Youngkin, Democrats Clash Over Scholarships For Private Schools

In his final session as governor, Glenn Youngkin is touring Virginia alongside Republican lawmakers to rally support for a proposal to provide scholarships for students to attend private schools and other educational expenses. The plan faces strong opposition from Democrats, who argue the funds should remain focused on strengthening public education.

“It doesn’t take a penny away from our record K-12 investment in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Youngkin said at a news conference in Richmond Thursday, emphasizing the initiative’s complementary nature. “This is an ‘and’ moment, we can do both, not an ‘or’ moment.” He noted that similar programs exist in neighboring states like Maryland, North Carolina and the District of Columbia.

The legislation, along with a proposed budget amendment, would create the Virginia Opportunity Scholarship Grant Program, allocating $50 million from the state’s General Fund.

Under the plan, K-12 public school students from households earning no more than twice the federal income eligibility for free school meals could qualify for $5,000 annually. These funds could be used for private school tuition, fees, uniforms, textbooks, transportation, and other educational expenses.

The Virginia Board of Education and Department of the Treasury would establish guidelines for the proposed scholarship program, aimed at “ensuring that all children in the commonwealth have access to quality educational opportunities,” Youngkin said.

The governor, a staunch advocate for education reform, is backing the $50 million scholarship plan following Virginia’s recognition as CNBC’s Top State to Do Business, an honor partly attributed to the strength of its public schools.

Reflecting on the state’s recent accomplishments, Youngkin credited his administration and the General Assembly for working “hard” to bolster K-12 education through increased funding and teacher raises. He argued the scholarship program complements these efforts, offering families more educational options.

“We can have a thriving public school education system that provides multiple pathways and stands for excellence and supports teachers and understands that we must meet children where they are,” Youngkin said. “Part of that is allowing families to possibly choose a route for education that they otherwise may never even contemplate. This isn’t a partisan, this is about our kids, this is about our families.”

Sen. Emily Jordan, R-Suffolk, and Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights, are the latest lawmakers to champion legislation aimed at providing scholarships to help cover private school costs, following previous unsuccessful attempts in the Virginia legislature.

Jordan emphasized that the gap in achievement has widened for Black and Brown communities in recent years, and literary rates have fallen, creating an urgent need for lawmakers to address these disparities. She called for creating a more equitable education system.

“This is not going to be any assault on K-12 education, this is going to be an enhancement to children and families,” Jordan said. “There are families that struggle with transportation and tuition, and with the gaps in math, science and literacy rates in this commonwealth. Turning a blind eye to this is not only wrong, it’s unconscionable at this point with the gaps we’ve seen post COVID.”

Jordan underscored the program’s potential to bridge educational gaps. “If $1 from this opportunity scholarship can help them get transportation to an additional learning lesson and an enhancement, tutoring or the ability to enroll in any program that’s going to enhance their intellectual abilities and plot the course for their future, who are we to say no?” she asked.

Cherry shared his perspective, citing feedback from students struggling with large class sizes and insufficient teachers, as well as parents frustrated by the Standards of Learning model claiming that it doesn’t suit their children’s needs. He highlighted the positive impact that alternative school choices have had on some students.

“Public schools are great for many students, and it is not our intent in any way, shape or form, to disparage the incredible and great work that they do for the majority of our students,” Cherry said. “But that’s not for everyone.”

However, the legislation’s prospects appear dim in the Democratic-controlled House of Delegates. In 2023, similar proposals failed to advance past the halfway point of the session in both the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-majority House.

Democrats and public school advocates argue that diverting students to private schools risks siphoning critical funding from public education, as state funding in Virginia is tied to student enrollment numbers.

“The reality is that our public school system here in Virginia ranks pretty well, and any deviation of funding is a threat,” said House Education Committee Chair Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke,. “We need to be at least paying our teachers the national average. I don’t know where this is coming from, but it certainly won’t get any attraction in this committee.”

Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, was similarly dismissive. Speaking to reporters after the governor’s annual State of the Commonwealth address earlier this week, Lucas noted that this idea has been floated for three consecutive years without success.

Later, Lucas took to social media, posting, “We will never agree to take money from public schools to provide vouchers for private schools. We know what it is, no matter what name is used to market it.”

Despite setbacks in advancing his broader school choice agenda through the legislature, Youngkin has successfully allocated funding to expand laboratory schools, which function similarly to charter schools.

These tuition-free schools provide specialized instruction tailored to high-demand careers such as teaching, computer science, and technology. Developed by higher education institutions, the schools’ curricula are crafted in collaboration with local employers and community organizations and are subject to state review.

Students gain admission through a lottery system.

Will Archer, lead pastor at Potomac Valley Church in Prince William County, praised the initiative in an op-ed for Virginia Scope, calling it a “pathway to opportunity and empowerment” for his congregation and community.

“Our local public schools are an excellent fit for some, providing robust resources and dedicated teachers,” Archer wrote “However, for others, particularly in underserved areas like the ones I have served in over the past 30 years, some public schools have struggled to meet the diverse needs of some students. This is by no means a reflection on the incredible dedication of public school teachers or administrators, but a recognition of the fundamental systemic challenges that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.”

As of Thursday, neither of the school choice bills has been heard in either chamber of the General Assembly.

by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury

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