Public Comments for 01/14/2025 Education - K-12 Subcommittee
HB1656 - Public secondary schools; interscholastic athletics; certain recruitment policies and practices prohibited.
School Counseling and Psychology should be released from CAEP requirements.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
HB1663 - Public schools; guidelines and policies on student-athlete extreme heat safety and protection.
School Counseling and Psychology should be released from CAEP requirements.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
HB1674 - Professional education programs; exemption for programs leading to certain endorsements.
See attached letter of support.
As a faculty member in James Madison University's School Psychology MA/EdS Program, I urge you to consider passing HB 1674 to eliminate the redundancy and allow school psychology and school counseling programs to focus on just one accreditation process.
The Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE) strongly supports HB 1674, sponsored by Delegate Amy Laufer, to address challenges faced by school psychology and counseling programs in Virginia. VACTE, representing 36 educator preparation programs across public and private institutions, highlights that current state policy requires these programs to comply with dual accreditation standards: one from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and another from their specialized accrediting bodies, such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the American Psychological Association (APA), or the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This dual requirement creates unnecessary redundancy, administrative burden, and complexity, diverting faculty and staff from their primary mission—training highly qualified professionals. HB 1674 would waive CAEP accreditation for programs already accredited by their specialized bodies, aligning Virginia with national CAEP policies and eliminating this duplication. The bill ensures no compromise in program quality or rigor, instead allowing these programs to focus on meeting field-specific standards. This change addresses a pressing need, as Virginia has faced an average of 100 unfilled school psychologist positions and 150 unfilled school counseling positions annually over the past three years. By streamlining accreditation, 17 school counseling programs and 5 school psychology programs in Virginia could operate more efficiently, allocate resources effectively, and better meet workforce demands in schools. HB 1674 provides a critical solution to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, improve program efficiency, and strengthen Virginia’s P-12 schools by addressing the shortage of school counselors and psychologists.
The attachment includes a letter documenting support for HB1674
Please see the attached in support of HB 1674. Thank you! -Jeff Davis UVA School of Education and Human Development
Greetings. Please see the attached support letter for HB1674. Thank you! Sincerely, Christine Christianson
Letter of support for HB 1674, sponsored by Delegate Amy Laufer (District 55) on behalf of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE).
Attached is the VACTE support letter for HB 1674. Thank you!
Support HB 1674 because the current situation is double work for same outcome
See attachment explaining why I support this bill.
I am writing in support of HB 1674 to eliminate the dual accreditation requirement for school psychology and school counseling programs. Due to the rigorous field-specific standards of the above fields, it is redundant and time-intensive to provide evidence of compliance with NASP, APA, CACREP and then CAEP. This elimination actually aligns Virginia's policy with CAEP policy, which provides states with the option to waive CAEP for those specific programs.
As the CACREP liaison for the counselor education programs in the CAEP accredited VCU School of Education, I endorse this bill to eliminate redundacy in the mechanisms that ensure highly rigorous education programs that prepare school counselors. We intend to continue to affirm our CACREP accreditation that requires graduate students to complete 60 credit hours of coursework and 700 hours of field experiences in k-12 schools. CAEP recognizes that CACREP is rigorous and requires programs to prepare future school counselors to meet the current needs of K-12 students. Therefore, only one type of accreditation program is necessary.
We are writing on behalf of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE) to express our strong support for HB 1674, sponsored by Delegate Amy Laufer (District 55). VACTE represents the 36 educator preparation programs across Virginia, including faculty, staff, deans, and administrators within both public and private institutions of higher education. Our membership’s programs span a diverse array of education disciplines, including school psychologists and school counselors. The current Virginia code designates the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as the sole accrediting body for educator preparation programs. While this policy works well for many fields, it creates a unique challenge for school psychology and school counseling programs. These programs are required to meet the accreditation standards of both CAEP and their respective specialized accrediting bodies, such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These specialized accrediting organizations develop rigorous, field-specific standards to ensure the quality of training for school psychologists and counselors. However, the dual accreditation process adds redundancy, complexity, and significant administrative burden. Faculty and staff are stretched thin, focusing on compliance with two separate sets of accreditation standards, rather than on the core mission of educating and training highly qualified professionals. HB 1674 would eliminate this dual accreditation requirement, aligning Virginia's policy with CAEP policy, which allows states to waive CAEP accreditation for specific programs if those programs are accredited by specialized accrediting bodies. Virginia is the exception to the rule and frequently mentioned when CAEP trains new accreditation site reviewers. The bill would provide the flexibility needed to ensure that school psychology and counseling programs in Virginia can focus on the standards that best serve their fields, reducing unnecessary duplication and streamlining the accreditation process. This change would not compromise the quality or rigor of these programs. On the contrary, it would allow faculty and staff to dedicate more time and resources to training the next generation of school counselors and school psychologists, who are in critical demand in our schools. Over the past three years, Virginia has averaged 100 unfilled school psychologist positions and 150 school counseling positions, highlighting the urgency of addressing this workforce gap. HB 1674 would directly benefit 17 school counseling programs and 5 school psychology programs in Virginia. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, we can increase the efficiency of these programs and enhance the quality of education they provide, ultimately strengthening Virginia’s P-12 schools.
