Youngkin; VDOE launches online resource for students and schools

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Governor Glenn Youngkin is launching an online hub to help students and schools achieve grades.

It’s part of his new “Road to Readiness” education standards, which will classify schools as “distinguished, “on track, “off track” or “needs intensive support”.

The goal is to break down what’s happening in your child’s classroom to improve their education.

This past summer, Governor Youngkin vowed to help schools and students improve the quality of their education.

He said this new online resource is another way to help, but some are skeptical.

“We want to see the underlying data on how this accountability system works,” Virginia Education Association President Carol Bauer said.

Bauer questions how the Department of Education and Governor Glenn Youngkin will break down school data in its newly released online school performance and support framework hub.

“Certain the previous accountability system we had a lot of familiarity with it, it did provide information down to the school level of what was going on with each school, and it was easier to understand this somewhat seems convoluted a little bit on how they’re coming up with the data,” Bauer said.

Governor Youngkin and the Department of Education say the online hub will provide data metrics and transparency on how all schools across the commonwealth are performing.

“We can, in fact, assess with trusted data where our schools are and therefore drive support in order to enable all of our schools to be on that roadmap to excellence,” Gov. Youngkin said.

Youngkin said the hub will have free resources to help families and educators support students.

He also said his 2025 budget proposal will include at least an additional $50 million to expand school support.

“We will include incremental funding into the office of school equality so we can make sure we have the resources to get the resources who need them,” Youngkin said.

Youngkin said that, right now, 208 schools across the Commonwealth need help.

According to the latest numbers released by the Department of Education, more than 65% of Virginia’s K-12 schools are on track or better, and Bauer said they continue to see progress.

“Our students are doing a terrific job on getting back on track, and our educators as well are trying to provide those opportunities for our students,” Bauer said.

If you are interested in learning more about the hub, click here.