chevron_leftchevron_right
Leadership
Your Governor:
Glenn Youngkin (R) (50)
First term began in 2022 (one term limit).
In the 2023 state elections, hoping to secure enough new allies in the legislature, Governor Youngkin vowed to give parents more power and create new choice programs. But the make-up of the legislature has now shifted to all anti-education choice forces. Nonetheless, his administration has found creative ways to provide more innovative options to families such as through the state’s Lab Schools, microgrants to help parents provide more support to their students and even creating an office of innovation to enable solutions that lead to parent empowerment, personalized learning and a more focused approach to the education of Virginia’s children.
STATE LEGISLATURE:
During the 2023 election, anti-education choice Democrats solidified their Senate majority and secured control of the House, delaying for some time any thoughtful policy advances that would provide parents the opportunity to tailor their children’s education to their needs. That hasn’t stopped the Governor from trying to do all he can to expand education freedom.
Constitutional Issues
Virginia's constitution contains a Blaine Amendment and a Compelled Support Clause. While a repeal of Blaine might pass the House there is little prospect of the Democrat majority in the Senate agreeing, so legal action will likely be needed. On the bright side, the constitution also contains an express provision allowing publicly funded vouchers at private, non-religious schools. (Institute for Justice)
Transparency
Report cards are easily accessible from Virginia's Department of Education website under the “State Board, Data & Funding → Data & Reports → Statistics & Reports” headings. While requiring multiple clicks, the state provides school quality profiles, which provide information on accreditation, academic achievement, enrollment, finance, school climate, teacher quality, ESSA, and school readiness. Viewers also have the choice to see an "At-a-Glance" version, providing a convenient feature for a quick overview of the school.
Educational choices are located under the “Parents & Students → Parent Resources” section of the homepage, providing families with easy access to information on educational opportunities outside of the public school system.
School Board elections in Virginia occur separately from the general election cycle, often resulting in reduced parental influence and a diminished ability to make their voices heard due to lower voter turnout.