The current Virginia General Assembly is considering House Joint Resolution No. 117 (sponsored by Delegate Dave A. LaRock, House District 33, Loudoun, Frederick, and Clarke counties) that has been referred to the Committee on Rules and is, as of January 19, assigned to Subcommittee #1. Described as a request for the Board of Education as well as the Virginia Education Association (VEA) to “establish a code of ethics and professional responsibility for educators in public elementary and secondary schools,” the legislation is aimed at blocking what it calls “ideological indoctrination” offered “under the guise of ‘teaching for social justice’ and other sectarian doctrines.” The proposed resolution offers seven parts, most of which propose barring the use of any class or instructional time to “endorse, support, or oppose” any local, state, or federal political candidates, court cases, legislation, actions, or “advocate for any issue that is part of a political party platform at the national, state, or local level.”

If the legislation is approved, and if VEA follows suit with the proposed code, three hours of continuing education is recommended for teachers.