Two historically Black universities in the Richmond, Va., area--Virginia State University and Virginia Union University--say they are partnering to open laboratory schools.
Lab schools can have specific focuses, such as STEM, at-risk students, special education or career and technical education, according to Virginia law. They can begin in preschool and last through the 12th grade.
To begin the process, a college must apply for a lab school by detailing 31 separate items, including its vision, targeted student population, proposed location, estimated enrollment and an academic program.
In June, the Virginia General Assembly allocated about $100 million in seed funding for establishing lab schools, an alternative form of public K-12 education that's allowed greater autonomy and is funded through a separate budget.
Funds for the proposed schools will come from the College Partnership Laboratory School Fund, and the Board of Education will decide how much of each school receives. Individual schools will manage their own budgets.