Support Letter is attached.
VACTE and Liberty University feel that if a program passes CACREP accreditation successfully, the university should be allowed to use that review to meet the CAEP standards, as outlined by CAEP.
Please support this bill. It removes an unnecessary redundancy in the accreditation process and will free up resources to better prepare educators in Virginia.
The proposed change would not compromise the quality or rigor of the Commonwealth's school psychology or school counseling programs. On the contrary, it would allow faculty and staff to dedicate more time and resources to training the next generation of school counselors and school psychologists, who are in critical demand in our schools. Over the past three years, Virginia has averaged 100 unfilled school psychologist positions and 150 school counseling positions, highlighting the urgency of addressing this workforce gap. HB 1674 would directly benefit 17 school counseling programs and 5 school psychology programs in Virginia. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, we can increase the efficiency of these programs and enhance the quality of education they provide, ultimately strengthening Virginia’s P-12 schools. See attached letter.
I support this effort to allow programs recognized by NASP and accredited by CACREP to be removed from the CAEP review process. CAEP standards are primarily for teacher, or advanced teacher, fields. The standards of CAEP are not an appropriate fit for School Counseling and School Psychology and by forcing them to report under CAEP only create an unnecessary distractions from their primary, and critical, roles. Reviews under CACREP and NASP are comprehensive, field appropriate, and more than enough without the burden of an additional CAEP review. Please approved swiftly! Thank you! Adrienne Sullivan, Falls Church, VA
see attached letter
Remove requirement for dual accredictation for teacher preparation programs.
The attached letter is written in support of HB 1674 by the membership of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators.
Currently, Virginia law mandates the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as the sole accrediting body for educator preparation programs. While this requirement suits many fields, it poses significant challenges for school psychology and counseling programs. These fields must also meet the accreditation standards of their respective specialized organizations, such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These specialized organizations establish rigorous, field-specific standards essential to maintaining the quality of training in their areas. However, the requirement to secure dual accreditation adds unnecessary complexity and administrative strain, diverting resources from the primary mission of preparing competent professionals. HB 1674 addresses this issue by removing the dual accreditation mandate, aligning Virginia’s policies with CAEP guidelines and with the policies in many other states. Under CAEP policy, states may waive CAEP accreditation for programs accredited by specialized accrediting bodies. Virginia’s expectation that programs go through accreditation twice is an outlier, often cited in CAEP training sessions for accreditation site reviewers. This bill would reduce redundancy and enable school psychology and counseling programs to focus on standards that best align with their professional fields without compromising program quality or rigor. By streamlining the accreditation process, faculty and staff would be able to allocate more time and energy toward educating the next generation of school psychologists and counselors—professions that are critically understaffed in Virginia. HB 1674 would directly impact 17 school counseling programs and 5 school psychology programs across Virginia, eliminating unnecessary hurdles and enhancing their efficiency. This change would strengthen the quality of education provided by these programs, ultimately bolstering Virginia’s educational system and better meeting the needs of its students.
See attached letter.
I am writing on behalf of the Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE) to express our strong support for HB 1674. VACTE represents educator preparation programs across Virginia, including faculty, staff, deans, and administrators from 36 educator preparation programs within both public and private institutions of higher education. Our membership's programs span a diverse array of education disciplines, including school psychologists and school counselors. The current Virginia code designates the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as the sole accrediting body for educator preparation programs. While this policy works well for many fields, it creates a unique challenge for school psychology and school counseling programs. These programs are required to meet the accreditation standards of both CAEP and their respective specialized accrediting bodies, such as the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These specialized accrediting organizations develop rigorous, field-specific standards to ensure the quality of training for school psychologists and counselors. However, the dual accreditation process adds redundancy, complexity, and significant administrative burden. Faculty and staff are often stretched thin, focusing on compliance with two separate sets of accreditation standards, rather than on the core mission of educating and training highly qualified professionals. HB 1674 would eliminate this dual accreditation requirement, aligning Virginia's policy with CAEP policy. CAEP policy allows states to waive CAEP accreditation for specific programs if those programs are accredited by specialized accrediting bodies. Virginia is the exception to the rule and is frequently mentioned when CAEP trains new accreditation site reviewers. The bill would provide the flexibility needed to ensure that school psychology and counseling programs in Virginia can focus on the standards that best serve their fields, reducing unnecessary duplication and streamlining the accreditation process. This change would not compromise the quality or rigor of these programs. On the contrary, it would allow faculty and staff to dedicate more time and resources to training the next generation of school counselors and school psychologists, who are in critical demand in our schools. Over the past three years, Virginia has averaged 100 unfilled school psychologist positions and 150 school counseling positions, highlighting the urgency of addressing this workforce gap. HB 1674 would directly benefit 17 school counseling programs and 5 school psychology programs in Virginia. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, we can increase the efficiency of these programs and enhance the quality of education they provide, ultimately strengthening Virginia’s educational system.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
HB1678 - School board policies; parental notification; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household.
