Virginia Constitution ARTICLE VIII - Education
Here is the text of Article VIII - Education from the Virginia Constitution:
ARTICLE VIII – EDUCATION
Section 1. Public schools of high quality to be maintained.
The General Assembly shall provide for a system of free public elementary and secondary schools for all children of school age throughout the Commonwealth, and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of high quality is established and continually maintained.
Section 2. Standards of quality; State and local support of public schools.
Standards of quality for the several school divisions shall be determined and prescribed from time to time by the Board of Education, subject to revision only by the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall determine the manner in which funds are to be provided to support such standards of quality, and the apportionment of responsibility for such funding between the Commonwealth and the local governments.
Section 3. Compulsory education.
The General Assembly may enact laws for the compulsory education of children, including compulsory school attendance for such ages and classes of children as it shall prescribe.
Section 4. Board of Education.
The general supervision of the public school system shall be vested in a Board of Education, to be composed of nine members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. Terms and qualifications shall be as provided by law.
Section 5. Powers and duties of the Board of Education.
The powers and duties of the Board of Education shall be as prescribed by law, and shall include the authority to determine and prescribe the standards of quality as provided in Section 2.
Section 6. Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Governor shall appoint a Superintendent of Public Instruction for a term and with duties as provided by law. The Superintendent shall serve as the executive officer of the Board of Education.
Section 7. School boards.
Each local school division shall be governed by a school board, as provided by law. The duties and authority of school boards shall be prescribed by law.
Section 8. Religious or partisan teachings.
No funds derived from public revenues shall be appropriated to any school or institution of learning not owned or exclusively controlled by the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof; and no sectarian or partisan school or institution shall receive any aid, directly or indirectly, from public funds.
Section 9. Permitting school choice and scholarships.
[Note: There is no Section 9 in the current version of Article VIII. If added later, consult the most recent version from an official source.]
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