support Title IX and its programming and eliminate sexual harassment in schools. Our schools must have processes in place that clearly identify processes and procedures to support all students.
There has been a great deal of discussion in the news, and at the board meetings throughout the state, regarding instructional reading and books available to students in the library and in the personal library of teachers. While policy allows parents to review the content of the material available to students, few parents have the time. The majority of parents believe that it is the duty of school personnel to review the content and only give approval if it is appropriate for minors. Reviews and decisions should be made prior to future purchases . The vulgar content of some of the books has been addressed but one must also consider the lasting impression and obsessions that some individuals develop after reading inappropriate material and the long-term psychological issues that become issues for society. Words are powerful and literary works have lasting effect on our most vulnerable and impressionable students. Who are you creating with the books that you are allowing children to have access to in our schools? Let us begin to clean up the books currently available to students and vote in favor of passing HB 1379.
I’m in opposition to 1379 and 1448. I support 1560.
Liberty Lovers VA, demands, YOU, OUR ELECTED SERVANTS to represent THE WILL OF WE THE PEOPLE, by voting “YES” on HB1379. Distributing pornography to minors is illegal. Stop our schools from peddling porn. Over 100 books were found in Virginia Beach alone!! Minors cannot enter businesses where sexually graphic materials are being sold in front of them,, and yet our kids certainly have access while at school! OUR TAX DOLLARS FUND SCHOOLS, AND WE DO NOT CONSENT TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT BOOKS BEING IN THEM!! Of all things we have to worry about for our children, this shouldn’t be one of them. Parents need to know what their child has access to (at school), and YOU need to know that we don’t consent to them having ANY access to sexually graphic and sexually explicit materials! THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW! Please vote in FAVOR of HB1379 and help us protect our kids from being sexualized at the hands of their schools! Sheé Lee Rock Liberty Lovers- Organizer (on behalf of the 250 members of Liberty Lovers VA).
I strongly support this bill
On behalf of my family and 50 + families I have in my circle we would all ask that you expedite the removal of sexually explicit material in public schools. There is no reason for it! You are opening the doors for kids do explore their curiosity about sex when you put it in front of them unnecessarily. Times may be changing for our youth but let’s keep schools the safe place for learning the core and important topics they need to continue education. Not sexualized books that distract them from what is important. Let their parents take them to the public library on their own time for that.
Please support 1 bill & oppose 3 bills: Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. - https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1448
I urge you to vote NO on these bills. These bills are a dangerous precedent, setting a process by which a small group can restrict access to publications based on their belief systems. It’s best to leave these curriculum and library materials availability to the education and library professionals. Rather, let’s focus energy on more compelling deadly concerns like gun safety and gun violence prevention, and substance abuse. That would go further in protecting our children and youth. Thanks for your consideration. Monique Hanis 30+ year Va. resident, raised family, taught youth at church, currently running coach for young girls.
I urge committee members to vote YES on HB1379. Distributing pornography to minors is illegal. Stop our schools from peddling porn. I need to know what my child has access to and YOU need to know that I don’t consent to him having ANY access to sexually graphic and sexually explicit materials!
As a parent of 3 I strongly support Parental knowledge of the books available in our children's libraries and being able to choose whether it is inappropriate for our kids especially when it's sexually explicit! Thank you for pushing for the safety of our children's minds by pushing to allow parental involvement! We are behind you all the way and we're praying for a Godly outcome. Thank you, The Davis family
HB 1379! To committee, This is a moral, common sense bill! Parents Should always have authority to know about sexually explicit material in libraries or in classroom and be able to opt out their kids!!! This vile kind of material should not be in public schools anyway!!! C. Boyer
Please protect our children. Sexually should not be allowed in our schools. Parents should be the ones teaching our children about sex and sexually.
Please SUPPORT HB 1560. Please OPPOSE HB 1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448.
Please oppose these bills aimed at censoring school libraries. School librarians have extensive training. These bills aim to intimidate school librarians and remove diverse learning materials.
I oppose this bill. It is burdensome for schools and unnecessary.
I oppose HB 1379. Public schools have policies and procedures already in place for individual parents to opt their children out of books and media. There is no reason to create new procedures when they are already in place.
