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January 11, 2023
ESAs would empower Virginia Students and Families
Arlington, VA – As state legislators in Virginia return to the state capitol to begin working for Virginia residents, The LIBRE Initiative-Virginia is urging lawmakers to prioritize legislation that would approve Education Success Accounts.
LIBRE-VA will hold legislative office visits with our grassroots on both sides of the aisle, launch a digital ad campaign, host community events, testify at committee hearings, and work alongside our coalition partners.
Michael Monrroy, The LIBRE Initiative’s Coalitions Director in Virginia, said:
“The support and demand for lawmakers to prioritize ESA’s is strong across Virginia. A quality education is key to achieving the American Dream. This is why we will be consistently advocating and pushing for action toward their approval in this legislative session. With the support of our Hispanic volunteers and grassroots activists we stand ready to work alongside lawmakers who will champion this policy, and ready to hold accountable those who oppose it.”
ESAs Background (Source):
Virginia parents will have more flexibility and choices in educating their children. The Virginia ESA allocates a portion of State’s educational dollars to a student for use in meeting compulsory education requirements through other legal means.
The Virginia ESA will allow parents to direct approximately one-third of the State’s per pupil expenditure toward meeting their child’s compulsory education requirements. For the average local school district, the amount is approximately $4,500 each year. The amount is subject to change each year based on the State’s education funding formula.
Parents can use ESAs for: textbooks, tutoring, education therapy, technology, college credits, online learning, and much more.
The proposed legislation will be open to all K-12 students who are currently not attending a private school or home school and have been in public school for one semester. More than 90% of the student population in Virginia will be eligible immediately upon the General Assembly’s implementation of the program.