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2 weeks ago

Board questions EPI placements and administrative fee as finance staff warns of $693,000 FY27 budget gap Educational Partners International presented its teacher‑placement program and defended cost savings; the board asked for a five‑year, dollar‑level comparison and for student‑performance data tied to EPI placements while finance staff said the FY27 operating budget currently shows a $693,000 gap under the Senate revenue scenario.

EPI has successfully placed 62 teachers in Prince George County with a remarkable 95% retention rate, but the board is raising critical questions about costs and student outcomes.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #TeacherPlacement #CulturalExchange #BudgetTransparency

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1 month ago

House education committee reports wide docket of bills, moving dozens of education measures forward The House Committee on Education reported and conformed many bills across higher education and K–12 dockets — including measures on food-pantry grants, governance of higher-ed centers, bullying policies in private schools, AI in schools and several health and parental-notification bills — with multiple substitutes and referrals to Appropriations.

The House Committee on Education is shaking things up with a slew of new bills aimed at transforming both higher education and K-12 policies in Virginia!

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#VA #CivicAccountability #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #PublicSafety

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1 month ago

Educators and administrators clash over FY27 funding strategy as board weighs one‑time reversion funds for tutoring Administration outlined reliance on about $10.2 million in one‑time reversion funds to balance the FY27 operating budget — including $8.5M for face‑to‑face tutoring and $2M for early literacy — while teacher‑union representatives warned that recruitment is funded but retention and classroom supplies remain unfunded.

Tension rises as educators and administrators clash over the FY27 budget, with a staggering $10.2 million in one-time funds at stake for crucial tutoring programs.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #BudgetAccountability #EducationFunding #TeacherRetention

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1 month ago

Sen. Pekarski’s bell-to-bell phone ban advances from House education committee after public testimony The House Committee on Education voted 18–1 to report Senate Bill 108 with substitute, a measure by Sen. Pekarski to prohibit student phone use during the school day; proponents cited reduced bullying and improved focus, while members raised enforcement and local-control concerns.

Virginia's House Committee has overwhelmingly backed a "bell-to-bell" ban on student phone use during school hours, citing improved focus and reduced bullying as key benefits.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #StudentFocus #CitizenPortal #SchoolPolicy #DigitalWellbeing

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1 month ago

Senator Servaiso’s plan to use $1.5 billion 529 surplus for scholarships tabled 21–1 Senator Servaiso proposed placing an estimated $1.5 billion actuarial surplus from Virginia’s 529 plan into an endowment and using approximately $50 million a year of earnings for college scholarships and aid; the House Appropriations Committee voted 21–1 to lay the bill on the table.

Senator Servaiso's bold plan to transform a $1.5 billion surplus from Virginia's 529 plan into scholarships for thousands of students has just been tabled by the House Appropriations Committee.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CollegeAccess #FinancialAid #CitizenPortal #HigherEducation

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1 month ago

Virginia mandates Jan. 6 be taught as ‘violent insurrection,’ ban election fraud claims in schools YouTube video by B.C. Begley

Virginia mandates Jan. 6 be taught as ‘violent insurrection,’ ban election fraud claims in schools
#VirginiaEducation #Jan6Education #PoliticalControversy
www.youtube.com/watch?v=55aW...

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1 month ago

Khan Academy argues AI and training, not silver bullets, are the path to scaled classroom gains Sal Khan and Dr. Phil Masiko discussed Khan Academy's approach to AI tutoring, pilot outcomes, price points (~$15 per student/year), efficacy thresholds (about 18 hours/year) and cited a study showing a 0.44 effect size.

Khan Academy's Sal Khan reveals how AI tools can enhance education without replacing teachers—what's the secret to improving student outcomes?

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #TeacherInvolvement #AIEducation #PersonalizedLearning

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1 month ago

House recedes from substitute to SB203 to align with House-passed licensure language; recorded vote 97–0 The House voted to recede from its substitute to Senate Bill 203 to align the Senate version with the House-passed teacher licensure bill; Delegate Russell moved the motion and the clerk recorded the vote Ayes 97, Noes 0.

In a historic unanimous vote, the House of Delegates has aligned Senate Bill 203 with their recently passed teacher licensure measure, paving the way for critical educational reforms.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #TeacherLicensure #LegislativeProcess

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1 month ago

Senate bill would task DOE with study of shifting unpaid school meal debt from schools to divisions SB42 would direct the Virginia Department of Education to evaluate moving unpaid school meal balances from individual school budgets to school-division accounts and report on fiscal impacts, equity, and best practices after schools used the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The subcommittee reported the bill 8–2.

A new Virginia Senate bill could reshape how unpaid school meal debts are managed, potentially easing financial burdens on individual schools and enhancing access to meals for all students.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #SchoolMealAccess #CitizenPortal #EquityInEducation

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1 month ago

Bill would create DOE work group to study technologies that flag at-risk students SB39 directs the Department of Education to convene a stakeholder workgroup to evaluate student-monitoring products marketed to identify students at risk of harm and to report on privacy, effectiveness, and practices by Nov. 15. The subcommittee unanimously reported and referred the measure to appropriations.

