Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger announces her plan for educational reform, as the election timeline draws closer
Abigail Spanberger Unveils Comprehensive Education Plan for Virginia
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger has presented a comprehensive education plan aimed at strengthening Virginia's K-12 schools, addressing a teacher shortage, and modernizing crumbling schools. The plan also focuses on making higher education more affordable and investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Spanberger's plan emphasizes the importance of academic rigor and excellence within public schools, aiming to repair and modernize aging school facilities. Her proposal rejects diverting public school funding to voucher programs and supports increasing wraparound services such as telehealth for rural schools and greater assistance for students with disabilities and their families.
For higher education, Spanberger seeks to make college more affordable with improved financial aid, support Virginia's HBCUs, enhance access to college courses for high school students aligned with Virginia's industry needs, and invest in community colleges with programs like G3 and Fast Forward. She also aims to protect higher education institutions from political interference while leveraging colleges as engines for economic growth and innovation.
The plan is in response to Virginia's low rankings in academic recovery post-COVID and ongoing teacher shortages, aiming to ensure strong public schools prepare all children for success regardless of ZIP code. Spanberger, who has three daughters in the Virginia public education system, expressed hope that Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly will protect education investments.
Education was a significant issue in Virginia's last gubernatorial race, with Glenn Youngkin championing parents' rights. Spanberger criticized Youngkin's proposal for public school funding cuts as "misguided." Virginia ranked 41st in reading recovery and 51st in math recovery between 2019 and 2024, and the state ranked 46th in math improvement over the same period.
Spanberger's plan includes efforts to strengthen child care and higher education in Virginia. She aims to ensure that Virginia parents have access to "high-quality child care in their area." Her plans differ from those of former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who was criticized for his stance on parents' involvement in the classroom.
In a June interview with Dogwood, Spanberger accused Youngkin of playing politics with education. She emphasized her commitment to ensuring that every child in Virginia has access to a quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5
Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for our website Digital and FOX Business.
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