Background
Why the Alliance for Virginia’s Students Has Come Together
- There is an impending crisis in Virginia education, and we have a responsibility to inform Virginians and their leaders that action is needed.
- Virginia’s economic health is dependent on a well-qualified workforce, especially in the global and information-based economy.
- Many students in Virginia’s public schools are at risk of not learning what is required to earn a high school diploma, enroll in a college or university or enter the job market.
- Both the Board of Education and Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission reports have verified that the State is significantly underfunding K-12 education.
- State funding for public education does not reflect the true cost of constructing, staffing, equipping, operating and maintaining public schools that perform at the level needed to support the foundation for standards of quality and learning.
- Localities are struggling to make up this shortfall through higher real estate taxes and cuts in other local services.
- Legislative reports have verified that appropriate levels of funding also have not been achieved for Virginia’s public colleges and universities and their students.
- The worst result of reduced and inadequate funding for college students is that so many qualified Virginia students will be denied admission. A total of 61,000 new higher education students are projected by 2010. But, the faculty, buildings and equipment are not there to accommodate them.
