The Virginia Association of School Superintendents released a letter on behalf of Virginia’s 133 division superintendents criticizing Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow after the Youngkin administration published Balow’s 30-day report on steps taken to remove divisive concepts. The letter says superintendents should have been consulted, and the removal of many equity-related materials, with an administration emphasis on equitable opportunities, not outcomes, could be harmful.
“School division superintendents, along with their communities, know best their curriculum, personnel, and student services, and they believe that gross assumptions have been made, without evidentiary support, in the development of the 30-day report,” the letter signed by VASS Executive Director Howard Kiser states.
The letter was initially highlighted by media and politicians as a sign of unified district-level opposition to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s efforts to remove Critical Race Theory and divisive concepts from schools.
When asked if all 133 superintendents signed the letter, or if there was a vote on the letter, Kiser told The Virginia Star, “The VASS Board, made up of eight Regional Chairs, who are sitting superintendents and represent all eight geographic regions in the state, plus four officers, who are also sitting superintendents, crafted and adopted the letter to be sent on behalf of the 133.”
The VASS letter disagrees with the idea of “restoring excellence” to Virginia schools, saying that Virginia’s schools rank well among other states. It includes other criticisms.
“Division superintendents disagree with your having rescinded much of the Ed Equity work by the Department of Education. This work had been completed by many quality educators over a number of years to provide support for the success of children in underserved communities and in select population on groups,” the letter states.
Another point in the letter states, “Division superintendents disagree with your using ‘equitable outcomes’ as the basis for determining what divisive concepts are and unilaterally suggesting that this approach is discriminatory.”
“Your use of ‘equitable opportunities’ in lieu of ‘equitable outcomes,’ without considering those factors that impact student achievement in underserved communities, can set public education in Virginia back many years. Quality education in Virginia has to be more than providing opportunities and hoping for the best,” the letter states.
The VASS letter says division superintendents should have been consulted first, and should be consulted first in the future.
In a statement, Balow said, “The letter fails to reflect the good faith efforts of which the Secretary and I joined the conversation. The specific requests listed in the letter are actions that the Secretary and I offered to the superintendents as a way to keep open productive channels of communication that could lead to partnership and ensure we are serving all students in Virginia.”
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Glenn Youngkin” by Glenn Youngkin.