I write to ask that every legislator do the utmost to put the children first and keeps them first. That means keeping them as innocent as possible for as long as possible. It is disturbing to know that pornography is in our libraries and available to children without parental supervision. I’m a grandparent and I care very much that all children are protected from exposure to the smut that some authors have a need to write. Although they have a first amendment, that does not mean children have the right to read and view it without their parents permission. No one should not have to be exposed, let alone children to deviant books. Please take a strong stance in favor of parents who want to do everything in their power to protect their children.
This bill shows no knowledge of how school libraries keep data or catalogs of their books in this state, whether such records can be easily accessed by parents or not, whether such spreadsheets or other digital records can be produced without extra cost for already challenged county school library budgets, and does not allocate any funds for said efforts. Parents should have better things to do than spending hours pouring over records for imaginary obscenities. We should trust our professionally trained librarians to do their jobs, which include selecting age and topic appropriate books for children in our schools. There is no clear language as to with what language or codes or how certain books would be designated, annotated or flagged. This is not the job of principals, who are not trained library catalogers, nor experts on developmental topic appropriateness. There is no indication as to how certain hypothetical books would be kept out of children's hands in the library itself. Children share books, --no we are not going to closed stacks-- so if a book is restricted, what is to stop a child who is not restricted from showing a book to a restricted child at school, on the bus or in the library. But that that would happen is absurd. Our librarians are a resource whose time should not be squandered when a parent wants a particular title they have not read restricted due to a rumor they heard about what it contains. This is another insult to the professionalism of our librarians. Attacks such as this are designed to discredit libraries and librarians and to discredit the judgement of educational professionals who would never knowingly expose a child to obscene material. These people who want laws like this don't want to keep children safe; they want to keep them ignorant.
This bill shows no knowledge of how school libraries keep data or catalogs of their books in this state, whether such records can be easily accessed by parents or not, whether such spreadsheets or other digital records can be produced without extra cost for already challenged county school library budgets, and does not allocate any funds for said efforts. Parents should have better things to do than spending hours pouring over records for imaginary obscenities. We should trust our professionally trained librarians to do their jobs, which include selecting age and topic appropriate books for children in our schools. There is no clear language as to with what language or codes or how certain books would be designated, annotated or flagged. This is not the job of principals, who are not trained library catalogers, nor experts on developmental topic appropriateness. There is no indication as to how certain hypothetical books would be kept out of children's hands in the library itself. Children share books, --no we are not going to closed stacks-- so if a book is restricted, what is to stop a child who is not restricted from showing a book to a restricted child at school, on the bus or in the library. But that that would happen is absurd. Our librarians are a resource whose time should not be squandered when a parent wants a particular title they have not read restricted due to a rumor they heard about what it contains. This is another insult to the professionalism of our librarians. Attacks such as this are designed to discredit libraries and librarians and to discredit the judgement of educational professionals who would never knowingly expose a child to obscene material. These people who want laws like this don't want to keep children safe; they want to keep them ignorant.
Comments Document
I would like to speak via Zoom if possible although I may have signed up to speak in person as well. I have attached a copy of my grievances with Monster by Walter Dean Myers which was assigned to my child to read in English 9 at Godwin High School. January 11, 2023 I met with the Henrico Educational Instructional Review Committee to have this book removed from the school libraries. I found 161 different instances where this book went against R7-05-008 GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION AND REVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS. To my horror many of my issues with this book are due to the mature sexual nature, which was assigned to 13 and 14 year olds. If the school was required to document explicit books it may not result in parents and staff taking the time to meet and discuss each inappropriate book. A simple opt-out would be my preference to dealing with and meeting a shady, hostile library committee. I am available anytime before 9:25am on 1-17-23.
I strongly support Delegate Anderson’s Bill. Meaningful accountability that enables parents to protect their children from explicit sexual material, in the parents’ or guardian’s judgment, is provided by the referenced bill is a necessity as the baseline of protection. The prescribed documentation given today’s technology does not represent a documentation or compliance burden. John D. Moss
It is key for the future to protect our children's minds, bodies, and souls from innapropriate and pornographic material. These materials should Never be allowed in school. Please support bill 1379.
These bills HB1379 and HB1448 amount to banning books. If parents don't want their children exposed to these books they have means to keep these books out of their children's hands. The books on the proposed ban list that I have read actually have significant value for age appropriate readers. I oppose these bills.
I am sorry we have to ask legislators to pass something that is so common sense, frankly. This should pass without objection from any delegate. I would urge representatives to vote for what is basic parental oversight when a child is in the custody of the state outside the direct visual oversight of their child. The state compels attendance, so the least you can do is allow them to shield their child from sexually explicit if not exploitative material during the hours the state has physical custody of the minor child. Thank you.
