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Senate subcommittee debates $50 million Opportunity Scholarship proposal
Summary
A Senate subcommittee heard testimony for and against SB 1346, a $50 million grant program to provide $5,000 scholarships to 10,000 families. Supporters said it would expand options for underserved students; opponents from education groups cited research showing similar programs often worsen public-school outcomes.
Richmond — The Senate Public Education Subcommittee took up Senate Bill 1346, a proposal to create a $50 million Virginia Opportunity Scholarship Grant Program that would provide $5,000 grants to 10,000 families (up to 200% of the federal poverty level) to pay for summer programs, remedial or accelerated learning, or private school tuition.
Sen. Jordan, the bill’s patron, told the panel the program is “a really great opportunity I think for Virginia students,” arguing the grant would be additional funding that would not come out of existing public‑school dollars and would help students who fell behind during the pandemic. “We know that every child deserves access to a quality education regardless of their zip code,” Sen. Jordan said.
Supporters who testified included Amy Guderas, Virginia’s secretary of education, who said the governor’s $50 million proposal is “additional money on top of the historic investments already made in the past three years” and is constitutional under state and federal law. Local private school leaders and parent advocates described individual students who they said would benefit from expanded options.
Opponents were led by Chad Stewart of the Virginia Education Association, who cited longitudinal studies of similar programs in other states. “On average, we see students not just faring a little worse, but significantly worse in terms of achievement and outcomes for these types of programs,” Stewart said, urging the committee to make evidence‑based policy decisions.
Committee members pressed proponents on accountability and access questions: who would accept scholarship students, whether private schools would be required to enroll students with disabilities or English‑language learners, and whether the scholarships would effectively redirect resources away from public schools. Sen. Jordan said the bill includes program guidelines and noted private schools sometimes offer additional scholarships and supports.
The committee debated procedural options after testimony. A motion to pass the bill by indefinitely was moved by a committee member and passed on a 3–2 vote, meaning the subcommittee elected not to advance the bill at this hearing. The record reflects the committee’s sharp division over whether such scholarship programs reinforce opportunity or undermine public‑school funding and outcomes.
The next procedural step would be consideration by the full committee only if members choose to revisit the bill; otherwise the bill remains subject to further action later in the session.
