Why do I say right direction?
·
Virginia has been heading in the wrong direction
in its support for public schools since 2009.
In fact, inflation-adjusted state support on a per-pupil basis is 16%
below what it was in 2009.
·
A recent report from MDC reveals that only 8
states have seen a larger disinvestment in public education than Virginia’s.
·
In 2000 Virginia ranked 37th in “Per
Pupil Elementary and Secondary School Revenue from State Sources.” In 2012, we ranked 41st.
·
In 1989, Virginia’s average teacher salary
ranked 18th in the nation at $429 below the national average. Last year we ranked 37th at $7,456
below the national average.
·
In the annual “Quality Counts” report from the
Education Week Research Center, Virginia’s ranking in 2014 was 4th. Our 2015 ranking is 12th.
Our legislators tell us that Virginia is cash-strapped and
cannot afford to invest additional dollars in public education. Let me remind you that Virginia is the 10th
wealthiest state, and that we rank 46th in “State and Local Taxes as
a Percent of Personal Income.” We can do
better! Delegate Krupicka’s HB1590 may
just be the first step in the right direction.
It is unlikely that this bill will pass in this session, but
the good delegate is planting seeds and changing the conversation.
I urge you to read Delegate Krupicka’s op-ed piece fromtoday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Consider clicking here to sign his petition.