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VDOE's Dishonesty about Virginia's Math Scores (Part I)
Uncover how Virginia's math performance is misrepresented by VDOE's Secretary Aimee Guidera.

Cheryl Binkley
Mar 12, 20253 min read


At the Statehouse: End of General Assembly Session
The 2025 General Assembly Session ended on February 22. Sadly, bills that called for improved funding for public education were defeated in the legislature. This was even after the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recommended there be substantial increases in funding for Virginia’s public schools as these school systems are seriously underfunded. All six of 4 Public Education’s priority bills failed, as have some other bills that 4 Public Education suppor

Marianne Burke, PhD
Feb 26, 20253 min read


At the Statehouse: Few Priority Education Bills Remain and Budget Negotiations are Impending
February 4th was Crossover, which is the last day for each chamber to act on its own bills. After that date, all bills that passed in each chamber crossed over to the other chamber for consideration. By February 6th proposed amendments to the existing budget by the Governor and the money committees of both chambers were published online. February 20th is the last day legislators can act on bills and appoint conferees, and February 22nd is the day this legislative session adjo

Marianne Burke, PhD
Feb 13, 20254 min read


Executive Orders: A Real and Presidential Danger to Public Education
Executive Orders Harming Public Education If you’ve been hiding under a rock (or your bed), you may have missed the news of the myriad of Executive Orders (EOs) coming out of the White House in President Trump’s first couple of weeks in office. Trump has signed more EOs in his first 10 days than any President in their first 100 days. These EOs are Project 2025 incarnate, each worse than the one before it: pardoning violent criminals, removing critical environmental protectio

Vanessa Hall
Feb 6, 20255 min read


At the Virginia Statehouse: Priority Education Bills are In Play
This is the second full week of the 2025 General Assembly and all 4 Public Education’s priority education bills are still in play, either...

Marianne Burke, PhD
Jan 28, 20254 min read


At the Virginia Statehouse: Quick Updates on a Quick Session
Because this is an odd year, as opposed to an even year, the Virginia General Assembly session will be short, lasting only 30 days. For...

Marianne Burke, PhD
Jan 17, 20251 min read


Governor Youngkin and Superintendent Coons' Magic Math won’t Fool Virginians or Fix Schools
When the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) rolled out its proposed Accreditation and Accountability Framework in June of 2024, they...

Cheryl Binkley2
Nov 24, 20244 min read


When Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric Seeps into Public School Discussions
Combatting Disinformation is Harder than Sharing It There is so much disinformation floating around these days that it is hard to do much...

Vanessa Hall
Oct 17, 202412 min read


Fordham and Petrilli on Virginia Public Schools: Desire, Influence, and Controversy
Michael Petrilli Wants Virginia and He Wants Her Bad The Thomas B. Fordham Institute labels itself as “America's leading education reform...

Cheryl Binkley
Oct 15, 20244 min read


Exciting Upcoming Events for September and October 2025!
We just updated our Events Calendar for the 2024-25 School Year with our September 26th Road Trip to Richmond (NOTE: VBOE date change!),...

Marianne Burke (PhD) and Vanessa Hall
Sep 18, 20243 min read


Despite Public Outcry, Youngkin's VDOE Passes Controversial Accountability Policy
Report Out on the 8/28/24 Virginia Board of Education Meeting Despite citizens across Virginia rallying to action , the Virginia Board of Education (VBOE), approved Governor Youngkin’s Virginia Department of Education’s (VDOE) amendments to Virginia’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan per Nathaniel Cline’s reporting in the Virginia Mercury . This is not surprising since VBOE is made up almost entirely of Youngkin appointees who overwhelmingly have voiced support for defu

Vanessa Hall
Aug 30, 202411 min read


Project 2025 is Coming for Our Schools
Public education is on the ballot this November The outcome of the next presidential election is destined to influence K-12 public...

Marianne Burke, PhD
Aug 13, 202410 min read


A Coalition of Public School Advocates Demand Action from Governor Youngkin
In collaboration with the Virginia Grassroots Coalition , 4 Public Education initiated a letter to Governor Youngkin about the upcoming...

Marianne Burke, PhD
May 10, 20241 min read


Lawsuits, Another Far Right Tool To Defund Public Education
The National Merit Commended Certificate "Crisis" School Districts are Under Fire School districts across the country are under fire. The assaults on our school systems are not just being fought just at school board meetings and by FOIA, but they are also being conducted through politically motivated lawsuits and investigations, many of which lack merit. Here in Northern Virginia, we are in the eye of the storm with near constant politically-motivated news coverage, lawsuits

Vanessa Hall
Mar 28, 202423 min read


Crossover Looming at the Statehouse
The pace has picked up in Virginia’s General Assembly as we approach some key deadlines. ‘Crossover’ is February 13, the deadline by which legislators must complete work on bills originating in the House of Delegates or the Senate. Any bills that have not passed their respective chamber will be left behind for this legislative session. In addition, deadlines loom for each chamber to complete their budget amendment bills. The House Appropriations and the Senate Finance an

Marianne Burke, PhD
Feb 7, 20243 min read


Priority Education Bills are Advancing at the Statehouse
February 3rd will end the third week of the 2024 Session of Virginia’s General Assembly. At the time of this writing, one priority education bill has cleared the Senate (SB14) and most of the other priority education bills 4 Public Education endorses are working their way through the committees. One of the bills we opposed (SJ9) was defeated. The early success this year is at least in part due to the vigorous support of these bills by public education advocates who have been

Marianne Burke, PhD
Feb 1, 20243 min read


School Board Matters: Honoring Outgoing School Board Members
December 14, 2023 School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars. Our “School Board Matters” blog will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of the Fairfax County School Board, including their powers and duties, as governed by the Cod

Vanessa Hall
Dec 19, 20233 min read


School Board Matters: Conflict on the Dais
December 4, 2023 School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars. Our “School Board Matters” blog will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of the Fairfax County School Board, including their powers and duties, as governed by the Code

Vanessa Hall
Dec 14, 20235 min read


School Board Matters: Blue Skies and Smiles Shining So Bright
November 9, 2023 School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog called “School Board Matters” for 2023-24. It will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of the Fairfax County School Boa

Vanessa Hall
Nov 15, 20238 min read


School Board Matters: Academic Growth and Family Engagement
October 26, 2023 School Board meetings have become ground zero for the culture wars, so 4 Public Education is introducing a new blog called “School Board Matters” for 2023-24. It will include analysis and links to video, agenda, and votes that affect you and your student(s), including links to primary source documents to support involvement in your student’s experience and education. We hope this will provide better access to and understanding of the Fairfax County School Boa

Vanessa Hall
Nov 2, 20235 min read
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Fake Scandals Create Real Legal Costs for Fairfax County Taxpayers
Explore the impact of on school systems due to fake scandals that create real legal costs for taxpayers. Discover how the legal costs associated with the manufactured abortion scandal has likely exceeded $6 million in one year!


Independence 250: Embracing Our Diversity for a United Future
Independence Day marks a milestone in American history, but it also represents something deeply personal for each individual. As the nation celebrated its 250th anniversary this weekend, it was clear that independence means more than just a date on the calendar. Whether people attended local celebrations or those on the National Mall, Independence Day means the freedom to express, to celebrate, and to honor this day in ways that reflect our unique values and traditions.


Compromise Achieved: How the Proposed Budget Will Impact Public Education
Explore how the budget compromise will impact public education in Virginia. Discover key changes and their positive effects on K-12 funding today.
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