I am writing to ask for your help in ensuring that each student in Virginia has access to a quality education, no matter where they live, no matter what their zip code may be.
Access to education, and our citizens and our economy depend upon the success of our K-12 education system. In an increasingly competitive global economy, students must graduate from high school being either college ready or career ready.
As the General Assembly session reaches the half-way point next week, we approach a critical time in the effort to move landmark education legislation forward. This year I put forward a number of important proposals that will enhance teacher quality and reward the great teachers we are so fortunate to have in our classrooms, build upon successful legislation in 2011 that expands charter, virtual and college lab schools, and continue to work toward our responsibility – providing each child with a world class education.
My full Opportunity to Learn agenda is below. I need your help in communicating to the General Assembly why this legislation is key to the success of each and every student and family in Virginia.
Please take a few minutes and contact your legislator. Your help is critical in bringing real improvements to our public schools
I hope you each had a teacher that inspired and challenged you to work hard; I know I certainly had many teachers that made me a better student. I want that for each and every student that attends a Virginia school. Until then, we have a shared responsibility to demand the best for our students.
Sincerely,
Bob McDonnell
Governor of Virginia
Enhancing Teacher Quality…
Recognize Exceptional Teachers – HB576 (Richard P. Bell) / SB438 (Obenshain): This bi-partisan issue is critical for ensuring continued success and quality of Virginia’s education system. This bill establishes a eliminates the continuing contract, better known as teacher tenure and provide for a three year contract that prioritizes professional development opportunities and reward good teachers. It will allow for a new evaluation system to work by attracting and retaining the top tiered educators in our K-12 public schools.
Expanding Education Opportunities for Virginia Students…
Scholarships for low-income students — HB321 (Massie) / SB241 (Obenshain): This bill provides tax credits to companies that contribute to the educational improvement scholarship fund for low-income students.
Innovative Technical Advisory Group – HB 756 (Dance): This bill establishes a group of national experts to review and give guidance to potential applicants and the Board during the planning process for charter schools, college partnership lab schools and virtual school programs. The Governor provided $201,624 over the biennium to support the work of this group.
Public Charter Schools – HB 1173 (Lingamfelter) / SB 440 (Obenshain): Legislation would require a minimum of 90% of the cost per child to follow student to an approved charter school. Local school board must allow public charter schools to lease or purchase vacant or unused properties.
Funding Virtual Schools – HB 1272 (Richard P. Bell) / SB 598 (Newman): This bill creates a new funding model for virtual school programs by requiring 76% of local share to follow student to the approved virtual school.
Streamline Regulations Governing Virtual Schools – HB 1215 (Richard P. Bell): This bill requires the Board of Education to promulgate regulations for accrediting virtual schools.
Reduce Burdens on Virtual School Teachers – HB 578 (Richard P. Bell): This bill requires the Board of Education to develop alternative licensure for teachers who teach only online courses. This bill recognizes the unique skills required to teach virtual courses and maintains high standards.
College Lab Schools – HB765 (Peace) / SB475 (Locke): This legislation reduces barriers for Virginia’s public schools and authorizes a partnership between local school boards and institutions of higher education amending the College Lab Legislation to permit any institution of higher education the ability to partner with a local school division
Remove Barriers for Home school Students—HB 947 (Robert B. Bell): This bill will ensure that home school students will be permitted to participate in interscholastic organizations.
Provide School Calendar Flexibility—HB 1063 (Tata): Allow local school divisions to set their own calendar, thus providing more instructional time before major milestones.
Funding…
Provide additional funding to support the Early Intervention and Reading Initiative
Require local school divisions to include in their existing reports to the Department of Education how their financial resources are being allocated
Provide $2 million in additional funding in FY 13 and FY14 for the Communities in Schools program to expand to Hampton Roads, Petersburg, southwest Virginia, northern Virginia, and Danville. Expansion would also include adding regional field support personnel, on-going state-wide training and technical assistance, and annual total quality system standards reviews.
Provide $1.8 million in funding in FY 13 and FY14 for 10th graders to take the PSAT and partner with College Board to conduct statewide workshops on using the results to increase AP participation and SAT scores.
Provide $770, 276 for the expansion of the PluggedInVA model to all 8 superintendents’ regions in the state. PluggedInVA involves enrolling adults both in local GED programs in divisions and also in industry certification programs at the community colleges.
Provide $80,000 in FY13 to provide planning and first year start-up funding in FY13 for Health Sciences academies.
Provide $135,794 for the Positive Youth Development Academy pilot program for rising 9th and 10th graders in selected regions of the Commonwealth
Fund a request for proposals to develop an elementary education preK-6 approved program with a major in mathematics, sciences, or integrated sciences and mathematics and middle/secondary approved programs focusing on the preparation of mathematics and science teachers. The programs must be led by public or private colleges or universities, including collaboration of local school divisions, with preference to a consortia model. Programs will provide support to prospective teachers in completing a program within a four-year baccalaureate degree, offer tuition incentives, and promote distribution of high quality teachers across the Commonwealth.
