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Where do Virginia congressional candidates in key districts stand on top policy issues?
As Election Day draws closer, The Mercury asked candidates in four key Virginia congressional races — Districts 2, 7, 9 and 10 — to share their views and policy plans on the issues that most impact the commonwealth, and reviewed their positions on their campaign websites, social media pages, and in other media. Read their […]
Can a rail operator use Virginia’s $35 million for Shenandoah Valley Railroad Corridor repairs?
A proposed plan to transform the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Corridor into a rail-with-trail is chugging along, but the funds to improve the corridor are at the center of discussion about whether or not shortline rail operators vying to restore the railroad can use $35 million in state money for repairs to the nearly 50-mile rail […]
What could Project 2025 mean for education in Virginia?
While Virginia leaders tout improvements in public education, they are still working to address achievement gaps, facility improvements and the diverse needs of students and educators. However, recommendations in Project 2025 — a conservative plan for how the country should operate if a Republican wins the White House — if implemented, could derail those efforts. […]
Virginia Board of Education approves changes to accreditation, accountability systems
The Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday approved the final touches on the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act plan, designed to address concerns with how schools were rated and student performance was measured to determine better how to direct state resources. During the special meeting in Richmond, the board approved Virginia’s ESSA plan, readiness weighting […]
Virginia students make some gains on annual test scores; schools see less absenteeism
Virginia students’ reading and math assessments for the 2023-24 school year saw some improvement over last year after months of recovery efforts, according to data released by the Department of Education Tuesday. However, pass rates in other subjects are still behind results from the 2022-23 school year. Pass rates for grades 3 through 8 in […]
Virginia’s public schools prepare for more political unrest in the new school year
Walkouts over mask mandates, overhauled transgender policies and gun violence have disrupted some high schools in Virginia in recent years. Now with public schools underway in a new year, educators are bracing for actions that could mimic spring protests on college campuses over the Israel-Hamas war. At a principals’ conference earlier this summer, education leaders […]
Federal court allows transgender student to try out for Virginia school sports team
A federal judge ordered Hanover County Public Schools late Friday to temporarily cease blocking a transgender middle school student from trying out for and, if selected, playing on a sports team this school year. In February, the student, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, […]
Youngkin administration issues draft of cell phone-free policies for schools
Virginia is moving closer to restricting cell phone use in schools after the Virginia Department of Education published a draft of its “cell phone-free” guidelines on Thursday after a series of public input events. The draft defines “cell phone-free” education as “bell-to-bell,” meaning phones should be turned off and stored away from the first school […]
Poll says most Virginians support K-12 students learning about history of race
Most Virginians agree that public K-12 schools should teach the history of race, but fewer say it should be required in colleges and universities, according to a poll conducted by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. The poll found that 75% of respondents supported such a curriculum […]
Virginia’s general revenue surplus reaches $1.2 billion
Virginia’s general revenue surplus reached $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2024, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced to lawmakers in Richmond on Wednesday. Youngkin said the impact results from job growth, economic development wins, regulatory streamlining, crime reduction, and “amazing” progress in education backed up by a legislative “game plan” that he said works. Last month, Virginia […]
Virginia designates additional aid for at-risk students
As Virginia schools reopen for a new school year, most of those serving low-income students or those identified as “at-risk” will receive $371.3 million in additional funding over the next two school years, according to the state budget. Lawmakers redirected approximately $650 million each year and added around $180 million yearly to develop the at-risk […]
Virginia Lottery generates a record-breaking $934 million for K-12 public education
The Virginia Lottery announced Wednesday that $934 million in fiscal year 2024 sales profits will benefit K-12 public education, a record amount. The total amount it collected for the fiscal year that ended June 30 was more than $5.5 billion. The Lottery’s total proceeds to public education stands at $13.6 billion, and the agency continues […]