The Senate
Education and Health Committee reported Delegate LeMunyon's HB 1889 on a 14-1
vote.
YEAS--Martin,
Saslaw, Lucas, Howell, Newman, Blevins, Locke, Barker, Northam, Miller, Smith,
McWaters, Black, Carrico--14.
NAYS--Garrett--1.
This is a VEA
initiated bill to shield teacher Professional Growth Indicators from Freedom of
Information Act requests. This bill now
heads to the full Senate. Thanks Delegate LeMunyon!
I'm not sure who
first said, "Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to
get you," but the sentiment certainly applies to how teachers should feel
as they connect the dots this session.
First, we see
the strong headwind behind Senator Obenshain's SB 934. This bill allows charter schools teachers to
be denied membership in the Virginia Retirement System, and for charter school
teachers to be unlicensed.
Second, we see
Delegate Habeeb's HB 2096 and Senator McDougle's SB 1324. These bills allow for the state takeover of
underperforming schools. Currently, the
number of schools involved is small, but as the state continues to make the SOL
tests more rigorous, and as the scores required for accreditation continue to
rise, one can reasonably assume that this number will grow. The board that governs the newly created
"Opportunity Educational Institution" will be appointed by the
governor. This institution will
presumably contract with corporate entities such as Edison to convert these
underperforming schools to charters.
The teachers in the schools which are taken over can seek a transfer or apply to teach in the charter school. No transfer is guaranteed, and charter employment may not offer VRS and other benefits associated with public school employment. An unintended consequence of this policy will be the reluctance of prospective teachers to take jobs in struggling schools - there would be no job security.
HB 2096 passed
the House on a 66-34 vote. The two
Senate bills passed on 21-20 votes, with all Democrats voting against, all
Republicans voting for, and Lt. Gov. Bolling breaking the tie.
Time will tell,
but it appears to me what we are seeing may well be the beginning of a
long-term degradation of one of the best public school systems in the
nation. Virginia's schools will resemble
the schools in Louisiana, where these ideas came from, as these programs are
implemented.
Tomorrow, I'll ask you to join a last ditch effort to fight this agenda.
Tomorrow, I'll ask you to join a last ditch effort to fight this agenda.
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