I am strongly opposed to these bills!
Parents have both the right and the responsibility to know what their children have access to in the school, Far to many have lost their innocence much too early, and the parents didn't know until it was too late. Please vote to protect the precious minds of our children. Thank you.
I oppose this bill.
I oppose HB 1379.
Please let common sense and free speech prevail in our schools. Keep these divisive, political influences out of public schools. We need to protect all our students and provide the best education we can to each of them. This culture war mentality has to stop. Keep politics out of it and let teachers teach.
I support HB1560 I oppose the following bills: HB1379, HB 1434, and HB 1448 As a public education teacher and parent I urge you to stop making our public education system do the bidding of what certain individuals and groups believe and just let us teach. You should have education professionals advising these bills who actually work in the schools bc they would tell you that due diligence is always taken in the libraries! Schools should be safe places for students. Let’s focus our attention on the real problems, funding, educator retention, and constant testing! Happy to speak with anyone anytime and anyone is always welcome to my classroom for a real experience of what education is like!
Bill to support HB 1560 Bills to Oppose HB 1379 HB 1434 HB 1448
Before we had bills like these parents and school libraries worked together to ensure that children read the books most appropriate for them. These bills do nothing to foster relationships between school libraries and parents, instead they put those who care about children in adversarial positions. School library catalogs are already available on school websites to any member of the public which makes many of the requirements within these bills redundant. Adding requirements to notify parents every time a book is checked out puts an undue burden on already understaffed schools. These bills do nothing to further education, they do everything to stifle access and the love of reading.
I am grateful this bill is being discussed. We need to stop sexualizing our children. Protecting their innocence, and guarding them from these perverse books is wise and good. Giving parents control over what material their children chose to read is a productive step toward restoring sanity back to our education system. Thank you for your time and energy to accomplish these goals.
I support this bill.
Please vote no on HB 1379 “Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc.” This bill would likely inflict an expensive burden on our local school districts, for no benefit. Parents who would like to speak with the librarian or visit the school libraries and see what books their children can choose from are already able to do so. Schools who have the resources to create an online catalog have already done so. But taking time and resources away from education to type a list is inappropriate. Our school librarians are trained professionals with expertise in age-appropriate literature. As a parent I’ve found that the school librarian was a wealth of knowledge and was always willing to assist when I had questions. Librarians encouraged my child’s interest and literacy in constructive ways. Please do not inflict these burdens on our public schools.
Bill to support HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. SUPPORT--Will enhance students' mental health and safety, will empower them with knowledge, and will increase their sense of agency HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Puts an undo burden on educational professionals, advances the cause of censorship. HB 1434 Student records; name change, court order required. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Makes life more difficult for students and puts undo burden on parents. HB 1448 Public school library materials; DOE to make recommendations, model policies, selection and removal. STRONGLY OPPOSE--Just another step towards book bans and censorship.
I OPPOSE this bill. School libraries already have a process for choosing books, a parent can review a book and ask for it to be reviewed already. Local school board already have a process in place.
I oppose this bill. We must let the professionals in charge of these resources be responsible for managing these resources without undue oversight and allow them to use their professional judgement in deciding the age appropriateness of resources.
✅ Bill I SUPPORT ✅ 👍🏼 HB 1560 High school students; development of Title IX and sexual harassment prevention training modules. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1379 ❌ Bills I Oppose ❌ 👎🏼 HB 1379 PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARIES; CATALOG OF PRINTED AND AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS, ETC. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1379 👎🏼 HB 1434 STUDENT RECORDS; NAME CHANGE, COURT ORDER REQUIRED. https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?231+sum+HB1434 👎🏼 HB 1448 PUBLIC SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS; DOE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, MODEL POLICIES, SELECTION AND REMOVAL. HTTPS://LIS.VIRGINIA.GOV/CGI-BIN/LEGP604.EXE?231+SUM+HB1448 From, Cynthia Mason, retired VBCPS SPED teacher
We must stop promoting or providing access to sexually explicit materials to children in our schools. Additionally, parents must have the option to know what books the children have access to in school libraries and to opt out of materials with sexually explicit content being loaned to their children. Thank you for your consideration.
