Lt. Governor’s Office | October 24, 2022
The 2022 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) data for Virginia was recently released, showing Virginia fourth graders scored the largest declines in the nation. Our eighth-grade scores declined significantly as well.
“This decline started in 2017, well before the Governor Northam-ordered pandemic school closures. The two previous Virginia administrations reduced accountability, transparency by our schools, and standards both for students and schools, resulting in these shameful consequences, all in the name of equity. Sadly, students of color were hit hardest by these failed policies. Prolonged closures of in-person learning exacerbated the decline. Our children are not learning the basics of math and reading! We have known this for some time and the NAEP scores prove it; change is in order,” stated Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears.
“Our children are depending on us to make good choices for their future and that’s why I continue to join with the Governor and parents across the Commonwealth, demanding that our board of education put students first, set high standards, and require accountability from everyone. I fully support Governor Youngkin’s plans to bring a quality public school system back to Virginia,” Earle-Sears continued.
“Furthermore, I join parents in demanding that parental rights not be abused. Parents have a ‘fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent’s child.’ I will continue to work to ensure that every child has options, regardless of zip code, so that they may have a hope and a future!”
The full report may be viewed here.
Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears is a former Vice President of the Virginia State Board of Education and served in the Virginia House of Delegates.