Schools are at the heart of our communities and as a former public school teacher I know they serve an important role in educating and keeping kids safe. ALL homes should be provided with safe storage so that every kid in our state can be safe and just be kids.
This is a useless bill and is overreach of government into the personal lives of citizens. Where's the bill on ENSURING that School Divisions actually follow and adhere to Federal and State Regulations for students with disabilities AND prescribing fines individually and in 'acting as' roles for non-compliance with Laws and Regulations. Virginia, get YOUR Educational Federal and State Laws, Rules and Regulations house in order before imposing invasive 'policies' upon your constituents.
This bill interferes into the personal lives of everyone. This has no business in Education. How about you REAFFIRM the REQUIREMENT that each School Board is REQUIRED under IDEA to Provide Education (FAPE) to ALL students in it's jurisdiction, enrolled or not (so they don't keep illegally kicking out Special Education kids, filing false and malicious truancy charges and keeping kids and families in never-ending legal battles over what are the FEDERAL and CIVIL Rights of Children. The Schools have NO BUSINESS interfering in Private Family Matters. How about we make it illegal for teachers and staff to NOT have sexual relations with or abuse children in schools (not ALL do, by FAR, but the instances of this are growing exponentially), so how about we make that illegal....oh, wait!
RE HB 1678: while I fully support the spirit of this bill, it should not be the public school system's responsibility to inform parents of laws that do not pertain directly to education. And while this bill seems an innocuous and small task, one of the reasons we have a nationwide teacher (and administrator) shortage is because of regulations like this that utilize the public school system as the "catch all" social service hub. The administrator that takes care of this is now unable to spend their time doing other, more directly relevant tasks.
I support HB1678 as it could promote the safety of children, teachers, and other staff in schools.
I support HB1678 as it as sometimes all it takes is a nudge from a trusted external party like a school to remind people that there are dangerous items at home that need to be safely stored! The more visibility we can get around safe storage, the fewer gun deaths and poisonings we will have. It is a simple action that can pay massive dividends.
I am writing to express my strong support for HB1678: Lethal Means Awareness, proposed by Delegate Cohen. This bill would require school boards to notify parents about the importance of safely storing firearms and prescription medications. As a Virginian who cares deeply about the safety and well-being of children in our communities, I believe this legislation is a critical step toward protecting our most vulnerable population. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., with gun-related injuries surpassing car accidents, cancer, and other causes. Tragically, many of these deaths are preventable through secure firearm storage. Unsecured guns in homes put children at risk of accidental shootings, suicide, and school violence. Similarly, poisonings and overdoses are the third leading cause of death among children. With the growing opioid crisis and the prevalence of medications in households, it is more important than ever to encourage safe storage practices. This bill is not about infringing on anyone’s rights but about providing families with life-saving information. Schools are trusted community institutions, and sending these reminders through school communications could save lives. We owe it to our children to take every possible step to protect them. Passing HB1678 is a simple, commonsense measure that will raise awareness and help prevent tragedies. Thank you for considering my comment in support of this important bill. Sincerely, Clarissa Dulaney Smith Louisa, Virginia
I support HB1678 as it could save children’s lives.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
As a human, mother, grandmother and citizen of Virginia, I support HB1678 as it will do more than “thoughts and prayers” to keep our children, teachers and school staff safe.
We SUPPORT this bill, as guns are the NUMBER ONE cause of death of children, and poisonings & overdoses are the NUMBER THREE cause of death in children.
