I support the notion that schools should be open 5 days a week immediately or the districts should be defunded. Taxpayer money is being wasted. CARES money is being misappropriated. Please help stop the madness and send our kids back now!

Please consider putting these bills into effect.

In favor of programs to better facilitate the development and progress of my community.

The Virginia Education Association (VEA) supports HB 1776 and we urge the committee to favorably report HB 1776. Thank you.

The Virginia Association of School Superintendents is in strong support of HB 1776. The COVID-19 crisis has made it extremely difficult for teachers to meet these requirement as schools have gone from virtual to in-person and back. Thank you, Dr. Tom Smith VASS

I support the notion that schools should be open 5 days a week immediately or the districts should be defunded. Taxpayer money is being wasted. CARES money is being misappropriated. Please help stop the madness and send our kids back now!

The Virginia Association of School Superintendents is in support of HB 1790. This is an issue that impacts all areas of the Commonwealth and will assist in the continuity of learning during periods of extreme weather or emergency situations. Thank you Dr. Tom Smith VASS

Snow days shouldn’t be ended.

I support the notion that schools should be open 5 days a week immediately or the districts should be defunded. Taxpayer money is being wasted. CARES money is being misappropriated. Please help stop the madness and send our kids back now!

I support the notion that schools should be open 5 days a week immediately or the districts should be defunded. Taxpayer money is being wasted. CARES money is being misappropriated. Please help stop the madness and send our kids back now!

The Northam Administration strongly supports this bill.

Dear Members of the House Education Subcommittee: I am writing to you as an educator, a constituent, and a concerned citizen to encourage you to support the work of the Governor’s Commission on African American History Education, specifically in support of the Culturally Competent Virginia Educators bill SB 1196 carried by Senator Mamie Locke, and HB 1904 carried by Delegate Clinton Jenkins. The brutal attack last week on our democracy at the United States Capitol clearly demonstrates the urgent need for better history and civic education in our schools, and better teacher preparation programs. It is not enough to just change or add to the Standards of Learning or revise our state curriculum. We must also ensure all of our educators are equipped with the tools and resources they need to build relationships with all students and help all students learn more complete and truthful narratives about our nation’s past so they can become well informed and engaged citizens who will lead our communities, state, and country in the future.  These changes will not happen overnight, and they will not happen only in K12 social studies classrooms.  All educators, administrators, school, and community leaders must come together now and support this important work.  Our partners in higher education, museums, and cultural sites stand ready to support this work across the Commonwealth, and it is up to you now to support it with legislation that emphasizes culturally competent best teaching practices rooted in specific content knowledge to teach African American history with sensitivity and confidence. Our students deserve no less, and we are counting on you to make the right decisions for their future. This work is more important than ever.  Respectfully, Anne M. Evans Director of Education and Outreach New American History

HB1770 As a parent, I believe school choice is the best evolution of public education. Hampton City Schools have an academy choice program in their high schools, which is essentially school choice and their graduation rates are the highest they have ever been. HB1940 It is extremely important for next-generation Americans to be active in civil and political engagement. HB1904 This bill concerns me greatly. Who gets to decide when someone is "culturally competent"? Is it when they haven't offended someone? Is it when they can quote the class curriculum? Do salaries hinge on the evaluator's definition of "cultural competence"? This sounds a lot like critical race theory and an attempt to further divide our state/country.

Williamsburg James City County Schools has been in a remote learning setting for almost one year, as the schools closed in March 2020. With the exception of 8 days of in person learning last October on a hybrid schedule, we have been forced to stay home for education. Its been a complete disappointment to say the least. I have a second grader who thrives attending school in person. The past year has been extremely challenging for the entire family. I work part time so thankfully I can stay home to sit beside her and help with assignments, because that is truly what it takes to get her through a day of school at home. I also care for a child under the age of 2. The toll the pandemic has caused is devastating for so many. We need to bring back in person learning for these kids as soon as possible FULL TIME, five days a week. If we do not our kids with only suffer more academically and emotionally. I feel as if our school system has let us down this year and unfortunately there is no plan in sight for next year. Enough is enough.