Provide $600,000 in funding for incentive awards for teachers in STEM areas. A new teacher with an endorsement in mathematics, physics, or technology education assigned to a teaching position in a corresponding STEM subject area is eligible to receive a $5,000 initial incentive award after the completion of the first year of teaching with a satisfactory performance evaluation and a signed contract for the following school year. An additional $1,000 incentive award may be granted for each year the eligible teacher receives a satisfactory evaluation and teaches a STEM subject for up to three years (maximum incentive award is $8,000). Funding will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with preference to teachers assigned to teach in hard-to-staff schools or schools in improvement.
Governor McDonnell also committed more than $300 million to support the state’s commitment to teacher retirement.
I wanted to make sure you saw two great news items that just came out about Governor McDonnell. Quinnipiac University just released another statewide poll of Virginia voters which found, “…Gov. Bob McDonnell remains among the most popular chief state executives in any state surveyed by Quinnipiac University, with a 58 - 24 percent job approval rating.” This impressive job number includes 3-1 approval from independent voters! I’ve included the poll at this link.
Additionally, Lorenzo Hall of CBS 6 Richmond recently spent the day with Governor McDonnell for a behind-the-scenes special report on Virginia’s chief executive.
From meetings with legislators, speaking with student groups, radio shows, policy briefings, national interviews and more, see firsthand how Governor McDonnell handles what Hall calls the “juggling act” or “chess game” of being Governor of Virginia.
We hope you enjoy both pieces of great news about Governor McDonnell, and please pass them around to friends, family, neighbors and coworkers!
The Governor recently took a few moments to answer some lighthearted, non-political questions from CNN’s Candy Crowley for a feature she does called Getting to Know….. We thought you might have an interest in taking a look at this “lighter side” interview!
We hope you enjoy it - please feel free to pass it around to your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers, and thank you very much for your continued support!
Throughout the day, Bob will be traveling across the Commonwealth with his running mates: Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, and Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli, on their “Just Say Yes” Tour. Click here to find the event closest to you.
Did you miss Bob’s press conference at Old Dominion University? He and State Senator Frank Wagner talked about his plan to make the Commonwealth a leader in new, innovative energy technology.
You can watch the video below to get caught up and learn about Bob’s Energy Plan.
Be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you think of Bob’s “More Energy, More Jobs” plan.
The Contemporary Conservative, has written a great post describing this weekend’s canvassing effort.
If you are interested in helping please send an e-mail to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with the subject line “winning weekend.”
Check out this article from the Washington Post that mentions the new ads Bob launched on the Drudge Report.
Help Bob on Facebook. We’ve almost reached our goal of 3,000 supporters. Join Bob on facebook and invite your friends and family!
Don’t forget, this weekend the campaign is hosting “winning weekend” walking events. We could use your help knocking on doors and spreading the word about Bob McDonnell. Email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to volunteer!
These are some great numbers and you can help us keep that lead. Become a supporter of Bob on Facebook and invite your friends and family. We’ve got over 2,500 supporters and we want to break 3,000 by the end of April!
“Today we remember the tragedy at Virginia Tech. We remember those we lost, those who were injured, and all those who were touched by one of the darkest days in Virginia history. While two years have passed the memory of that tragic day remains fresh. The tears, the anger, the sadness, the loss can return at a moment’s notice. Time has passed, the moment has not.
We remember where we were as the first reports of the tragedy began to break. Many of us remember calling loved ones to find out about friends and family who were at the school. And we remember, immediately following those first desperate hours, the emergence of the very best of Virginia.
Governor Tim Kaine, traveling to Asia, returned immediately without a moment wasted. Through his words and actions he led our Commonwealth with courage and character. Our law enforcement officials, facing a tragedy without historical precedent, served bravely and selflessly. Virginians prayed together, cried together, and mourned together. And two years later we continue to recover, together.
In the days and weeks after the tragedy Virginians forgot about old divisions, and united to make our Commonwealth safer. We made quick improvements in the mental health laws related to purchases of firearms, and the General Assembly passed further mental health improvements in the next session.
Two years later the tragedy of April 16th, 2007 remains with us. We continue to pray for all those impacted by the devastating events of that sad day. We continue to remember family members and friends who lost loved ones, or who had a loved one injured. And we continue to take strength from the courage and compassion shown by the Virginia Tech student body and community. They made all Virginians, “Hokies Forever.”
Bob McDonnell will pay a special visit to the 61st annual Shad Planking festival near Wakefield today. Bob has been attending Shad Planking’s for years, and in 2006 was the keynote speaker at the event. He is happy to be attending again and taking the stage.
If you want to be the first to know about events Bob will be at then send a text message to “VA” to “GoBob” (46262).
Did you brave the wet weather to check out Shad Planking? Send your photos to (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
