Education

Monday, February 9, 2026·1h 18m·▶ Watch / Listen

The Virginia House Education Committee advanced a sweeping SOL testing overhaul, a controversial private school accountability bill, and a new college scholarship program, while carrying over a special education assessment bill to 2027. The most contentious debate centered on HB 359, which would impose public-school standards on private schools receiving public or federal funds, drawing constitutional challenges from committee members and a wave of opposition witnesses.

Key Actions

·HB 359 – Public Funds for Private School Tuition; StandardsPassed

+ 13 more actions

Controversies

Constitutional validity of HB 359 (private school accountability standards)

Delegate Garrett challenged Delegate Helmer directly, arguing HB 359 violates the establishment clause and citing Carson v. Macon, Trinity Lutheran, Espinosa v. Montana, and FCC v. League of Women Voters, asking why Helmer would carry the bill if he knew those precedents. Helmer responded that he had sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution multiple times and was 'very aware of the non establishment of religion as a principle by the state.'

+ 2 more controversies

Notable Quotes

“We said we're going to get better SOLs, but we haven't done that yet. And so this clarifies that we are delaying enactment of that until we get better SOLs and then giving a two year period in order to enroll. So we're pushing that 10% significantly into the future and aligning it with the goal of good tests. We don't want bad tests to align with that 10% grade.”
Delegate Helmer — Helmer was explaining the provision in HB 299 that delays the SOL 10% grade requirement, which had been enacted in a prior legislative session, until the Commonwealth produces improved assessments.

+ 2 more quotes

Votes

Report HB 359 as substituted and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 299 as substituted and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 189 as amendedPassed

Report HB 1001 as substituted and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 941 as amended and refer to AppropriationsPassed

Report HB 125Passed

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TranscriptPreview

Clerk shall take the roll. And a quorum is present. Good morning, everyone. We have several bills that are before us. First we have one with an administrative matter. House Bill 614 had previously passed the committee. However, there is a new substitute and a bill to be rolled in. So do I have a motion from Delegate Simons that having voted on the prevailing side, by which we passed House House Bill 643, that we reconsider that vote. So moved. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. All those in favor signify by saying II. All those opposed. House Bill 643 is before us. Do we have a motion to incorporate under Rule 22, House Bill 1323 by delegate reser. So moved. Motion has been made and properly seconded. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? The bill has been incorporated into House Bill 643. Now there is a couple of technical updates to 643's substitute. Do we have a motion to adopt the substitute? Move to adopt the substitute. Motion's been made and properly seconded. All those in favor, signify by saying aye to adopt the substitute for 643. Aye. All those opposed?…

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