Virginia Governor Vows to Address Sliding Education Performance and Lower Standards

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks after releasing education report findings in the Patrick Henry Building in Richmond, Va., on May 19, 2022. Courtesy of Christian Martinez, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va.—Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vowed to raise standards and performance in the state’s K-12 public schools after a new report highlighted declining academic achievement over fallen standards. He also pledged to improve transparency in education performance reporting and empower parents for student academic excellence.

According to the new report by the state’s Department of Education, Virginia public school students’ performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as “the nation’s report card,” decreased between 2017 and 2019.