Wednesday, February 11, 2026

We did it!

HB359 — the bill that threatened the independence of private schools across Virginia — has been DEFEATED!

This afternoon, in a special meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education, the bill was continued to 2027, effectively defeating it for this session.

This happened because parents showed up. Because schools spoke out. Because families called, wrote, and met with their legislators. Because at Parental Rights Day we made it impossible for lawmakers to ignore the voices of parents all across the Commonwealth.

Despite attempts to label HB 359 as “focused only on the federal scholarship tax credit,” or "maintaining the status quo," the language told a different story. The bill would have imposed government mandates on curriculum, testing, licensing, and even religious instruction, essentially forcing private schools to conform more and more to a public-school model.

Virginia families saw through it. They poked the bear, and you responded.

Today proves something important: people’s voices matter. When we stand together, we can stop bad policy and defend educational freedom.

But the fight is not over. The careful drafting of this bill shows there is an ongoing effort to chip away at private school independence and parental rights. Those who want a one-size-fits-all education system are not backing down. And neither can we!

Enjoy this victory. Then let’s get back to work protecting and expanding education freedom across the Commonwealth.

Thank you for your prayers and support.