Education Policy Proposals in State Legislatures: A Look at Virginia

• In Event: 16.060 - Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: 16.060-6 - State Policy Making Around Testing and Accountability

Abstract

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) gives substantial power back to states in crafting education policy. However, state legislatures are responsible for a myriad of other matters besides education. Limited time and resources mean priorities are made over which education bills fail or advance through legislative process. With policy decisions firmly with states, we should look at how various education reform bills are faring in the legislative process of individual states. This study analyzed 776 PK-12 education bills introduced in the Virginia legislature over a seven-year period. Preliminary analysis indicates the number of education proposals introduced into the legislature has almost doubled in seven years, with increased focused on student subgroups, school choice, and modifying standardized testing requirements

Author

• Sara Townsend, George Mason University