Respected congresspersons and committee members, I am a Virginia educator. I have been teaching for 11 years and I make less than 50,000. Some people argue that teachers do not work in the summer so we should only be paid for 9 or 10 months of work. Please be aware that the summer is a time most teachers work to improve their teaching skills or materials. We have mandatory trainings that must be completed during this time too. Our continuing education is frequently out of our own pocket and it is mandatory to keep our jobs and maintain our state required licenses. We receive a tax credit for some school expenses but I and most other teachers spend way more than the limit for improved materials in our classroom. Not only are we tasked with teaching the lowest income students in an equal manner with more affluent students but there have been consistent cuts in funding for school supplied resources. We as teachers pay for lab supplies, lab equipment, and even the paper for our copies and the students to write on, out of our already low compensation. We are taking up the slack in providing for the low income students that the state is not funding adequately. I have been told that since all kids cannot afford to have a specific school supply that we have to provide it for them or not use it in the classroom. We are also working in buildings that are poorly furnished and in very poor repair. Thus we buy blankets and heaters and other furnishings to help our students be comfortable. My kids come to school hungry and have very little prospect for a good meal at home. I provide snacks to help them be able to feel safe and able to learn. I have a responsibility to my family to control my spending on school related resources. I also have a responsibility to my students to teach in the best way I can, to treat them as if they matter, and that they are equal to everyone else. This kind of funding and support should not be required out of my already substandard pay. I as an individual cannot be responsible for bridging the income gap the state chooses not to cover. My kids are not responsible for this gap and neither am I. Please help resolve this social injustice and support both teachers and the families that need the support many teachers currently provide without being compensated.

Teachers should not have to keep proving the fact that that constantly earn a better pay than what they are given. It is common knowledge that teachers work more than just contracted hours. Even if we only worked contracted hours, we would still deserve more pay. Anyone with common sense would realize that teachers deserve at least the bare minimum of a national average teachers' salary. Can we not give teachers the bare minimum? CCPS can certainly afford to give teachers better pay, no one is being fooled. Give teachers at least the national average of a salary.

Chairperson and Members of the Committee, I strongly support HB1915. Applause!

Teachers often work outside of contract hours and weekends, yet don't get overtime or extra pay for that effort. We go to school to get our degrees for the same amount of time as many other professionals, but are paid like a person right out of high school. Without teachers we wouldn't have our doctors, nurses, firefighters, tech geniuses, etc. If this year has taught us anything it is that the majority of people do not want to homeschool their children and that is okay. It is okay because you have dedicated people who often spend money out of their already small paycheck to buy things to make their classroom even greater. You keep talking about how we need to get kids back in school to start making things better overall after the pandemic and we have stepped up and done what needs to be done. If it is so important that students get back, then why is it not so important to pay those people that make this possible? Many teachers are forced to work multiple jobs just to make sure they can pay their bills. Teacher deserve a wage that reflects the dedicated, hard-working professionals that they are.

This is to urge you to support the increase of teacher’s salaries in the Commonwealth of Virginia to or above the national average. As you know teachers often work beyond the scope of their work day and often use their own resources to supplement the learning experience. In addition we loose good teacher’s to higher paying professions.

HB1915- Children are the future. Teachers care for our future and should be paid in a way that reflects the sentiment that we care for the future of our country. HB1987- This should be allowed for mental health especially. Many mental health in-person appointments are missed because someone’s mental illness keeps them from leaving the house or the person doesn’t have childcare at the time where they need to make the appointment. Telehealth will help with accessibility.

Dear Sirs or Madams, Please consider putting this through, may teachers like myself are struggling to feed our own kids and to provide for our our families on our current salary. We are constantly asked to go above and beyond our hours of work, for our students and often leave our own children to be looked after with expense that is not covered or one that we have to spend. We are losing our best staff to other career paths due to the fact they can't make a life financially with our current pay. Please consider as many of us have had to work to drastically change and pivot on daily basis's between virtual and in class or both at the same time.

Please consider putting these bills into effect.

In favor of programs to better facilitate the development and progress of my community.

Teachers in Virginia are some of the most dedicated and invested I have ever seen. They have adapted quickly, professionally and effectively when COVID 19 has thrown curveball after curveball. The fact that teachers in Virginia are so underpaid, especially when considering the relative wealth in the state of Virginia is simply embarrassing. Teachers are professionals, and should be paid as such. Paying teachers AT the national average should quite honestly not be something that we have to fight for. With the teacher shortage in Virginia continuing to grow, giving teachers a competitive salary is an investment in the children of Virginia. I am a 6th year teacher, and I can guarantee that my instruction now is far better than it was my first few years; and I know it will continue to improve as long as I stay in the classroom. Children deserve teachers who have been in the classroom long enough to truly understand their needs and have the tools to meet their needs. New teachers need veteran teachers to mentor them and guide them along their way. Teachers in Virginia are leaving this profession in such a way that there soon will be no veteran teachers. People say teachers don’t teach for the money but, to be honest, we do. Yes we teach because we love children and love to help them learn, but this doesn’t pay the bills or provide a comfortable life for our families. Increasing teacher pay to AT LEAST the national average would allow teachers to stay in this profession. Teachers would not feel forced out because their pay can no longer comfortably support their family.

