Governor Glenn Youngkin: Virginia is Ready to Take Full Responsibility for K-12 Education

RICHMOND, Va. (VR) - Governor Glenn Youngkin and Virginia education leaders expressed support for the Executive Order issued by President Donald J. Trump returning education to the states. The Executive Order directs U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take all steps within her authority to return education to the states and requires her to ensure all recipients of federal education dollars are properly following all federal civil rights laws and administration policy, effectively ending all taxpayer support for “DEI” and institutions that use race and sex as a deciding factor in policies and procedures.  

“Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education. We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We welcome the federal government’s shift of responsibility to the states—and we are grateful that President Trump’s executive order does just that. The EO also makes it clear that there will be no discrimination in the classrooms. We will continue to ensure every student graduates career-, college-, or military-ready.” 

“Virginians know best what Virginia students need and what works here in Virginia, and accordingly, we should be both responsible and accountable for results to the families of the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Rogstad Guidera. “The President’s Executive Order ensures that federal dollars will arrive in Virginia with less red tape and bureaucracy and allow the State Board of Education, Virginia Department of Education, and local school divisions to invest those resources in the most efficient and effective ways that lead to the ultimate goal of improving student outcomes.”  

“President Trump’s executive order to return education leadership to the states empowers parents and reduces federal overreach,” said Virginia Board of Education President Grace Creasey. “For too long, bureaucrats in Washington have dictated one-size-fits-all policies that fail to address the unique needs of the Commonwealth’s students and schools. Returning decision-making authority and funding to the states can foster innovation, accountability, and better educational outcomes. This is about putting parents and state and local leaders back in charge of education.” 

Over the last 3 years, the Youngkin Administration has made tremendous strides in restoring excellence in education:  

• On Day One, eliminated inherently divisive concepts at the Virginia Department of Education; 

• Established the Office of Parent Engagement and have provided parents unprecedented transparency into their child’s academic performance;  

• Adopted the Student Performance and Support Framework to establish accountability for schools based on student outcomes and prioritize resources to the students, schools and communities who require the most support;  

• Expanded dual enrollment options, career-and-technical education and opportunities to earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials;  

• Launched innovation solutions for seat-time flexibility and alternative transportation modernization; 

• Broke up the one-size-fits-all model through innovative approaches including the launch of 15 college partnership lab schools, going from zero in the Commonwealth to 15 by the end of this year; 

• Cut red tape around teacher hiring and expanded alternative pathways to get high-quality teachers in every classroom, such as grow-your-own apprenticeships;  

• Launched the ALL-In Virginia Program to kickstart learning recovery post-pandemic with high-intensity targeted tutoring and expediting the implementation of the Virginia Literacy Act;

• Prioritized getting students back in school and Virginia is recognized leading state in reducing chronic absenteeism;

• Provided parents access to a digital wallet to purchase tutoring and other academic enrichment tailored to meet their child’s needs; 

• Raised our standards in science, math, history and social students and computer science to best-in-the-nation levels and are raising our proficiency cut scores;

• Made historic investments in direct aid to public education, increasing it $7 billion, over 50% since the pandemic.