I support HB1678 as only 30% of gun-owning households with children store all firearms locked and unloaded (Journal of Urban Health)
Good Morning I strongly urge you to please look at this 6th grade health lesson put into all 8 middle schools in Chesterfield County- my 11 year old received this road map on opioids including names with images on how to use them, then an assignment in that module to go home, find what was in our home then search for images of that drug on the internet and post the pill image with the link where it could be found when looking at things like parental responsibility for narcotic storage. If my 11 year old had overdosed and I had never known about this lesson or homework assignment I would be blamed and have to live with that horror my entire life. When in reality the public school system had introduced the literal roadmap and scavenger hunt to how to use, what to use and then to go seek and find the medications that could have led to her death. Thank you for your time Have a blessed morning Anne Taydus
I strongly support HB1678, requiring schools to send home parental notifications about the safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms. As a gun owner, a survivor of gun suicide loss in high school, and someone who has faced suicidal ideation, I know the devastating consequences when lethal means are accessible during moments of vulnerability. Losing someone I cared about to suicide with an unsecured firearm left a lasting impact, and it’s a tragedy I wouldn’t wish on anyone. This legislation is a simple yet powerful step to prevent such tragedies. By ensuring parents have clear guidance on the importance of securely storing firearms and prescription medications, we can protect lives and promote a culture of responsibility that obviously still respects the Second Amendment. I urge you to pass this bill and prioritize the safety of Virginia’s children and families.
I wanted to write in with my support of HB1678. This bill would require school boards to notify parents of the importance of safe storage of firearms and prescription medication. As a mother and as a pediatrician, I am all too aware of the risks of unsecured items around children, including firearms and medications. Working in the inpatient hospital setting, I have seen many medication ingestions in young children and have had to provide parents with education about safe storage of medications in their home. Such ingestions (and similarly, access to dangerous firearms) could be prevented with parental education. Please consider supporting this important bill.
As a former public school teacher and mom of two young daughters, I know the impact schools have in keeping communities safer. When parents and guardians are provided information about safe storage for firearms and prescriptions, it ensures that our children are going home to safe places where they can play and be kids without the possibility of harm. Several school systems in our state already provide this information-let's make sure every community has the knowledge and reminders for safe storage.
I am a resident of Virginia in 23238. As part of Virginia Moms for Change, a gun violence prevention advocacy group, I am writing with my support of SB1048 as it is so incredibly important for parents to safely store their firearms and prescriptions! Too many tragedies have happened because adults are just not thinking children will find or be curious about these things - they will! As published in the New England Journal of Medicine, guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisoning & overdoses are the #3 cause of death in children. Both of these horrific statistics are so preventable! Let's take steps to get in front of this problem. Sincerely, Andrea Redmond
I strongly support for the native language assessments bill, but it should be modified for only math and science exams in Spanish. Thankfully, the new accountability system will issue school ratings consistent with 22+ year old federal civil rights law, which includes English learners 3 semesters after entering a school in the United States. Such inclusion has received the strong public endorsement of the 2 major national English learner civil rights organizations, Migration Policy Institute and UnidosUS, as well as the major national educational civil rights group The Education Trust (https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/viewcomments.cfm?commentid=226985). The new accountability system will result in the reallocation of billions of public dollars as we’ll finally have a system to accurately identify schools needing support. Notably, Virginia's accountability revamp has the support of the Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama and a Virginia public school parent for 6 years then. Native language assessments are fiscally conservative. Beginning English Learners often are failing SOLs because of lack of English knowledge, not content knowledge. If a school system is educating English Learners properly, funds should not be mistakenly directed to those schools at the cost of helping actual struggling kids at other schools. My Senator Barbara Favola has proposed a budget amendment for $300K to fund such exam translations for Math and Science in Spanish only, which I strongly support. As of 2020, the majority of states funded such assessments, including red states likes Texas, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nebraska. I would refer you to Migration Policy Institute's 2020 white paper on native language assessments (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/MPI-native-lang-assessments_FINAL.pdf).
I support HB1678 because guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisonings and overdoses are the #3 cause of death of children. These are preventable deaths and it is our duty to keep children safe. Requiring school boards to notify parents of the importance of safe storage of firearms and prescription medication is a simple step that could save children's lives.
I'm a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and we support this bill. Guns are the number one killer of children and teens in Virginia. Secure storage laws are a crucial part of the solution. One study found that households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional firearm injuries among children and teens, compared to those that locked neither.
I support HB1678 as the number of guns in homes in my community that are left unlocked with children around is astounding. Educating families that locking guns will prevent deaths is paramount in keeping our children safe in school.
I support HB1678 as it is a commonsense way to keep our children and teens safe. In the US, guns are the #1 cause of death and poisoning and overdoses are the #3 cause of death (New England Journal of Medicine, 2022). Different families have different levels of awareness of household risks, so reminding all parents to work together to make home environments safer helps everyone.
I SUPPORT this bill, as guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisonings & overdoses are the #3 cause of death in children. This is vital information that could help keep our children safe at little cost or effort from the districts.
