The Latest from VEA

Today, two separate joint resolutions passed out of both the Senate and House Rules Committees.  Both HJ549, sponsored by Delegate Nancy Guy, and SJ 308, sponsored by Senator Louise Lucas, were reported favorably by the House and Senate Rules Committees.

These joint resolutions, both a part of VEA’s Legislative Agenda, directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the impact of COVID-19 on Virginia’s public schools, students, and school employees, including

• examining and determining reasons for barriers to student success in virtual and hybrid models as well as the overall impact of COVID-19 face-to-face learning restrictions on previously existing student achievement gaps, student achievement, and student well-being, including any disproportionate impact on at-risk populations;
• determining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staffing levels, including the impact of teacher and school employee retirements and resignations on delivery of instruction and the ability of local school boards to fully staff their needs, employment levels, and local budgets;
• determining the short-term and projected long-term changes in student enrollment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of such changes on funding levels;
• determining the impact of implementing COVID-19 health and safety measures in public schools;
• evaluating public schools’ level of emergency preparedness to face another pandemic or statewide crisis and making recommendations to help guide planning for such events and
• examining programs that can address learning loss and identifying barriers to implementing those programs, including resource gaps.

In testimony to the House Rules-Studies Committee, VEA President Dr. James Fedderman explained to the committee that HJ 529 would ensure that we LEARN from this pandemic, allowing us to make the policy choices that will better prepare us for the post-COVID environment.  “We need data to guide us, and this bill will help us better understand how we can improve our systems to serve all students, educators, and community members better in the future,” said Fedderman. “This study will give us a solid basis on which to make sure that our future responses best serve our students and our schools.”

Are you ready for Lobby Week-in-Action?  Join VEA Government Relations for our Lobby Week-in-Action Zoom Briefing on Sunday, January 24th, at 2:00 p.m.  Save the Date and Make Sure to Click on the following Zoom link to Join the Briefing on Sunday. https://veanea.zoom.us/j/88517512146?pwd=R0gvdWU3UG9zUE5xNFhYanNwNlRpdz09