Our children need the opportunity to succeed

May 22, 2012

The New York Times is reporting on new national conservative plans to funnel public money to private schools and away from our public schools where it is desperately needed. The Times also shares, "'ALEC is a huge player in pushing forward a conservative agenda based on the premise that the free market and private sectors address social problems better than the government,' said Julie Underwood, dean of the school of education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, who has been critical of ALEC's education agenda. Scholarship legislation was approved in Virginia this year and is gaining traction in other states."

Progressive Point: Every Virginia child should have the opportunity to receive a quality public education that prepares them to succeed in a 21st century economy. Virginia should be leading in education, but instead we're copying failed policies pushed by conservative ideologues that are draining money away from community schools. Siphoning money away from our public schools means more overcrowding, fewer quality teachers, and an environment that doesn't prepare students to learn.

There is no higher calling for our Commonwealth than to help our children reach their full potential.  But conservatives would rather cut education funding and take away more teachers from our kids' classrooms than make millionaires and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes. Their new proposal will provide those same corporations more tax breaks while draining public school budgets. It's time to invest in our public schools to make sure all Virginians have the opportunity to succeed.

Get the Facts:

• In 2010, legislation to establish virtual school programs was introduced on behalf of Gov. McDonnell in both the House and Senate and subsequently became law. The legislation, a version of which as been pushed by ALEC's education committee, encourages school divisions to contract with private virtual school companies for student instruction. (ProgressVA)


• McDonnell signed into law a bill to "require Virginia high school students to take at least one virtual course to graduate with a standard or advanced diploma." (Washington Post, April 6, 2012)


• Bob McDonnell has received $55,000 from K12 Inc. and its executives since 2009. (Washington Post November 26, 2011)

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