I would like to voice my support of this bill. Teachers have the highest wage penalty out of all 50 states and DC compared to other adults with bachelor's degrees according the analysis by the Economic Policy Institute This means Virginia has the least competitive teacher salary in the country There is a growing shortage of teachers throughout the state and workforce supply is projected to get worse over the coming decade Thank you again for your time and I urge you to vote yes on this bill.

Regarding HB1915 - Mugler -- teacher pay in Virginia is far below what it should be. As a parent of a student in secondary school in Montgomery County in Southwest VA, we - families, students, teachers, and our schools *desperately* need you to actually fund real, quality education, a big part of which is competitive teacher pay! They have one of the hardest and most important positions in our communities. In many ways we are asking teachers to do more and more and these priorities are important! To increase equitable, culturally responsive education and improve curriculum, to provide online education in the face of a massive pandemic, to enact Standards of Quality, to care for and be fully present and active in providing the best education for all students in Virginia, and then we pay one of the LOWEST pay rates for educators across the country! We need to fully fund our schools, and this means fully funding our important teachers! Regarding HB 1940 - Rasoul - Students; guidelines on excused student absences, civic or political engagement. Engaging in civic or political engagement is a core foundation of our democracy. As a parent in Montgomery County, I believe my daughters, and all students will only gain from being part of these activities and we should do everything we can to support and make it easy for students to do so. I urge the committee to pass and report this bill for voting and to support it when it comes up for a vote. Thank you for the opportunity to share comments. Sincerely, Virginia Pannabecker 705 S. Main St., Apt A-3, Blacksburg, VA 24060

I'm a teacher in Gloucester County who is experiencing living paycheck to paycheck because Virginia teachers are paid under an acceptable salary. I should not have to worry about healthcare expenses as a salaried employee, which is the reality I am living in right now. I have an upcoming surgery and have been dealing with physical therapy, respectively, and I'm worried about credit card debt and use of my money for daily living at the same time. If we are as respected and as needed as you all say we are, then our health and living should be taken care of. We deserve higher wages.

As a teacher for Fairfax county schools I think it’s imperative that we give educators the competitive salaries they deserve reflective of the important work we do. I have devoted my life to this field and have utmost respect to my fellow educators who for years have sacrificed for their students. Many educators cannot afford their own cars or are living in debt cycles especially if they have children of their own. We need to pay our teachers better to have happier teachers and better teacher retention. Thank you for your consideration on this important topic.

I support HB1915. Virginia's teachers are the lowest paid in the country - this is not a point of pride for Virginia. Please take action so that Virginia's public education system does not decline. Teacher shortages will only get worse if something is not done about the pay gap. Please pass this legislation.

VA has the least competitive teacher salary in the country. There is a growing shortage of teachers throughout the state and it is projected to get worse over the next 10 years. The Commonwealth needs to fund teacher salaries at or above the national average. Enacting and fully funding the provisions of HB1915 will more adequately compensate teachers and reduce the projected shortage of staff.

I am writing in support of HB1915. I have been a teacher for 20 years. We struggle to attract and keep teachers. Our job expectations have increased, but our salaries have remained abysmal. Teachers are choosing to leave the profession because they no longer feel valued. Why would they feel valued when Virginia's salaries are the least competitive in the country. There are teacher shortages everywhere and Virginia is no different. We must attract and retain young professionals. As a state we can not continue to put education professionals on the back burner. If we want to continue to bring new teachers into the profession and retain veteran teachers we must compensate them. I came to Virginia 25 years ago to teach. I saw opportunity for professional growth, strong educational supports and a state government that valued education. As the years passed, I feel like policies and budget cuts have chipped away at those values. Teachers are professionals. They need to be treated as such and compensated in a way that reaffirms that Virginia values education. Please support bringing teacher salaries to the level (or above the level) or the national average. Help put education first. Thank you for your time.

I am writing to urge you to pass HB1915 to require teachers be paid at or above the national average. Please eliminate the wage penalty and enable teachers to earn a competitive teacher salary. A shortage of teachers throughout the state will harm the Commonwealth's students, all of whom are deserving of high quality teachers, especially in the aftermath of closed schools due to the pandemic.

