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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

RICHMOND

Speakers Room State Capitol Post Office Box 406 Richmond, Virginia 23218

WILLIAM J. HOWELLSPEAKER

TWENTY-EIGHTH DISTRICT

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS:RULES (CHAIRMAN)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Matthew Moran

January 24, 2013 (540) 493-4805 or mmoran@house.virginia.gov

House of Delegates Passes Key K-12 Education Initiatives

RICHMOND, VAThe Virginia House of Delegates passed several key pieces of legislation Thursdayaimed at improving Virginias K-12 education system. Four bills were passed with broad, bipartisan

support, including Governor Bob McDonnells Educator Fairness Act, a bill that will bring the Teach forAmerica program to Virginia and legislation to encourage the creation of more charter schools.

I am very pleased at the steps the House of Delegates took today. We are constantly and continually

focused on improving Virginias K-12 education system and the measures passed today will help do just

that, said Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). Education is about jobs and opportunity. We must

give all of our children the kind of education that will prepare them for the jobs of the 21st

century.

Our efforts to improve K-12 education have been focused on recognizing and rewarding Virginias

excellent teachers, encouraging innovation and accountability, and promoting success for all students by

ensuring we rescue failing schools and increase access to opportunity by expanding charter schools.

The passage of the Educator Fairness Act is a key part of our efforts to recognize and reward goodteachers throughout the Commonwealth. We are also very excited about the opportunity to amend the

state budget and offer our teachers a two percent pay raise. We understand the role and value of teachers

in educating our young people and want to reward the selfless work they do each and every day.

While the steps we have taken today are important, our work is not done. There are several more pieces

of Governor McDonnells education package that will be advancing through the legislative process overthe next several days. These measures deserve our full and undivided attention and I look forward to their

passage in the House of Delegates.

House Bill 2151 (Bell) is the Educator Fairness Act. House Bill 2084 (Cox) will establish the Teach for

America Program in Virginia. House Bill 2076 (Stolle) will allow local school divisions flexibility to

authorize more charter schools. House Bill 2101 (Ramadan) creates a High School to Work Partnership

program.

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