Ralph Northam on Education

$30 billion to rebuild, reimagine all K-12 schools in state

$95 million for early childhood education for at-risk kids

We need to invest in our K-12 public schools--with teacher raises, more guidance counselors, and extra funds for high-need schools. This budget increases the "At-Risk Add-On" for educationally at-risk students, by $140 million. This is the largest single increase to this funding source in Virginia's history, and it's a critical investment. An investment in public schools is an investment in students and our economy. Education represents 38% of the new spending in this budget.

Financial aid: Get skilled, get a job, give back

Pay raise for teachers, to retain the best and brightest

Raising teacher pay is only part of the puzzle when it comes to making sure that every Virginia student is able to reach their full potential. Schools, educational leaders, and parents across the Commonwealth have been clear that students need a variety of services to succeed in the classroom.

That's why I've proposed to fund more positions for school counselors statewide, and additional flexible funding so that school divisions can make their own decisions about which services will most benefit their students.

More tuition assistance; protect consumers on student loans

We're working with the Virginia Community College System to reframe their programming, so that students can get the skills they need on the front end for 21st century jobs. Our training certificate programs and our higher education system need to work hand in hand. And they need to be affordable.

Expensive tuition and high student debt can close the door to opportunity for too many people. My budget would offer more tuition assistance, and requires our institutions to create tuition predictability plans.

It is high time we began regulating the companies that service our student loans. While people may not be able to avoid taking on debt to get an education, they should be able to count on basic consumer protections.

Borrower's Bill of Rights to manage student debt

• Giving Virginians the tools to manage student debt and hold predatory lenders accountable by passing a Borrower's Bill of Rights and creating a state ombudsman for student debt.
• Building on the executive actions my administration is pursuing to cut carbon and create clean energy jobs by becoming the first Southern State to formally join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
• Closing a loophole in our ethics laws by prohibiting the personal use of campaign funds.
• Reducing obstacles to voting by doing away with barriers to absentee voting.

Federal grant to create 3,000 pre-K education spots

Invest in early childhood education

Historically strong commitment to public education

I believe strongly that our children are our future, and that all of them deserve a world-class education. In order to ensure that they are prepared to take on the jobs of tomorrow, and to compete in a global economy, we must restore and increase funding for K-12 education, including teacher salaries.

We must also continue to develop a strong workforce in Virginia by supporting career and technical education at our outstanding community colleges, and take advantage of the economic development potential of innovation at our research universities.

Restore and increase funding for K-12 education

I believe strongly that our children are our future, and that all of them deserve a world-class education. In order to ensure that they are prepared to take on the jobs of tomorrow, and to compete in a global economy, we must restore and increase funding for K-12 education, including teacher salaries.

We must also continue to develop a strong workforce in Virginia by supporting career and technical education at our outstanding community colleges, and take advantage of the economic development potential of innovation at our research universities.