The Code of Virginia (§22.1-289.1) states: It is a goal of the Commonwealth that its public school teachers be compensated at a rate that is competitive in order to attract and keep highly qualified teachers. As used in this section, “competitive” means, at a minimum, at or above the national average teacher salary. According to the most recent state-by-state comparison, Virginia’s average teacher salary is $9,037 below the national average, which ranks our state 33rd nationally. In contrast, Virginia continually ranks among the wealthiest states in the country, most recently ranking 11th nationally in median household income. State support for public education continues to lag behind pre-recession levels. Going into the 2019-20 school year, state spending per pupil (inflation-adjusted) was 8% lower than it was in 2008-09. While some ground was made up during the 2020 regular session of the General Assembly, all new spending was unallotted at the reconvened session with very little restored during the special session. State funding per student is still down 4% this year compared to FY09. This reduced spending translates not only to lower salaries but to fewer teachers and support staff, larger classes, reduced course offerings, outdated materials, reduced access to technology and delayed building improvements. These effects are most keenly felt in smaller, rural, and/or less affluent localities that are less able to make up for the loss of state support at the local level. Among the proposed budget amendments introduced last month, Governor Ralph Northam included a 2% bonus for SOQ funded instructional and support positions in FY22, contingent on general fund revenues meeting the forecast for FY21. Alternatively, the governor stated he intends to push for the one-time bonus to be converted to a permanent pay raise of at least 2% if revenues continue to come in ahead of forecast. The VEA appreciates the governor’s recognition that our educators have put themselves and their families at risk and have worked tirelessly taking care of our students throughout the pandemic, but bonuses do not lift educator salaries. Delegate Mugler's bill, HB 1915, will provide a solid path to increasing educator pay to the national average. The VEA supports HB 1915 and we call on all Education Committee Members, as well as, the full Virginia General Assembly to sign-on in support of HB 1915. Let's show educators that the Commonwealth values them for their unwavering dedication to the profession of public education and to the students they teach.

Teachers have the highest wage penalty out of all 50 states and DC compared to other adults with bachelor's degrees according the analysis by the Economic Policy Institute. This means Virginia has the least competitive teacher salary in the country. There is a growing shortage of teachers throughout the state and workforce supply is projected to get worse over the coming decade . Please compensate public school teachers at a rate that is at or above the national average. Please fund a 4.5 percent annual increase from the 2022-23 school year through the 2026-27 school year This starts July 1, 2022, which is the next budget period, so our current shortfall will not affect it Thank you.

Virginia ASCD strongly supports adjustments to teacher salaries that will bring them in line with those of surrounding states, help to mitigate our growing problem with teacher shortages, and enable teachers to live and raise their families in the communities in which they work.

I ask you to consider increasing the salary levels for teachers in VA to or above the national level. Right now, school districts in VA are struggling to retain and hire teachers because VA has one of the lowest pay. Teachers are so important for our economy to function, as this pandemic has shown us. Lets reward all their efforts and hard work fairly.

Hello, My name is Molly McFadden and I am a special education teacher (#1 critical teaching area in VA based on VDOE https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/workforce_data/index.shtml) in Chesterfield County. This is my 9th year teaching, 8 of which have been with Chesterfield County, and 1 year working in Richmond Public Schools with Fit4Kids as a Wellness Integrator. After reviewing the data about VA teacher pay (https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2020/RD40/PDF), I am heart broken at what I read. I know we have always been underpaid, but I had no idea how much lower we are than other states. Our percent change in salary from 1999-2000 to 2016-2017 is -8.1 (https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d17/tables/dt17_211.60.asp). Virginia ranks #32 in national average salaries (https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2020/RD40/PDF). In VA, teachers have the highest wage penalty out of all 50 states and DC compared to other adults with bachelor's degrees (https://www.epi.org/publication/teacher-pay-penalty-dips-but-persists-in-2019-public-school-teachers-earn-about-20-less-in-weekly-wages-than-nonteacher-college-graduates/). How can this be true? The graphs on that website are an incredible representation of where VA stands. Chesterfield County did a study this year looking at teacher salary and teacher retention. It found that as a county, the teacher salaries are less than the average of surrounding counties. It also found that the main reason teachers leave the county is for better pay and more career opportunities. This year, more than any other year, has made me question my choice of this profession. Chesterfield just voted on Tuesday (1/12/21) to send all students back to school 5 days a week during the Covid-19 global pandemic. Teacher morale is lower than I have ever seen. I can plead for more pay, as so many have done before me. I can tell stories about my wonderful students, how much I love them, and what we accomplish everyday. These things have been said time and time again. As a society, teachers are expected to do their job and accept "thank yous" and "jean passes" as reward enough. It's not enough, and it hasn't been for a long time as shown by the amount of amazing teachers who leave the profession. The money is there and can be found to give teachers. I hope a silver lining of schools being closed this past year due to Covid-19 is that everyone truly sees how important teachers are and the role we play in society. Thank you for your work and support for HB1915. Feel free to visit me and my class anytime, we would love to have you and show you the wonderful work we are doing. Molly McFadden, mollyLmcfadden@gmail.com