I would’ve never thought that I would have to support a law to have public schools tell parents about sexually explicit material in the schools. Those materials were never there until certain school boards and administrations took liberties. There is no reason why sexually explicit materials should be in K-12 public schools, they do not have academic merit and are not necessary in order to educate a child in the core subjects of math , reading, science, etc. I support this bill
HB 1379 Public elementary and secondary school libraries; catalog of printed and audiovisual materials, etc Hello, I am writing to express my support for the HB 1379 bill . I think it’s vitally important that parents have knowledge to what their children are being presented and taught in school and if they choose to opt their child out of receiving or being taught explicit sexual material, they should have the choice and right to do so. I also think it’s important to protect young minds from access to sexually explicit books and graphic materials in school libraries. Children are curious by nature and I think when exposed to very graphic material, it encourages them to potentially engage in such activity that they may not have , if they were not exposed to it . Books that are explicit in sexual content should always be marked as such to make both parent and child aware of their content. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Beth Synowiec Virginia Beach
Libraries are established to provide choice. I oppose any attempts to censor libraries.
I oppose these 2 bills. I oppose any interference with library offerings, interference with access to materials.
I am in full support of Delegate Anderson's bill - the school library is no place for sexually explicit books. I personally have sent back two of three books that my kids have brought home (sophomore in h.s. and 6th grade) in the past 2 months, refusing to allow them to read them. One of the books my sophomore brought home in the first chapter was all about this girl and her sexual promiscuous behavior over the summer. There was absolutely no educational value to this book, and no reason that it should be in the school library. The other two we're just as bad. It's time for people to open their eyes at what our kids are being exposed to, and see what it is creating in our children. The majority of their time is spent in school, therefore that is where the most control should be. If their parents want them to read books like this, there are public libraries, or plenty of online resources for them to obtain them.
I oppose this bill as it is largely redundant. Which school systems in the state don't already have an online catalog of materials for parents to review? My child's school system's libraries uses Destiny for this. Parents already have the ability to email or call their child's teachers and school librarian and have a conversation about which types of books they'd prefer their child not read. This happens every year with books having to do with Halloween, for example. What happened to local control and local conversations between parents and educators? That's where connection and understanding happen versus over-reach by the state into local decision making.
I support HB 1560 and oppose HB 1379, strongly oppose HB 1434 and oppose HB 1448. I am the parent of a 7th and an 8th grader at Marshall Middle School in The Plains, VA.
If you have to ask if something is inappropriate YOU KNOW it is. We have Drug Zones area to protect our children . What happened to the PTA’s in every school? Let’s spend the time and money Protecting our children in the classrooms. Let our children be children a little bit longer. Please VOTE for Bill HB1379.
I oppose this bill.
Dear Delegates, It is a privilege to have the opportunity to address you in support of HB1379. As a 30 year veteran teacher, I can certainly attest that education is not the same as when I began my career. I currently teach 6th grade in a middle school setting and see the innocence of childhood slowly fading year by year as kids are bombarded with subject matter that most are not ready to process with any sense of understanding. I have streetwise kids and kids that still believe in Santa Claus. Parents should feel that their children are in a safe environment when they send them to school. And by safe environment, it becomes more than just physical safety. There are hidden dangers that educators can't protect them from and HB1379 is a beginning to address protecting children from being exposed to inappropriate material without consent from a parent. This is not about any kind of censorship. There are policies in most schools regarding videos teachers can show in a classroom and a parent permission form. It is unfortunate that we need to have similar safeguards regarding library books yet here we are. I'm appalled at titles in my own school library and recently had an eye-opening experience when I took a group of thirty 6th graders to the school library for the Scholastic Book Fair. For sale on shelves were 3 books I noticed as containing highly inappropriate content: child rape, child abuse, excessive profanity, sexual content and language, sexual nudity, and controversial racial commentary. One even had a CONTENT LABEL WARNING-MINOR RESTRICTED. Yet we are selling these books to 11 year old children? I emailed my principal immediately my concerns and inquired if parents were informed that when they sent their kid to school with money for the book fair, that titles such as these ( SHOUT, HEARTSTOPPER, and MONDAYS NOT COMING) were available. My principal got back to me and personally came to my classroom. She explained that she looked further and was told the division had a contract with Scholastic. We can't take books off the shelves. She also stated that she can't know what is in every book in the library. Well, that's a responsibility as principal of a school to know what is being brought into a school. I plead with each of you to not only SUPPORT HB1379, presented by Delegate Anderson, but include protecting children from outside vendors being able to profit from exposing children to inappropriate material. Children are our future and its time we all step up to do the right thing. Support HB1379. Regards, Christy McAnally Distinguished Teacher Virginia Beach
Chair Avoli and members of the K-12 subcommittee, The ACLU of Virginia opposes HB1379 and HB1448. Both bills unnecessarily duplicate the parent notification and review process and/or book removal processes at the school board level. HB1379 would create a substantial burden on school administration and staff to review all print and audio visual materials. It is for these reasons we ask you to oppose HB1379 and HB1448.