Virginia is taking a bold step with SB39, paving the way for a workgroup to scrutinize technologies aimed at identifying at-risk students and ensuring their safety.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #StudentSafety

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1 month ago

K‑12 subcommittee reports multiple education bills, sends several to appropriations The K‑12 subcommittee reported a package of bills including SB42, SB39 (to appropriations), SB245, SB724, SB63, SB105 (section 1 referral), SB264 (to appropriations), SB109 (substitute), SB685 (substitute), and SB151 (substitute). Vote tallies ranged from unanimous to split votes; several measures were amended or converted to section 1 referrals.

Virginia's K-12 Subcommittee just reported a game-changing slate of education bills aimed at improving student welfare and communication—what's in store for our schools?

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #SchoolNutrition #StudentSupport

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1 month ago

Subcommittee backs guidance directing IEP teams to address bullying of neurodivergent students SB264 would require the Department of Education to develop guidance for IEP teams to consider bullying, harassment, and supports for students with disabilities; the subcommittee removed the word 'teasing' to avoid legal ambiguity and reported the bill 9–0 to appropriations.

Virginia's Senate just took a bold step to protect neurodivergent students by proposing new guidance for IEP teams to tackle bullying and support social skill development!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #DisabilitySupport #BullyingPrevention #InclusiveEducation

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1 month ago

Senate Education & Health committee reports dozens of House bills; most substitutes adopted The committee on Feb. 24 reported and in many cases conformed House bills to Senate substitutes, adopted numerous substitutes and line amendments, and re‑referred several bills to Senate Finance; several items passed unanimously or with clear majorities on electronic tally.

The Senate Education and Health Committee made significant strides on February 24, reporting a multitude of House bills and adopting numerous substitutes with overwhelming support.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #CivicEngagement #LegislativeProcess #PublicPolicy

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1 month ago

Senate committee adopts amendment requiring local assessment for verified high‑school credits The Senate Education and Health Committee adopted a line amendment to a substitute of House Bill 182 (conforming to Senate Bill 427) that requires students earning a verified history/social‑studies credit also to complete and pass a local or equivalent board‑approved assessment; the substitute with the amendment was reported out of committee.

Virginia students earning verified history credits must now tackle local assessments, igniting debate on educational standards!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #HighSchoolGraduation #SocialStudiesReform #LocalAssessment

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1 month ago

Senate committee reports SB30 with amendments after subcommittee spending and tax changes; electronic vote 11-0-3 A Senate committee reported Senate Bill 30 as amended after subcommittee reports that add targeted investments in education, health care, housing and transportation and deliver a $100/$200 tax rebate; the committee agreed to report the bill with an 11-0-3 electronic vote.

The Senate committee just passed an amended budget that promises tax rebates and major investments in education, healthcare, and housing—transforming fiscal relief into action!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #FiscalStewardship

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1 month ago

Subcommittee recommends dozens of education bills; key votes and outcomes The Senate subcommittee moved a large docket of education bills to the full committee. This roundup lists notable bills the panel recommended, the motion outcomes and key details for follow-up.

The Virginia Senate subcommittee has greenlit a wave of critical K–12 education bills, addressing everything from bullying responses to excused absences for military families.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #SchoolAccountability #MentalHealthResources

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1 month ago

House Education Committee reports multiple Senate bills at crossover; several conform to House language The House Committee on Education quickly reported a set of Senate-originated bills to the House floor, moving to conform several to House language and recording roll-call tallies for each report. Key bills addressed teacher contract language, higher-education authority membership, the VCU Health System Authority and school data collection.

The House Education Committee swiftly advanced key Senate bills, aligning them with House language for smoother legislative progress.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #HigherEducation #TeacherContracts #SchoolDataCollection

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1 month ago

Senate education subcommittee reviews SB 30 K–12 proposal with $678 million general fund increase Committee staff briefed the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Education Subcommittee on the governor's introduced budget (SB 30), which proposes a $678 million general‑fund increase to K–12 direct aid, additions to school construction funding, and targeted Department of Education investments.

Virginia's Senate education subcommittee just unveiled a groundbreaking budget proposal, including a stunning $678 million increase for K-12 education and vital investments in school construction and teacher support.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #K12Funding #CitizenPortal

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1 month ago

Health Committee actions: roundup of bills reported, continued, or struck The Senate Health Committee processed a large docket: several education bills were reported to finance, some bills were struck or continued, and a number of measures (including SB200, SB568, SB815, SB820, SB822, SB824, SB555) were reported out or continued with recorded votes; a few items were passed by indefinitely.

The Senate Health Committee just wrapped up a significant session, tackling key education and health bills that could reshape the future of Virginia's schools and nursing homes.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #HealthReform #CommunitySupport #EducationAccess

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1 month ago

Subcommittee advances multiple education bills, tables special-education rewrite for review The Probation Elementary and Secondary Subcommittee advanced several education measures — including bills on restorative discipline, SAT testing during school hours, teacher mentorship pilots, diabetes management and sickle-cell training — and gently tabled a special-education dispute-resolution bill for further review.

