Update: Youngkin’s Lab School agenda advances in the House
The bill advanced out of the House Education Committee Wednesday morning.
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Governor Glenn Youngkin’s lab school legislation advanced on Wednesday morning in the House Education Committee on a 12-10 partisan vote. The Department of Education defines school labs as “public schools established by contract between the governing board of a college partnership laboratory school and the Board of Education.”
Under the current law that was established in 2010, only public and private institutions of higher education that operate approved teacher education programs are permitted to apply to create a lab school. This law has not yet been utilized, however.
The legislation that Youngkin is backing would open up the application process for any public or private institution of higher education, or private business. “I do see this opportunity for us to bring businesses who have particular training or long term needs for workforce to actually give advice and counsel to what kind of curriculum might best fit for a region in Virginia particularly,” Youngkin said Thursday. “I think this is a chance for us to tap into all kinds of good ideas.”
The Democratic Party of Virginia responded to the advancement of the legislation on Wednesday. “Gov. Youngkin’s legislation on lab schools is nothing but a charter school bill in disguise. Virginia Republicans are attacking our local schools by trying to slash hundreds of millions of dollars away from our local school divisions. We won't allow it.”
Education Committee Chair Glenn Davis (R-Va Beach) is sponsoring the legislation in the House.
Governor Youngkin announced his support for the legislation during a press conference last month. He talked about his plan for funding the idea.
“One of the big elements of our day one plan has been the recognition that Virginia is running big surpluses right now and is projected to run surpluses for a long time,” he said. The governor stated that he believes those surpluses should allow for tax cuts and investments in education.
Even though private businesses would be allowed to participate in the process, Youngkin’s administration plans to classify these new lab schools as public schools. “Our lab school system will be a fundamental part going forward of our public school education,” Youngkin said.
In the state Senate, Youngkin will have to convince at least one Democrat to support any legislation he hopes to pass during the current legislative session. The Democrats hold the majority at 21-19, with Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears casting tie-breaking votes. “I think there is strong bipartisan support,” Youngkin said Thursday. “We have plenty of money in the system to fund this.”
In a statement to Virginia Scope last month, Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) said “lab schools need to be considered, but cannot be funded with one-time money.”
More on the current structure for school labs from DoE:
College partnership laboratory schools’ enrollment is open to any school-age student who is a Virginia resident on a lottery, space-available basis. A college partnership laboratory school may not charge tuition for courses required for high school graduation.
Management of a laboratory school is the responsibility of the governing board established by the partnering institution of higher learning. An approved college partnership laboratory school is designated as a local education agency, but does not constitute a school division.
House Bill 1389 and Senate Bill 736 (2010 General Assembly) also created a College Partnership Laboratory School Fund for the purposes of establishing or supporting laboratory schools. This special non reverting fund includes appropriations by the General Assembly and gifts, bequests or donations. The fund retains its own interest and balances and is not subject to reversion to the General Fund.
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