I support HB1678 as it would require school boards to notify parents of the importance of safe storage of firearms and prescription medication. This can help to prevent unfortunate accidents and help to keep children safe. Guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisonings & overdoses are the #3 cause of death in children.
I support this bill, as guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisonings & overdoses are the #3 cause of death in children. This bill could help prevent serious accidents and protect children.
I support HB1678 as guns are the #1 cause of death of children, and poisonings & overdoses are the #3 cause of death in children. Anything we can do to keep our children safe should be a top priority.
I support HB1678 as it gives parents information about the importance of keeping dangerous substances and firearms out of reach of children. This simple step can help prevent unfortunate accidents that are devastating to families and communities in our Commonwealth.
HB1679 - SOL; Bd. of Education shall prioritize incorporation of assessments in languages other than English.
VADLEN Position Statement for HB1679 & SB 753 The Virginia Dual Educator Network (VADLEN) fully supports Senate Bill 753 and House Bill 1679. These bills advocate for the development and administration of Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments in the most commonly spoken native languages other than English in Virginia. This initiative seeks to provide English Language Learner (ELL) students with equitable access to education by enabling them to demonstrate their knowledge without being hindered by language barriers. Notably, thirty-one states and Washington, D.C. already provide native language standardized testing, setting a precedent for Virginia to follow. By offering SOL assessments in multiple languages, SB753 and HB1679 recognize the linguistic diversity of Virginia’s student population and foster inclusivity. This approach allows the Commonwealth to leverage the full potential of its residents by ensuring that ELL students are assessed based on their subject knowledge rather than their English proficiency. Research from the Migration Policy Institute highlights the importance of native language assessments in providing accurate measures of ELL students’ academic capabilities. Additionally, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) emphasizes the need to support ELL students by promoting policies that ensure fair and meaningful evaluation. These findings reinforce the value of implementing native language SOL assessments to advance educational equity. Implementing this legislation is expected to lead to better educational outcomes for ELL students, fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. It aligns with Virginia’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards and ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their linguistic background. Supporting SB753 and HB1679 is a significant step toward creating a more equitable and inclusive education system in Virginia, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive academically and reach their full potential. Dr. Bettina Staudt President of the Virginia Dual Language Educator Network
Please take serious the comments from Allison Carneiro da Silva from Hanover County. She is speaking the truth! As usual the Left is always lowering standards and expectations for some people. For example, the leftist education system has been using “Latinx.” It is insulting to many people in the Hispanic and Latin communities. Even one of the Spanish translators in Henrico said she was disgusted by this word. Please stop this nonsense, and wasting our taxpayer dollars. There are many students who don’t speak Spanish, but they an indigenous language. Why are ESL teachers teaching English? Again, Democrats don’t think through the facts and make irrational decisions. We all suffer in the end.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
Hamkae Center supports accommodations for multilingual learners have access to include students who would otherwise be unable to demonstrate their knowledge and skills under standard conditions meaningfully. This bill would make the SOL available in certain native languages, giving access and accommodation to students on a path to English proficiency.
Hamkae Center supports this bill
VACIR supports HB1679, because students who are learning Engliah deserve time and support to understand standardized testing. Providing tests in the students native language may give students a better chance to achieve academically, until they are able to be proficient in English.
I strongly support for the native language assessments bill, but it should be modified for only math and science exams in Spanish. Thankfully, the new accountability system will issue school ratings consistent with 22+ year old federal civil rights law, which includes English learners 3 semesters after entering a school in the United States. Such inclusion has received the strong public endorsement of the 2 major national English learner civil rights organizations, Migration Policy Institute and UnidosUS, as well as the major national educational civil rights group The Education Trust (https://townhall.virginia.gov/l/viewcomments.cfm?commentid=226985). The new accountability system will result in the reallocation of billions of public dollars as we’ll finally have a system to accurately identify schools needing support. Notably, Virginia's accountability revamp has the support of the Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama and a Virginia public school parent for 6 years then. Native language assessments are fiscally conservative. Beginning English Learners often are failing SOLs because of lack of English knowledge, not content knowledge. If a school system is educating English Learners properly, funds should not be mistakenly directed to those schools at the cost of helping actual struggling kids at other schools. My Senator Barbara Favola has proposed a budget amendment for $300K to fund such exam translations for Math and Science in Spanish only, which I strongly support. As of 2020, the majority of states funded such assessments, including red states likes Texas, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nebraska. I would refer you to Migration Policy Institute's 2020 white paper on native language assessments (https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/MPI-native-lang-assessments_FINAL.pdf).