HB1915 is a necessary start to improving teacher pay in Virginia. I say a start, because even the national average pay is not adequate to cover the educational investment I have made to be a teacher, the out of pocket investment put into my classroom, or the personal investment and liability I take on as a Middle School Science Teacher for the City of Richmond. Over the years at the old building where I work, my health has also suffered. I have broken out in a full body rash multiple times after teaching in the building during the winter, and I believe it to be due to mold spores. The air ducts and broiler system are old and dysfunctional. An air quality test was done over a year ago, and I cannot get access to the report. I have entered my classroom many mornings to find the temperature registering at 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The out of pocket money I have spent on medical expenses and climate/air quality improvements is absurd. I love teaching. But I’m not sure it’s worth these investments and the tolls they are taking on my physical and financial health. Please help.

Virginia's average teaching salaries are below the national average. Apart from that, in Chesterfield, we were told that we are welcoming back students 5 days a week beginning February 1st. We have not been given specifics as to when we are receiving the vaccine, and we received an email asking us to cancel appointments for vaccines at other locations because the end result could be wasted vaccines. Chesterfield County prides themselves on being a "good" school district, but consistently acts without considering their teachers-despite their teachers being the very reason Chesterfield County can continue to offer an excellent education to their students. We deserve to be paid at least the national average, and I believe we should be paid more. We have been put in a dangerous environment where our health, and the health of those in our households, is being put at risk. The current salary is, frankly, a disgrace to the wonderful educators that are risking their safety and their lives educating classes full of students during a national pandemic. Pay teachers what they deserve to the paid so that quality teachers do not continue to leave the profession in favor of a profession that pays a more livable wage.

As someone who comes from a long family line of teachers, I am fully supportive of this bill. If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that teachers are the backbone of society & this is the way to repay them for going above and beyond to shape the lives of everyone going through the public education system!

Mr. Chair and Members of the Committee, I strongly support HB 1915. Thank You

Teachers are struggling to be compensated at a more competitive rate. I started my career teaching 9 years ago after working 6 years in the corporate field. I have seen many highly qualified teachers leave to pursue private sector jobs because they simply cannot make ends meet teaching. Almost all teachers I know have some kind of “side hustle” to supplement our income. My husband has been teaching for 15 years and we have two kids. Owning a townhouse in Burke, VA, we had to live with my in-laws for 1.5 years to get the money to successfully live on our own. Since then, my husband has had 3 additional jobs he juggles on top of his teaching gig to help us meet the bills, save for our sons’ college funds, and get to enjoy life. Currently, he works at the gym two days in the morning (T/Th at 6 am), teaches an additional section of English online for FCPS on Tuesday nights at 6 pm, and has a weekend job where he scores UFC fights for a statistical analysis company in downtown DC. Last year, I additionally worked for online campus and taught Tuesday nights at 8 PM do that we could pay off our SUV and save some money. We work hard! We aren’t the only teachers working for additional income to make ends meet; almost all of my colleagues have an additional job. I don’t know of too many other jobs where this is the case. Our pay is very dependent on state funding and currently we have freezes on step increases as local jurisdictions struggle to make up the rest. I’d love to say this is my first freeze, but it’s not. I think this pandemic has taught many how hard it is to teach, how passionate teachers are, and how qualified we are. We juggle a lot of responsibilities and we STILL move mountains, despite the daunting tasks put ahead of us this year as we adapted to virtual learning. Please consider this bill. Our futures and that of my 2 and 4-year-old sons depend on it! Thank you.

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, My name is Emily VanDerhoff and I am a first grade teacher in Fairfax County and a member of the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 2401. I am writing to express my support for HB 1915, sponsored by Delegate Mugler. Virginia has been facing a long-standing teacher shortage which is expected to grow as a result of educators leaving the profession due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators' feelings of being undervalued has reached an all-time high. Our workload has greatly increased as we adapt our instruction for virtual and hybrid teaching. Working 60-70 hour weeks has now become the norm for many teachers, including myself as we put in countless unpaid hours creating the best learning experience we can for our students in an ever-changing environment of pandemic teaching. At the same time, many Virginia districts, including my own are due to enter a second year without a salary step increase or cost of living adjustment because our local government cannot afford to match the state funding for a salary increase in the FY22 budget. Looking at salary data from 2014-2019, salaries for teachers in Virginia were 32.7% lower than the salaries of their college-graduate nonteaching peers. This represents the worst teacher pay penalty out of all 50 states and DC. If Virginia does not take action to raise teacher salaries to compete with the national average, we will continue to lose our most valuable resource in education: our educators. Please vote in favor of HB 1915. Thank you.