Offloading the responsibilities of a parent through legislation is a waste of this body's time. It is the duty of the parent to know or look up media including books and understand their contents to see if they're appropriate according to their values. There has been too much judeo Christian values forced upon the general population. If a certain books make one person uncomfortable doesn't mean that another family will. This is freedom and this comes at a cost of responsibility to uphold your own values and keep them to your family. We cannot offload a parent's responsibility to their children on public servants and educators. The minority of the Christian religion should have no sway on what is taught in public school. If someone takes offense to what is being taught in school you have the option of homeschooling or having a conversation with your kids about your worldview and why it is important to you. Forcing educators and public establishments to bend to an archaic worldview bound by a book full of adultery, nudity, sex and murder. Is your personal choice. We need to keep religion out of legislation and schools as much as possible. To sum up it is your responsibility as a parent to know what media your child is consuming, if as a parent you can't or unwilling to do that responsibility you cannot force your world views through legislation and opinion on everybody else in the population.
Good evening, Providing sexualy explicit materials to children violates many laws, not to mention how disgusting it is. How then is it even a discussion about having it available in school librarys for children, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL children. If the Legislature can't protect our children from this disgrace, then at least provide parents with the information they need to protect them. I ask you to support HB 1379 Thank you, Daniel Ramsey
I support taking books out of school that are not age appropriate. Books about sexual matters are not appropriate for schools to teach, that subject should be discussed between the parents and their children.
I am writing in support of delegate Anderson’s bill. I see no logical reason to block the ability of parents to determine what sexually explicit material is appropriate for their children. The fact that this is a controversial bill is outlandish. We have a rating system for movies that doesn’t allow kids to view inappropriate material. Why would we allow free access to sexually graphic material to underage children without parental consent? Please vote in support of representative Anderson’s bill. Thank you for your consideration Dr. Brad Nadelstein
I urge you to pass HB 1379. Please protect children from pornography. Remove sexually explicit material from schools.
I am disgusted by the content that some library books contain that children are subjected to in our public schools. If the age to see a rated R movie is 17 in theaters, unless accompanied by an adult, why can a child check out a book that contains sexual context in our public school libraries without parental consent? It truly makes no sense. Can a child purchase an adult magazine at a convenient store? I’m not asking to ban any books, just asking that my rights as a parent be respected. There are no reasons why these books that this bill is in reference to should be available in our public schools or a book store without parental consent.
I oppose HB 1379 to require school principals to prepare a catalog of printed and audio visual materials with graphic sexual content for parents to review and opt out if they choose.
Please vote to pass HB 1379. This bill will allow parents to know what is in libraries and will allow parents to opt out of sexually explicit books that are to be loaned out. This is a fundamental right of parents who are providers and sole caregivers to their children! Pass this bill!
From what I've read, this bill will give parents the ability to know what sexually explicit books are in school libraries and to be able to opt out of schools loaning these books to their children. If our lawmakers are representing the will of the people, why would they allow sexually explicit material to be in School libraries at all? Responsible, adult Virginians are trusting you to look out for the well-being of our children. The sole purpose of having these books in school libraries is to promote the sexualization of children, which is generally regarded as a crime. Children under 18 can not purchase adult/pornographic books, movies, etc., so why would these items be allowed in a school library? If a State lawmaker started reading one of these books out loud during a legislative session, they'd be declared "out of order" and forced to stop. So please do the right & responsible thing and tighten up this legislation so that sexually explicit books are not available to minors via their school libraries.
