The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has finished its first 30-day report for Gov. Youngkin. The review assesses what VDOE has done in that period to rescind discriminatory and controversial policies like those associated with critical race theory.
The Daily Wire reports:
VDOE’s report was compiled by Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow. The document is in accordance with Balow’s role to address “inherently defined divisive concepts” in education, which are defined as “advancing any ideas in violation of Title IV and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
“All Virginia students should have the opportunity to receive an excellent education that teaches all history — the good and the bad, prioritizes academic excellence, and fosters equal opportunities for all students,” Youngkin said in a statement. “Our Virginia students should not be taught to discriminate on the basis of sex, skin color, or religion and VDOE policies should certainly not direct such concepts.”
The report outlines eight items that the administration has or is currently targeting, particularly related to EdEquityVA. The department was established by Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam in 2021 with the goal of implementing equity and “establishing concrete plans to dismantle any and all forms of systemic racism in Virginia’s public education system utilizing the principles of anti-racism.”
VDOE is rescinding all resources on EdEquityVA’s website. This includes rescinding a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Audit Tool that serves as the main resource for EdEquityVA — which has been used by school leaders to implement DEI and anti-racism. Anti-racism, a term popularized by writer Ibram X. Kendi, calls for the dismantling of so-called systemic racism.
While acknowledging that there’s much work to be done, Youngkin expressed his thanks for Superintendent Balow’s efforts thus far and confidence in her ability to review “policies and practices around the Commonwealth” proactively.
The full VDOE report is available here.