Educators leave the field at a rate that is much higher than entry. The entry requirements for teaching alone outweigh the starting pay. This is why many college students do not choose the field of education. Teacher turnover impacts students and therefore society. In order to keep the best teachers, pay needs to raise. The U. S. Department of Education found that as teachers leave the positions are not filled (Carver, Darling-Hammond, 2019). Many teachers must work a second or even third job especially early in their careers just to make ends meet. The Commonwealth needs to invest in the future of the children by investing in the educators of today.

The Virginia Association of School Superintendents is in strong support of HB 1915. We have advocated for several years that a plan be developed to bring teacher salaries to the national level. Dr. Tom Smith VASS

When I saw this bill introduced, my excitement was beyond enough to get me involved and I wanted to follow it through the process of our great legislature. I believe that for far too long, teachers in Virginia have been underfunded. Our average salary ranks 32nd among the states. If this Commonwealth wanted to show it's appreciation to teachers and especially during this pandemic, this bill would go a long way to doing that. I cannot speak for every teacher, but as a current one, I am working two jobs to keep a steady and comfortable income. I understand that money does play a key factor for something like this, however, I believe a budget could be worked out in order to better attract and retain high quality teachers for the great Commonwealth of Virginia. Thank you.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Tyler as well as this whole committee for allowing me to speak in favor of this extremely important piece of legislation. My Name is Ashton Willcox and I am testifying in front of this committee today to speak in favor of HB1940. I am the Vice-Chair of the Teenage-Republican Federation of Virginia. This Bill is crucial for Young People who want to get involved in politics, and will allow them to be excused from school for these reasons. As someone who has worked on more than 5 campaigns, and is now in leadership for two large grassroots organizations I cannot stress enough the importance of being civically involved, and being allowed those opportunities to participate. Through being civically engaged, I have been able to try to make the change I believe in, and strive for policy, campaigns and other changes that I believe are necessary for the commonwealth, both locally and nationally. Specifically passing this bill means a lot to teenage republicans because it allows us to attend our parties nominating conventions without the potential of receiving an unexcused absence from school. If this Bill is enacted, it will encourage civic participation, and allow young people across the commonwealth the opportunity to have their voices heard. It is my generation, and those who attend high schools throughout the commonwealth that will be the leaders of our next generation, and we should encourage that. I am extremely proud that myself and fellow Republicans have teamed up with fellow Teenage Democrats to lobby for this extremely important piece of legislation as we have come together even with our political differences for a bipartisan cause of encouraging civic participation by the youth of this commonwealth. For these reasons, I support HB1940 and I am excited about the impact it will have on Virginia’s Youth in the years to come.

I would like to thank Chairwoman Tyler as well as this whole committee for allowing me to speak in favor of this extremely important piece of legislation. My Name is Ashton Willcox and I am testifying in front of this committee today to speak in favor of HB1940. I am the Vice-Chair of the Teenage-Republican Federation of Virginia. This Bill is crucial for Young People who want to get involved in politics, and will allow them to be excused from school for these reasons. As someone who has worked on more than 5 campaigns, and is now in leadership for two large grassroots organizations I cannot stress enough the importance of being civically involved, and being allowed those opportunities to participate. Through being civically engaged, I have been able to try to make the change I believe in, and strive for policy, campaigns and other changes that I believe are necessary for the commonwealth, both locally and nationally. Specifically passing this bill means a lot to teenage republicans because it allows us to attend our parties nominating conventions without the potential of receiving an unexcused absence from school. If this Bill is enacted, it will encourage civic participation, and allow young people across the commonwealth the opportunity to have their voices heard. It is my generation, and those who attend high schools throughout the commonwealth that will be the leaders of our next generation, and we should encourage that. I am extremely proud that myself and fellow Republicans have teamed up with fellow Teenage Democrats to lobby for this extremely important piece of legislation as we have come together even with our political differences for a bipartisan cause of encouraging civic participation by the youth of this commonwealth. For these reasons, I support HB1940 and I am excited about the impact it will have on Virginia’s Youth in the years to come.

I am here once again on behalf of myself and the Teenage Republican Federation of Virginia to ask for your support on HB 1940. The passage of this bill would not only ensure that middle and high school students have an avenue to get involved in our politcal system, but it would also send a message that the State wants to protect their first amendment rights. Although punishing a student with an excused absence for accessing their first amendment right to attend political events may not directly be limiting their first amendment rights, it certainly does nothing to protect their first amendment rights, which is why in the opinion of myself and the TRFV the state should be the ones to take a stance on this issue instead of school boards. Additionally, I have heard the concerns of those who are concerned that the language of the bill may be too vague, but as a former high school student, I can tell you that students will skip school and most of the time are not worried about the absence being excused and will likely not attempt to make up a politcal event to try and get an excused absence. Therefore opposing the bill based on the potential of the language is too vague would just put students who are or want to get involved in the politcal system at a disadvantage because they would be facing an unexcused absence.