Good day, This bill, though we'll intentioned, does not go far enough! There is absolutely no reason to have any pornographic or sexually explicit books in school libraries. The K-12 students should not be exposed to it at all. There is a difference between traditional Sex Ed and smut materials being available to our children. It also just adds more bureaucratic layers for schools to jump through, they have enough to do. This could even be justification for yet another administrative position hire in each school, where will that funding come from? Sincerely, James Kanta
On HB 1379- Anderson; Sexually Explicit Material. Support the Bill. The smartest folks in the room seem to be lost on child development and the effects sexually explicit materials have on a developing brain. Protect kids. Pass the Bill. On HB 1592 - Davis; a step in the right direction. We can start by notifying parents of any referral to discipline. After so many referrals, parents are required to have meetings. If we can’t get a cooperative agreement, parents and students take classes on boundaries, etc.
This should not even be an issue. Parents are expected to take responsibility for their minor children when they commit a crime, are around a gun, feed, clothe, and house them, yet somehow some people think parents shouldn't have transparency when it comes to how the children are educated. And to what extend. If you are trying to push homeschooling or private schooling, then by all means continue to take parental rights away. If you support public education then everything about public education should be transparent with parents having a say in their minor children.
While I agree, that censorship in almost any form is not good for democracy, I believe this bill is highly appropriate at this time with societies values heading to extremes never seen before. Parents not only have the right, but the obligation to raise children in the manor they feel is best. This bill doesn't forbid materials, but does give the parents the tools and ability to control the items they find objectionable.
I'm not sure why taxpayer money is spent on books with graphic sexual content when a student can gain access from a computer at home. Perhaps this money would be better spent on mathematics, science, and other nonsexual topics while lifting overall test scores in middle and high school populations. Regardless, this bill is a reasonable attempt to address the books which are being snuck into libraries without parental knowledge or consent. I hope every Delegate will consider the important roles that parents and taxpayers pay in education and vote "yes" on this bill.
I would like the ability to opt out of schools that allow books that promote and enable the sexualization of our children. We need to return the values that founded our great nation back to our schools.
I would like parents to have the ability to know what sexually explicit books are in school libraries and to be able to opt out of schools loaning these books to their children.
Please get all sexually explicit books out of the school libraries. So much is becoming normalised, it makes me sick. Children and teenagers should be learning good boundaries right now from their parents. Whether they are or not, these disgusting books are only going to confuse them and result in bad choices. I pray to God for our youth today. The very people meant to teach our children reading, writing and arithmetic are sabotaging their future and setting them up to live lives of dysfunction, confusion and victimhood! God bless our teachers and may they seek God’s guidance when molding young minds.
I am fully in favor of this bill and after reviewing it in full want to ensure that the limitations proposed would not be limited to images/videos but also applicable to the actual text of the books or other materials. In addition, I would like to ensure that these limitations be applied to any materials educators might choose to use and integrate into their lessons regardless of whether or not they derive from the library. To that end, I would also like to mandate that syllabi for the classes be provided at the outset of each course which clearly define the materials to be integrated into the classroom curriculum. Thank you for your efforts to protect our children and respect the role of parents in their holistic development. Respectfully, John Diamantis, LCSW, MDiv, CSOTP
We fully support this bill. I want to know who wouldn’t support this bill.
HB1379 - I urge legislators to pass this bill so parents are aware of what sexually explicit books are available to their children and they can make a decision based on their values whether their children should be allowed to view much less check out these books. As a taxpayer, mother, and grandmother, I am appalled that taxpayer dollars are even being used to purchase such books for our public schools. Let’s return to teaching our children what they need to learn to be productive members of society with high moral character. I expect that the majority of legislators would want the same for their families. Thank you for your service to the great commonwealth of Virginia.
I support Bill 1379 delegate Tim Anderson’s bill, which gives parents the ability to limit sexually explicit material in the library books of our public schools. I think it’s the best outcome for our society to keep our children’s “innocence” for as long as possible. Children should enjoy childhood and they should not be exposed to sexual material. Thank you!
Please support Bill #1396! So important for the children of the Commonwealth of Virginia!
Comments Document
Please vote IN FAVOR of HB1379. I have researched the books available to children in school libraries and have been astonished by the number of very sexually explicit books available to children (as young as 10 years old) in middle and high schools. Parents aren't even aware these books exist. They must be provided notification and the opportunity to opt-out of their children being given these books. To learn more about the books that have been found in my district's school libraries you can find more info at this website: https://studentsfirstva.com/application/files/2216/5737/6542/Book_Challenge_Summary_Details_Public.pdf I've also attached just one example of a book that was challenged in our district but it was found suitable for children as young as 10 years old. Warning: disturbing images at the end of the document
I fully support this long-overdue bill.