I am writing in support of HB 1679 but with a request that it be amended to duplicate SB 753. As a Virginian and a world language educator I applaud the introduction of these bills that, if passed, will allow all students in the Commonwealth to demonstrate their learning without the possible impediment of low English proficiency. This is an excellent first step in addressing the needs of students who have already received instruction in their home/native language. As of spring 2020, 31 states and the District of Columbia offer native language assessments. (Native Language Assessments for K-12 English Learners: Policy Considerations and State Practices/https://www.migrationpolicy.org/research/native-language-assessments-english-learners) There are a number of research findings that indicate that student learning can be more accurately assessed when accommodations are made for low English proficiency, either through home/native language assessments or through assistance in interpreting the meaning of the questions asked (online glosses, cultural explanations, adaptation of the English language used, etc.) The attached table shows the kinds of accommodations that can be made to address the needs of all students. Again, I support the intent of this bill and SB 753 and hope that they pass. It is important to realize, however, that other steps must be taken to assess the learning of students with low literacy in their home/native language and of those non-ELLs receiving instruction in dual-immersion programs. Thank you for your consideration.
My name is Allison Carneiro da Silva and I serve as the Curriculum Specialist for World Languages and ESOL and the Title III Coordinator in Hanover County Public Schools. I am also the Vice President of VOWLS, the Virginia Organization of World Language Supervisors. I reside at 7700 Pinehill Drive, Richmond, VA 23228. In speaking with my counterparts in neighboring school divisions, we share concerns about how these tests would be developed and delivered. We all feel similarly, in that we worry that these bills are being written with good intentions, but with a lack of understanding of how this would really have to be done. I am curious about the inspiration behind these companion bills and how they came about, and where the resources will come from to make these tests a reality. If a child has been learning math in Spanish in a dual language immersion program since early on, it makes sense that the test be available in Spanish. However, if a student has been learning math in English and we don't know if they can read in Arabic (or we don't know how well), it could in fact be detrimental for the student to test in Arabic. In our ESOL programs throughout the state, we assess students' proficiency in English when they enter our schools and each year thereafter. We do not measure their proficiency in their home languages, so we do not know how well they read or if they know academic vocabulary in that language. Speaking a language at home or with friends does not equal academic proficiency and it does not guarantee literacy in that language. Additionally, creating the test in another language is a beast of a process and must be done correctly. You cannot simply translate the test into Korean. If a student needs the text to be in Korean because they don't know English, they also will be unfamiliar with the cultural context of some of the texts, meaning the situation would also have to be changed to one that is relevant to Korean. There is also the question of equity. If tests are offered in Spanish and Arabic because we have many speakers of those languages in Virginia, what about the students who speak Dari or Gujarati? They will not necessarily have this option. I feel like these bills are fraught with opportunities to complicate things further and take the focus away from what we really need to be doing, which is making the current tests accessible to all learners. What tools can be provided in the testing platform (such as an online dictionary or other scaffolding)? Can language be simplified for ELs at lower proficiency levels? Teachers often ask for instructional materials to be translated, thinking that will be helpful to students, and ESOL teachers regularly must redirect them to provide scaffolds and supports so that students can learn English. As we know, you don't learn Spanish by speaking English, and you don't learn English by speaking Spanish. Providing tests in other languages will take a great deal of training and financial resources that might be better spent training teachers to work with ELs and providing educational resources. All of this being said, I am not necessarily against this proposed legislation. I just want to make sure it is being done correctly if it will be done. I feel strongly that the voice of language educators must be included in the development of any bill around EL instruction and assessment. I appreciate your time and consideration.
HB1700 - School boards; bleeding control programs, bleeding control kits.
I am a surgeon in Williamsburg, VA and represent the Virginia Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. The most important time to intervene for trauma is the so called Golden Hour immediately after the trauma occurs. The Stop The Bleed Kits provide the resources necessary to intervene during that hour. They provide gauze both plain and with a hemostatic agent as well as a tourniquet. They also have gloves, scissors, and the other necessary resources to help stop the bleed while responders are en route. These kits have been used from surfing injuries in Maryland to 4 wheeler injuries in Iowa. Having these kits at school will help provide the ability to intervene early. The estimated cost for these kits ranges from $116,870 for the lowest price kit at each school to $282,100 for a Stop the Bleed Station at each school. Thank you for your consideration.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
We Support HB1700
HB1740 - Virginia state militia; officers of certain educational institutions; Randolph-Macon Academy.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
HB1806 - Students with disabilities; individualized accommodations and supports during emergency evacuations.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
**Summary of Testimony by Doris Ray on HB 1806: Emergency Plans for Students with Disabilities** Doris Ray, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV), provides testimony supporting HB 1806, which addresses the inclusion of students with disabilities in school emergency planning. Speaking as a lifelong disability advocate and person with disabilities, Ray emphasizes the importance of individualized and enforceable emergency plans for students with disabilities within the framework of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans. She highlights the historical oversight in emergency policies that fail to consider the needs of students with disabilities adequately and stresses the importance of developing inclusive procedures. Ray advocates for collaborative planning involving students, parents, teachers, and school officials, ensuring that these plans are signed, implemented, and enforceable. She urges the committee to adopt HB 1806 with clear accountability measures to protect all students and provide recourse for families if accommodations are not upheld. Ray concludes by reinforcing the urgency of this legislation to safeguard the safety and rights of students with disabilities in public schools.