I am Brady Hillis, Chairman of the Teenage Republican Federation of Virginia, today each of you get the unique opportunity of seeing Teenage Republicans and Democrats work together on policy and legislation. During times like these in our nation's history it is more than ever imperative that younger generations work together to strive for the common goal of helping Virginians, I am speaking today to ask for your support for HB1940. This legislation will not only help students get involved with politics but it will create opportunities that students and teenagers will be able to use for career and college readiness. I have heard some of the opposition to this legislation and quite honestly I believe most of the opposition's points are excuses, from the excuse of civic and political not being clearly defined, to some saying we should be leaving it up to the individual school boards. From my experience my school board is politically aligned one way and so are the administrators at my public school, if I were to request for something like this to be passed at the local level the door would be slammed in my face. I hope that the fellow members from my own party will vote their conscience on this bill and not worry about political scorecards or the fact that a member from the opposite party introduced this legislation. Far too many times my party has outright ignored the younger generation and I do believe that this legislation will help mend that divide. HB1940 will get more teenagers involved in the civic process whether that be at the local, state, or federal level. I hope each member today supports the legislation, please do not disappoint the younger generation.

On behalf of the Fairfax County and Alexandria chapters of Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), I would like to express our strong support for H.B. 1940. As volunteer climate advocates, we understand that civic engagement is a habit that takes time for people to form. Encouraging participation starting in middle and high school can help this important habit take root. Our focus in CCL is lobbying Congress for carbon pricing legislation. We do this by meeting with members of Congress or their staff several times a year and conducting outreach and media activities in our communities. Many CCL chapters, including our own, count high school students among their volunteers. We have had the privilege of lobbying alongside students on Capitol Hill, in our districts and, during the pandemic, via videoconference. We have found that members of Congress and other elected officials appreciate hearing from young people, particularly on issues like climate change, which impacts their generation more than any other. For their part, students are empowered by their participation in these activities. Through them, they gain a deeper understanding of our democratic institutions and the importance of being an active citizen. These are critically important lessons that are difficult to impart inside a civics classroom. A formal policy that allows an excused absence for such activities will make it easier for young activists to participate and will send an important message to all students about the value of civic engagement. We thank Del. Rasoul and his co-patrons for introducing this legislation and urge the committee to pass it. Sarah Karush Co-Leader, Fairfax County Chapter Citizens' Climate Lobby

I am commenting on behalf of passing the HB1940 bill to ensure that leaving school is excused when attending political events. Politics is a big part of adolescence and finding your voice, in the 21st century, and all students should be allowed to participate in political events at their own risk without consequences.

The Virginia Association of School Superintendents has concern regarding HB 1940. School divisions often try to work with students in this manner. However, attendance in school must be the first consideration and this bill as drafted is too broad. Thank you, Tom Smith VASS

The Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals OPPOSES passage of HB 1940 and has particular concerns with adding language that would direct principals to excuse a student to attend a political event. Principal discretion is important when reviewing and granting excuses for a student to miss an instructional day; and requests for excused absences are taken seriously and on an individual basis. Responses from principals included concerns about codifying overarching and undefined generic terms and included questions about what would constitute a political event. Would this language include that a student should be excused to campaign for a political candidate? Bet Neale Director of Government Relations VA Association of Secondary School Principals

As a junior at John R. Lewis High School, I believe that providing an opportunity for students to take an excused absence and participate in civic engagement is crucial for all schools across the commonwealth. With this policy already being implemented in Fairfax County Public Schools, I would urge everyone to support HB1940. Firstly, civically engaged youth leads to better and more informed citizens, who are more likely to create change within their community. Although many of us are unable to vote, this would provide us an opportunity to advocate for issues we care about and ensure that we are also being represented by our elected officials. A lot of what we believe often goes unheard, although it will be effecting our generation the most. Voting in favor of this bill will allow us to use our voices and share the needs of this generation. Furthermore, this level of civic engagement will continue throughout our adult life as we later take part in political processes such as voting.

Virginian youth cast 20% of all ballots in this Commonwealth this last federal election according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. The youth of Virginia leads that metric, only tying with Georgians. Virginia students have a desire for engagement in civic life that I have seen amongst my peers as a high school student. Engagement is a habit that should start early and continue. Schools should educate their students about this tremendously important aspect of life and encourage students to discover it. I urge you to resolutely support this bill so that the next generation of voters can start their engagement in politics early. Our Commonwealth deserves to continue placing first in youth civic engagement.

