Press Release – 50CAN Reveals Call for More Education Choice in Virginia

Summary

A recent poll conducted by the Virginia Institute for Public Policy (VIPP) in partnership with 50CAN reveals a strong demand among Virginia parents for expanded educational choices ahead of the new school year. Surveying over 400 parents and guardians of K-12 students, the data highlights concerns about limited school choice, unequal access to extracurricular activities, and insufficient confidence in workforce readiness. Only about half of Virginia parents believe they have genuine school options for their children, a rate 10% below the national average. Additionally, students from low-income families participate in organized sports at significantly lower rates than their peers nationwide. Parental confidence in their children’s preparation for future careers is similarly low, with only 30% expressing strong assurance. The findings demonstrate a unified call across income, ethnicity, and geographic lines for educational flexibility, including options like charter schools, private education, homeschooling, and public school alternatives beyond traditional zoning. VIPP and 50CAN leaders emphasize the need for policy reforms to provide families with more control and diverse educational opportunities. This demand mirrors national trends and bipartisan support for education reform, although political roadblocks have hindered progress in Virginia on initiatives such as the Virginia Education Opportunity Scholarships.