On behalf of the Arc of Virginia Board of Directors and Staff, I encourage you to support HB1806. This bill ensures that students with disabilities are no longer forgotten in cases of emergencies. By passing this bill, the Commonwealth can enhance student safety, promote preparedness, and safeguard the rights of students. This bill provides support and clarity for our educators by creating clear guidelines during crises. Additionally, this bill in no way threatens family engagement or parental rights, as parents are required to sign off on this addendum in the IEP. Furthermore, the fiscal impact of this bill is Zero. Students, teachers, and safety will benefit from this bill and we hope you support it. We are appreciative of your time and consideration.
In an emergency, such as a lockdown, fire drill or natural disaster, current emergency plans often lack individualized considerations for these unique needs. Emergencies disproportionately impact students with disabilities due to lack of communication supports for nonverbal students, physical barriers for students with mobility challenges and increased sensory overload for students with autism. The IEP is the place to anticipate these considerations and make plans. The IEP is the document that everyone will look to for how to provide for the needs of that student in an emergency and the parents need to be a part of any discussion and agree to the plan. This will ensure student safety, make sure we are complying with Federal Law, strengthen the sense of collaboration between the school and the family, and minimize risk to everyone in the emergency situation. We never want a student left behind. We don’t want confusion over what to do when in the middle of a crisis. Pre-planning is crucial for everyone’s safety and peace of mind. Please vote yes for HB1806.
I urge you to vote yes on HB1806 so that no child is abandoned during a school emergency because they didn't understand the instructions or were adversely affected by the alarm or needed assistance to evacuate.
I wish I had more accommodations as an autistic student. This bill is an excellent start.
HB1818 - School Safety Firearm Detection Software Pilot Program; established.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
As a parent, I support HB1818 because every student should be safe from gun violence in school.
There are many reasons why I am a proponent of this bill. The integration of AI-powered firearms detection systems in schools offers a proactive approach to improving student and staff safety. Here’s why these systems should be implemented statewide in Virginia. 1. Early Threat Detection: AI firearms detection systems can identify weapons in real-time through video surveillance or other sensors. Early detection allows schools to respond to threats before violence occurs, reducing the risk of harm. 2. Enhanced Response Times: By automatically alerting security personnel or law enforcement when a weapon is detected, AI systems significantly improve response times. Faster action can save lives in critical situations. 3. 24/7 Monitoring: Unlike human security personnel, AI systems provide constant vigilance without fatigue, ensuring round-the-clock safety. 4. Reduction of Human Error: AI algorithms are trained to recognize specific patterns and objects, minimizing the chances of oversight or misidentification compared to manual monitoring. 5. Integration with Emergency Systems: Many AI systems can integrate with existing security infrastructure, such as automatic door locks, PA systems, and emergency alerts, creating a comprehensive safety net. 6. Cost-Effectiveness Over Time: While the initial investment may be significant, AI systems can reduce long-term costs associated with hiring additional security personnel and addressing incidents. 7. Reassurance for Stakeholders: The presence of advanced safety measures provides peace of mind for parents, teachers, and students, fostering a secure learning environment. 8. Adaptability and Improvement: AI systems improve over time through machine learning, becoming more accurate and efficient in detecting potential threats. By leveraging AI firearms detection, schools can shift from reactive to preventative measures, ensuring that educational environments remain safe and conducive to learning. This technology is a crucial step forward in addressing the growing concern of school violence. Lastly, there are presumably tens of thousands of cameras in operation in schools across the state. Without a brain behind the lens, the cameras do not serve students, facility, and the public whatsoever.