This opportunity for civic engagement is crucial to learning and development.

As a high school senior in albemarle county, I have witnessed firsthand the desire of young people to partake in civic engagement. This bill would allow for teens who otherwise have conflicting schedules to participate in sessions which collide with school hours.

as a student i would really like to be able to be excused to protest my rights and the rights of others

yes this is a good thing

On behalf of John R Lewis High School’s class office and myself: we urge that all students in Virginia can take partial day excused absences to participate and advocate in civic and political events.

This is important especially as a student.

I am a student at Monticello High School in Charlottesville. I believe HB 1940 is important because it allows youth to make our voices heard in our communities and in politics which is currently difficult because most of the significant decision-making goes on during regular school hours. It is especially important that our voices are heard because the decisions that are being made now will determine what our country and communities will look like as we become adults and are of voting age. Our democracy is only able to properly function when the voices of all citizens are heard, respected, and addressed and this bill would help bring us one step closer to this goal.

I am a student at Western Albemarle High School and I see this law as a very important step in inspiring local change and providing opportunities for the youth.

This bill is so important because it will provide youth with an entire window of career opportunities. I know that me, only with many others, wish we had the time to participate more in our community. However, it can be extremely difficult with school. This bill is so important to me, and so many others that wish to advocate in and participate in the community.

The civic engagement bill is essential to raising the next generation of citizens and ensuring that they are politically aware. As a student at McLean High School in Fairfax County, I've already seen the benefits of allowing students to have an excused absence for civic engagement since we had a similar bill pass. It's important that this sort of opportunity is granted to every middle and high school student in the Commonwealth, not just those in FCPS.

I am a student I’m 10th grade The practice of civic engagement has an important impact in educating young people about their rights and responsibilities as citizens and allowing them to develop skill sets that are valuable to them as they undergo the transition to adulthood.

As a student, I think it’s important to engage in civic and political events but a lot of them are during school so it’s conflicting with our education.

Civic engagement bill is important because I’m a student and I got to get the ladies

I am a student and I support this bill because it will energize students to be able to engage with politics they support.

Being a HS student in the commonwealth, I think it’s super important for students to get involved. As we know, there is always a struggle getting people out to vote, but if we start the process of getting our teens involved in their communities it will not only support and help bring communities together, but they will stay together long after these students leave their high and middle schools.

This bill would allow students to welcomed into the democratic process instead of shoved into it at 18. Ibelieve that this bill will lead to more young adult voters as they have introduced to the importance of voting mat a young age and it will not only affect presidential election but hopefully also local elections which in some regards are more important for getting your voice heard. And that’s what this bill is asking, for young people’s voices to be heard in the political arena without being reprimanded.

I am a student

HB1770 As a parent, I believe school choice is the best evolution of public education. Hampton City Schools have an academy choice program in their high schools, which is essentially school choice and their graduation rates are the highest they have ever been. HB1940 It is extremely important for next-generation Americans to be active in civil and political engagement. HB1904 This bill concerns me greatly. Who gets to decide when someone is "culturally competent"? Is it when they haven't offended someone? Is it when they can quote the class curriculum? Do salaries hinge on the evaluator's definition of "cultural competence"? This sounds a lot like critical race theory and an attempt to further divide our state/country.

I'm a high school student, and I've been involved with the Democrats for the past 3 or 4 years. Civic engagement represents one of the most important aspects of democracy, and it must be afforded to all members of that democracy. This is especially true for teens, who cannot vote. Engaging in protests, communicating with our elected officials and volunteering constitute our only means of participating in the democratic process. The fact that some students are denied the opportunity of participating fully in that system undermines the basic tenets of democracy, of ensuring the voices and concerns of all are heard and addresses. Furthermore, civic engagement provides an opportunity for extracurricular education in government and civics. Students may in fact learn more about government and gain more passion for social studies in one day of civic action than in the same amount of time in a classroom.

I am a student in Fairfax County where they have implemented a similar version of this bill. I have witnessed first hand the positive impact that the implementation of an excused day for civic action has. The conversation that arose from this made school a more welcoming place for political and civic conversation. It also made political involvement more of a group activity since many teens enjoy doing things with their peers. Overall this bill has improved political engagement significantly among high school students!

Hello, I am a student at Marshall High School in Falls Church. I believe this is so important because most people in school can’t vote so the least they can do is participate in civic and political events like marches. FCPS has already voted to let kids have an excused absence to attend these events and I think, along with many others, that a new law to let students take part in these events would benefit the entire student population in Virginia. Thank you.