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Bill

SB 511

Career & technical education prog., associate degree programs, etc.; return on investment analysis.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Luther Cifers

Virginia must analyze financial returns of career and technical education and associate degree programs to evaluate cost-effectiveness and guide resource allocation decisions.

Assigned Education sub: Public Education
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Bill Summary · SB 511

Legislative bill overview

SB 511 requires Virginia to conduct a return on investment (ROI) analysis for career and technical education (CTE) programs and associate degree programs offered through community colleges. The bill mandates that the state evaluate program costs against measurable outcomes such as job placement rates, wage earnings, and workforce demand to inform funding and program decisions.

Why is this important

CTE and community college programs represent significant state investments, and ROI analysis would provide data-driven insights into which programs deliver genuine economic value to students and the labor market. This information could help policymakers allocate educational resources more effectively and guide prospective students toward programs with stronger employment outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Measurement challenges: Defining and standardizing ROI metrics across diverse programs (healthcare, trades, STEM, etc.) is complex; outcomes vary by region, student demographics, and post-graduation timeframes
  • Cost to implement: Conducting comprehensive ROI analyses requires data collection infrastructure, tracking systems, and ongoing evaluation—adding administrative burden and expense to already-stretched educational systems
  • Risk of program elimination: Schools may defund or eliminate programs with lower short-term ROI metrics, even if they serve disadvantaged populations, fill regional labor gaps, or provide intrinsic educational value unrelated to wage earnings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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