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Gaslighting the Public: Misinterpreting Student Performance and NAEP Scores (3 of 3)
Although Governor Youngkin was lambasted 18 months ago for his inaccurate conclusions about the current state of Virginia Public...

Marianne Burke, PhD
Oct 11, 20233 min read


Book Bans by any other Name Smell like Censorship
After a recent school board meeting, I was distracted by a Fairfax GOP-endorsed school board candidate yelling at me, when her friend...

Vanessa Hall
Oct 10, 20233 min read


Raise your Hand for Healthy School Environments Symposium
We need to allow people to talk and we need to be open-minded. Our differences don’t need to divide us–they can bring us together. - Dr....

Marianne Burke, PhD
Oct 5, 20232 min read


School Board Matters: A Focus on Literacy by Third Grade!
School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog called “School Board...

Vanessa Hall
Oct 5, 20233 min read


Unstoppable Stories: Banned Books Week (October 1-7)
As you may know, book bans have been on the rise with requests to ban books at record high in 2022. Like you, 4 Public Education is...

Vanessa Hall
Sep 30, 20234 min read


Get Involved in Renaming Woodson High School
After more than 60 years of being named for an active promoter of Massive Resistance to desegregation and FCPS's second longest FCPS...

Vanessa Hall
Sep 26, 20231 min read


Gaslighting the Public: Manufactured Crisis over SOL Scores (2 of 3)
For two years in a row, Governor Youngkin has blamed slow growth and recovery of SOL test scores on his predecessors and pandemic school...

Marianne Burke (PhD) and Vanessa Hall
Sep 19, 20235 min read


Gaslighting the Public: Manufactured SAT Crisis (1 of 3)
Governor Youngkin continues to gaslight the public by manufacturing problems that he continues to blame on public schools in Virginia....

Marianne Burke, PhD
Aug 30, 20233 min read


FCPS Rallies in Support of Transgender Students
On August 15, 2023, FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid made an official statement after community members expressed concern about...

Vanessa Hall
Aug 25, 20232 min read


Welcome Back to School!
Families across Fairfax County are busy with supply lists and getting kids out of the house on time, while teachers are working hard to...

4PE Team
Aug 24, 20232 min read


Reject Youngkin's "Don't Be Trans" School Policies
Last week, Glenn Youngkin’s Department of Education released their so-called “ Model Policies on Ensuring Privacy, Dignity, and Respect...

Vanessa Hall
Jul 27, 20233 min read


We are Not Fine: One Student's Struggle with Suicide
Meg, an eighth grader, has struggled with suicide. After seeking help, they bravely share their experience to the Fairfax County School Board on May 25, 2023, in order to help parents and other adults know how to support their own children and students in Fairfax County. This speech, research, and consultations with mental health experts are part of their Silver Award project for Girl Scouts. Please note that this speech contains sensitive content. “Don’t judge a situation y

Meg, guest student blogger
Jun 1, 20232 min read


Teacher Appreciation Week 2.0
Some teachers will get gift cards, or mugs or flowers. Some will get a child’s smile or no notice at all. What would really say teachers...

Cheryl Binkley
May 11, 20231 min read


Put Mental Health First
One in six kids aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, and half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14 with up to one-half of those untreated. Unfortunately, suicide is second only to gun violence as the leading cause of death for young people (aged 10-34), so thank you, Fairfax County School Board members, for using ESSR III funds for counselors, psychologists, social workers, and family liaisons to support students’ social emotional needs. Your

Vanessa Hall
May 3, 20232 min read


Political drama over Virginia History Standards
Finally! On April 20, 2023 the revised Virginia History and Social Studies Standards of Learning (History SOL) was approved by the...

Marianne Burke, PhD
Apr 27, 20234 min read


Exercise your Rights, Parents!
Last week, Republicans passed a “Parent’s Bill of Rights” in the House, which is likely to fail in the Senate. Democrats and some...

Vanessa Hall
Mar 31, 20235 min read


Education or Indoctrination? Review of the Virginia History Standards Hearings
By the time you read this blog, public input will be closed for the Virginia History and Social Studies Standards of Learning (History...

Marianne Burke (PhD) and Vanessa Hall
Mar 22, 20232 min read


Our Schools are not Your Battleground: CNN Town Hall Review
CNN did no one any favors by framing the Youngkin Town Hall as “The War Over Education with Glenn Youngkin,” yet to many watching, it...

Vanessa Hall
Mar 16, 20232 min read


Los SRO no son la Solución para Tener Escuelas Seguras
Redacte este correo electrónico en medio de varias tragedias estudiantiles que afectaron a las Escuelas Públicas de Arlington hace unas...

Anjy Cramer
Mar 8, 20233 min read


No Family is Immune from Opioids
Like many in my upper middle-class community, I felt that my family was immune from drug addiction, but when my daughter was a senior in...
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Mar 1, 20234 min read
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Trump’s “Patriotic Education” Edict Causes Harm and Citizens Should Object
Discover how Virginia's resistance to Trump's "patriotic education" edict sets a precedent for the nation. Learn why citizens should object to Trump's harmful edict, which attempts to rewrite American history.


At the Statehouse: Crossover is Complete as General Assembly Season Nears the End
Explore how the Virginia General Assembly's 2026 crossover was a success for bills from both houses. As the General Assembly session draws to a close, education and budget decisions continue to be made by legislators and Governor Spanberger. Learn more now.


Will They or Won't They? Congress Unlikely to Approve Closure of Dept of Education
Explore why Congress is unlikely to approve the closure of the Department of Education despite pressure from the Trump Administration. Discover impacts on our students' opportunities and education as the Trump Administration continues to defund and destroy the Department of Education.
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