Virginia's education landscape is shifting as multiple bills on restorative discipline, SAT testing, and teacher mentorship are advancing while a special-education rewrite is tabled for further review.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #EducationReform

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1 month ago

House education panel adopts substitute to change VMI board composition; superintendent backs bill The House Committee on Education adopted a substitute to House Bill 13-74 to adjust Virginia Military Institute's board composition and require at least six members with senior military experience; VMI's superintendent testified in support and the substitute was reported 12-5.

Virginia Military Institute's governing board is set for a transformation, now requiring at least six members with senior military experience—what does this mean for the future of VMI?

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #LegislativeProcess #GovernanceReform

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1 month ago

House education committee reports dozens of measures across K‑12 and higher education; summary of votes The House Committee on Education reported a broad set of bills — including measures on special education, student health, teacher mobility, school facilities and AI in schools — with roll calls and recommended referrals noted in committee minutes.

The House Committee on Education has just advanced a sweeping array of bills that could reshape K-12 and higher education policies in Virginia!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #TeacherMobility #SpecialEducation #StudentHealth

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1 month ago

House education committee moves to embed at‑risk funding into formula; broad advocacy in support The committee reported a substitute for HB 92 to codify at‑risk and special‑needs add‑on funding into Virginia’s school funding formula after several groups including the Commonwealth Institute, Virginia Education Association and local school officials testified in favor; committee vote 18-1.

Virginia's House Committee has just taken a groundbreaking step toward funding equity by integrating support for low-income and disabled students into the primary school funding formula.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #FundingEquity #CitizenPortal #AtRiskStudents #SpecialNeedSupport

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1 month ago

Subcommittee tables House Bill 941 on requiring hands-on bleeding-control training for graduation House Bill 941, which would add hands-on bleeding-control kit practice to high school graduation requirements with delayed effect on the FY28 graduating class, was tabled by the subcommittee after a motion to table.

A proposed bill to make hands-on bleeding-control training a high school graduation requirement has been tabled, leaving future students' safety in question.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #SafetyTraining #CitizenPortal #HealthEducation #LegislativeAction

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2 months ago

K‑12 subcommittee advances slate of education bills, sending several to appropriations The House K‑12 Subcommittee moved multiple bills forward on Feb. 11, advancing measures on special education placement, indoor air quality, diabetes care in schools, CTE flexibility and driver education; several were amended and reported to appropriations or carried forward.

Virginia's K-12 Subcommittee is shaking up education with a series of pivotal bills aimed at improving special education, indoor air quality, and teacher retention!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #IndoorAirQuality #SpecialEducation #DriverSafety

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2 months ago

Committee clears a slate of K–12 bills; subcommittee reports send multiple bills forward The House education committee’s subcommittee reports and full-committee actions advanced a range of K–12 bills — from school meals and post-secondary transition programs for students with disabilities to diploma seals and bleeding-control training — mostly by comfortable margins, with several referred to appropriations.

Virginia’s House education committee just propelled a series of game-changing K–12 bills aimed at enhancing school meals, supporting students with disabilities, and even requiring bleeding-control training for graduation!

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #K12Reform

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2 months ago

Committee converts CTE incentives bill to study and tables substitute (HB 987) HB 987, aimed at addressing CTE teacher shortages and incentives, was revised on the floor to a study of potential incentives and then gently laid on the table on a 5–2 vote. Testimony urged studying a range of subjects where teacher shortages exist.

Virginia's HB 987 shifts from a bold incentive plan for CTE teachers to a study addressing critical workforce shortages—what's next for education in the state?

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #TeacherShortages #WorkforceDevelopment #IncentivePrograms

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2 months ago

Subcommittee moves multiple K‑12 bills; votes and committee actions at a glance The joint subcommittee considered nine K‑12 bills covering mental health guidance, textbooks, language access, labor protections, school safety devices, health insurance data, and at‑risk add‑on uses; several substitutes were adopted, some bills were tabled or continued, and multiple recorded tallies in the transcript are garbled or inconsistent.

Virginia's joint subcommittee just took significant steps on multiple K-12 bills, addressing everything from mental health supports to school safety devices—what changes could this mean for our students?

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport

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2 months ago

Subcommittee advances bill to let at‑risk add‑on funds pay for licensed school health staff A Virginia joint subcommittee reported House Bill 1 95 to expand permitted uses of at‑risk add‑on funds to support students' physical and mental health — including certain licensed nursing positions — after supporters from the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and the Virginia Association of Counties spoke in favor.

A new bill in Virginia could transform how at-risk funding is used, prioritizing students' mental and physical health with dedicated nursing positions.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #HealthInitiatives #AtRiskSupport #MentalHealth

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2 months ago

House education committee advances SOL testing overhaul, sends omnibus bill to appropriations A House education subcommittee voted to report an omnibus Standards of Learning testing bill and related measures to appropriations after patrons and education groups described changes to testing timing, alternative assessments and protections for special education students.

Virginia's House Bill 299 is set to revolutionize SOL testing by introducing flexible timelines and crucial protections for special education students.

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#VA #VirginiaEducation #CitizenPortal #EducationReform #SpecialEducation #AssessmentModernization