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Panel adopts substitute for English-learner funding review, directs data collection
Summary
A substitute to HB 2032 directing the Department of Education to collect cost and service data for English learners was adopted and the bill was reported out of the subcommittee with the substitute, 6–0.
The subcommittee adopted a committee substitute and reported House Bill 2032, which alters the proposed English learner (EL) add-on funding changes to focus on directing the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to collect data on costs of serving English learners. The substitute removes specified proportional funding changes and retains an enactment clause for information-gathering that will inform the Joint Subcommittee on the JLARC-recommended add-on cost analysis.
Delegate Reeser presented the bill by reference to a 2023 JLARC report recommending increased investment for English learners and their educators; he said current funding provides “only 19% more than state and local SOQ basic funding” and that more accurate cost data are needed to align funding with heightened accreditation and assessment standards. Committee staff explained the substitute eliminates the proportional funding language and keeps the directive for the Department of Education to gather cost data so the joint subcommittee can ascertain add-on cost needs.
The substitute was moved, adopted and the bill was reported as substituted by voice vote, 6–0.
Why it matters: JLARC’s 2023 recommendations and updated accreditation standards prompted lawmakers to request better cost data before changing funding formulas. The substitute prioritizes evidence gathering over immediate formula changes.
Votes at a glance: HB 2032 (English learner funding/data collection) — substitute adopted and bill reported as substituted, 6–0.
Next steps: The Department of Education will develop a data-collection approach for costs of serving English learners; the joint subcommittee will use that data in future funding deliberations.