HB1829 - Mathematics teachers; BOE shall take certain regulatory actions relating to add-on endorsements.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
The Virginia Association of School Superintendents stands in support of HB 1604, HB 1829 and HB 1831. Thank you Dr. Tom Smith VASS
The idea of a Virginia Numeracy Act is a good one. However, there are several concerning features of HB 1829. 1) The motive behind the Virginia Literacy Act was pedagogical -- move away from Lucy Calkins and balanced literacy toward a science-based literacy program. A Virginia Numeracy Act should make the same commitment to moving toward a science-based/evidence-based program for math. Unfortunately, this bill does not. Instead, it calls for the same nebulous “best practices” in math instruction that have led to disappointing US student math performance over the last decade. This bill should embrace the Science of Math, just as VLA embraced the Science of Reading. 2) Funding within this bill should be provided to programs that directly serve students, not ones which expand government bureaucracy. There is no need to establish an Office of Mathematics Improvement with 13 new FTE when there is already an existing VDOE Math Office. If more math staff is needed, VDOE should be able to reallocate staff internally. 3) Any Mathematics Advisory Task Force should include parents, business representatives, community members, and STEM professors at four-year universities to ensure diversity of thought and perspectives; the current bill fails to do this. 4) The bill waters down the math requirements for an Advanced Studies diploma, allowing math-lite courses like Data Science/Data Literacy to replace Algebra 2. This is a mistake. Without taking Algebra 2 in high school, students will lose the ability to major in STEM or other quantitative fields in college. Why would we want to curtail students’ future career options? Thank you for your consideration.
The VA NAACP supports: HB 1829 HB 1831
As the former head of the Math Advisory Committee for Arlington Public Schools, I am in strong opposition to the math education bill, which contains 2 controversial components of the rejected and widely unpopular Virginia Math Pathways Initiative (VMPI). First, the bill only talks about “best practices” instructional methods instead of “science-based” or “evidence-based” like the Virginia Literacy Act (VLA) did. Imagine if the VLA funded Lucy Calkins – that’s what this bill does by using “best practices” and omitting “science-based” and “evidence-based”. As currently drafted, this bill funds the current failed approach to math education that has been the standard for the past 30 years and still lacks solid studies. Such non-evidence-based math practices are notably pushed by controversial organizations like the innocuously-named National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Stanford Education Professor Jo Boaler, known as the Lucy Calkins of math. Second, this bill lowers academic standards by allowing students to earn the college track Advanced Studies diploma by taking less rigorous math courses than Algebra 2. More importantly, the result of de-emphasizing Algebra 2 will be less Virginia economically and racially diverse students in lucrative STEM, economics and business careers. That’s not just my opinion, but also the opinion of (i) one of the top African American STEM Professors in the United States, Berkeley Computer Science professor Jelani Nelson and (ii) the Director of Undergraduate Math Studies at Stanford University, Math Professor Brian Conrad. This type of proposal in California resulted in an all-out revolt by the world’s leading STEM professors and professionals. As a result, the University of California does not permit substitution for Algebra II in admissions. A real Virginia Numeracy Act modeled after the Virginia Literacy Act could greatly improve the education of Virginia children. But this backdoor VMPI bill will significantly hurt the math education of Virginia children, especially the most disadvantaged kids.
HB1831 - Public schools; certain calculations in Standards of Quality, support services.
Virginia's current Standards of Quality funding formula underestimates staffing needed to serve students, uses recession era caps to limit funding, and fails to adequately account for the higher costs of educating students in 2025. An entire generation of students have now come and gone through the school system under funding restrictions that were designed to be temporary 15 years ago. The budget crisis is over. The Commonwealth had a $1.2B surplus last year. While we also support an overhaul of the funding system in Virginia, it's disingenuous to continue to study the study while children and educators struggle. Lift the support cap now while working towards a fundamental reboot of the funding system. The Virginia PTA supports HB1831.
The Virginia Assocation of School Superintendents is in strong support of HB 1831 and HB 1954. The items listed in these bill have been on the top of our priorities for a number years. Thank you, Dr. Tom Smith VASS
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
The Virginia Association of School Superintendents stands in support of HB 1604, HB 1829 and HB 1831. Thank you Dr. Tom Smith VASS
The VA NAACP supports: HB 1829 HB 1831
HB1604 - Certain school divisions; cost-savings agreements; requirements.
Dear House of Delegates, I am disheartened by the lack of high expectations and standards for Virginia’s schools. Many politicians and people believe throwing money at the issue will fix it. Nope Where are the parents, guardians of the students who are being disruptive and causing harm? It was Never about the salary! It was always about the poor policies, low standards and expectations for the students. Stop making excuses for some and not the others. All schools must follow The Student Code of Conduct. Fact: there are teachers and administrators who are too lazy to follow the policies and be consistent. I refuse to let this go because I know we must be fair. Schools that allow bad behavior instead of discipline and accountability are shameful. Look at our society now. Please stop covering up bad behaviors with low standards, excuses, and now metal detectors. Stop lowering standards in one place and raising standards in another. Encourage hard work and dedication without government dependency. Please stop dividing us into groups based on race, religion, gender, etc. Where is the home?
The Virginia Association of School Superintendents stands in support of HB 1604, HB 1829 and HB 1831. Thank you Dr. Tom Smith VASS