The Daily Signal Expanding School Choice in Virginia: Craig DiSesa on the Future of Education Options
Sep 3, 2025
Craig DiSesa, Director of the Virginia Education Opportunity Alliance, dives into the future of education in Virginia. He discusses an upcoming statewide summit focused on school choice and innovative solutions. The conversation highlights the connection between housing and education, advocating for education savings accounts. DiSesa emphasizes the micro school movement as a personalized education option for diverse learners. He also explores the challenges of current policies and the need for advocacy to foster systemic change in the educational landscape.
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Education And Housing Are Interlinked
- Education and housing problems are deeply connected in low-income communities and must be addressed together.
- Improving education pathways helps residents escape poverty or invest back into their neighborhoods.
Make Benefits Place-Based Not Income-Only
- Use place-based eligibility for education benefits so everyone in a struggling community qualifies, not just low-income families.
- That encourages middle-income families to stay and invest in the neighborhood instead of leaving for better schools.
Pass Refundable Tax Credits Strategically
- Pursue refundable tax credits in the state code and budget to fund school-choice options like ESAs or scholarships.
- Anticipate fiscal and partisan opposition and prepare messaging and coalition-building accordingly.