Youngkin kicks off education agenda in Loudoun

By Valerie Cury

On Wednesday, June 30, at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration building parking lot, Republican gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin rolled out the first phase of his education plan in front of a large crowd.

Youngkin started by saying, “This campaign is about making Virginia the best state—the best place to live, work, and raise a family. And there is nothing more critical to Virginia’s future than education.

“On day one, I will sign an executive order returning Virginia’s schools to pre-McAuliffe standards. No longer will Virginia race to the bottom when it comes to expectations. We are setting high standards. Second, I will direct the Virginia Department of Education to protect advanced math classes and the use of advanced diplomas. We all know that our students need proficiency in subjects like math, to be fluent in the economy of the future. Third, we will refocus on the fundamentals of reading, writing, and math.”

“Education has the power to lift people up, to lift people out, to provide opportunities that they can only dream about, to realize the most vivid dreams. It gives every child a chance … We will all be about giving every child a chance to learn, to grow, to succeed, to believe. That is what Virginia is about.”

Youngkin rolled out the first phase of his three-phase comprehensive education plan, which calls for “restoring standards of excellence, investing in our children—investing in our teachers, and yes, in our facilities.” And finally, “empowering parents,” he said.

In phase one, said Youngkin, he plans to refocus on “low expectations for our schools” and focus “on achievement and establish transparency.” He said he wants “transparent metrics and accountability to restore excellence in Virginia public schools.”

Youngkin wants to bring back “the focus on curriculum and standards by which we access our schools. I have heard you; I have heard your outrage … Loudoun County is ground zero … The classroom is not the place for a political agenda … It is a place where we focus on a rigorous agenda, not a political one. Our children should not be the victims of the left liberal progressives’ cultural war,” he said.

“We must start teaching our children how to think, not what to think. This is at the core,” he said.

Youngkin pointed out that from 2014 to 2021, Virginia’s student achievement ranking on advanced placement tests dropped to seventh place nationally, from third, and then to tenth.

In 2019, he said, Virginia fourth grade reading standards were ranked last in the nation—down 33 places from “just six years prior.” He said that in eighth grade math, the failure rate is 62 percent—five out of eight students can’t meet the math standards. He said the failure rate among African American students is 84 percent—five out of six. For Hispanic students, the failure rate is 72 percent, three out of four students. Youngkin said, this “is shocking and unacceptable.”

“I’m tired of politicians lowering standards and yet calling it a success, setting our sights on the lowest common denominator instead of the highest hopes of our children

“I have a vision for the children of Virginia, that they would not just survive but they would thrive in Virginia’s classrooms, that they would be challenged to reach their full potential, that they would have a rigorous curriculum that would prepare them for the workplace of the future, for the college opportunity of the future, and that all of our children will see their dream opportunity here in Virginia.”

Aliscia Andrews, who ran in 2020 to represent Virginia’s 10^th Congressional District, was the master of ceremonies for the event.

Speakers included Ian Prior, Executive Director of Fight for Schools, who said the reputation of Loudoun County Public Schools “drove him here three years ago.” He said what is happening now in schools is that teacher training encourages the teachers to look at children as a group and not as individuals, and that they are being taught inappropriate sexual information.

He said Loudoun Academies have “gotten rid of geometry and several merit assessments as prerequisites, and they have gotten rid of advanced before eleventh grade. “Now is the time for Virginia to lead again. The eyes of the nation are on this state, especially when it comes to education …”

Former Navy Seal and Del. John McGuire (R-56), who was abandoned as a child and bounced from foster home to foster home, said that “children are number one.”  Critical Race Theory, said McGuire, teaches our kids to hate each other. You can’t fight hate with more hate.”

Teacher Julie Perry, who is running for the Virginia House of Delegates in District 86, said for teacher evaluations they have added the word equity as a standard. “That has nothing to do with how students perform … Teachers are going to be forced to teach your kids to be divided. It’s very uncomfortable to tell one student, ‘You need to check your privilege,’ and tell another ‘you are a victim.’”

She said she wouldn’t be here today if her teachers “pointed me out as a victim” due to a learning disability she has. “What we need to do is to encourage our kids to do their best. One size does not fit all … we are all different.”

The next speaker was parent Joe Mogley who said that getting rid of advanced diplomas and advanced math while other schools across the world are not doing the same is “a disservice to our kids. Are we going to strip our children of being able to compete with top companies?” he asked.

Parent Brandon Michon, who introduced Youngkin, but had to cut his speech short due to the impending rain storm said, “It used to be an honor to be educated in Virginia and Loudoun County … Unfortunately, it has deteriorated over the last few years.”

He said over the past six month he has gotten to know Glenn Youngkin: “He is the leader we need for this Commonwealth. He is a parent, a man of integrity. He knows the value of hard work; he knows how to lead, and what it takes to do so.”

Michon said Youngkin will “put our children’s education first; he will not trade their futures for favors; he will bring Virginia back to the top of the education system.”