Relief after Years of Legislative and Executive Attacks on Education
- Holly Hazard
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
2026 General Assembly Legislative Support for Public Education
Public education remains one of the General Assembly’s most significant policy and budgetary responsibilities. With the conclusion of the Youngkin administration and the beginning of Governor Abigail Spanberger’s term last month, the legislature has continued its role in shaping education policy—particularly through direct investment, funding reform, and oversight.
Strengthening State Investment in K–12 Schools
In recent budget cycles, the General Assembly approved substantial increases in state funding for public education. These actions reflect a legislative consensus that long-standing underinvestment has strained local school divisions and undermined staffing stability.
Key investments include increased General Fund support for early childhood and K–12 education, state-funded salary increases for instructional and support staff, and expanded funding targeted to at-risk students, English learners, and special education services. In several instances, these appropriations exceeded executive proposals, underscoring the legislature’s intent to stabilize school funding and address structural gaps.
Modernizing the Standards of Quality
The Standards of Quality (SOQ) serve as the backbone of Virginia’s public education funding system, yet they have not kept pace with the actual costs faced by school divisions. Recognizing this, the General Assembly has advanced work to modernize the SOQ, including reviews of staffing ratios, cost assumptions, and the state-local funding partnership.
This effort marks a shift away from incremental adjustments toward a more comprehensive examination of how the Commonwealth defines and funds an adequate education.
Re-centering Public Education Funding
During the Youngkin administration, significant attention was directed toward expanding scholarship and voucher-style programs to support private education options. In contrast, recent legislative action has prioritized direct investment in public schools.
The General Assembly has declined to expand large-scale private school subsidy programs and instead directed available resources to classroom instruction, student supports, and school division capacity. This approach reflects a legislative judgment that strengthening the public system remains the most effective way to serve students statewide.
Policy Direction Going Forward
While core priorities such as literacy and accountability remain, the legislature’s policy focus has broadened to include student mental health, special education capacity, and disparities between school divisions. Workforce alignment and long-term system capacity are increasingly viewed as integral components of education policy.
Looking Ahead
Forecasts from state education officials indicate that meeting enrollment growth, staffing needs, and updated Standards of Quality may require more than $1 billion in additional funding over the next biennium. As budget deliberations continue, public education is expected to remain a central focus of legislative action.
The General Assembly has moved toward a more traditional and direct approach to supporting public education—one grounded in funding adequacy, structural reform, and legislative oversight. These actions reflect an ongoing commitment to treating public education as a core responsibility of the Commonwealth and preparing the system to meet future demands.
