Parents, Teachers, Students, Ed. Leaders Develop Education Priorities for Virginia's Next Governor at "Virginia Speak Outs for Schools"

Local residents concerned with education participated in roundtable discussions this fall in Roanoke, Loudoun County, Charlottesville, and Norfolk as part of the Virginia Education Forum coalition's "Speak Out for Schools" tour. Local parents, teachers, students, and education leaders gathered to spell out their top education priorities for Virginia's gubernatorial candidates.

VIRGINIA SPEAKS OUT: TOP PRIORITIES FOR SCHOOLS

• Raising teacher salaries to at least the national average;
• Fully funding the Standards of Quality;
• Requiring and funding testing coordinators in every school who are not counselors;
• Requiring and funding pre-school;
• Lowering the pupil classroom teacher ratio;
• Asking the next governor to request flexibility in meeting NCLB requirements;
• Provide a budget proposal that would help local government provide quality public education;
• Provide enough capacity at Virginia higher education institutions to prepare teachers and provide financial incentives to help recruit students to the teaching profession;
• Provide dedicated funding to address the needs of special education English as a second language, and foster care students;
• Review recommendations from the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee;
• Funding intervention and academic recovery programs;
• Updating buildings to meet mandated standards and provide good learning environments;
• Provide a safe school environment;
• Include educators and parents on policy development boards;
• And keep supplemental services such as arts, recess, and counseling, in public schools.

News Release: Roanoke
News Release: Loudoun
Radio Coverage: NPR Roanoke (MP3 file)
Washington Post story