An extensive list of organizations of educators throughout Virginia have put their names to an appeal to new Virginia Governor Youngkin to terminate what they term a “divisive” so-called “tip line” that urges parents to report perceived problems directly to the governor’s office. Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan is among the many educators who are represented by the groups.
The statement is reprinted here in full:
“Throughout the past year, Virginia’s students, teachers, and principals have been caught in the middle of a politically driven culture war that has eroded trust in our schools and exacerbated the growing teacher shortage.1 The tip line that Governor Youngkin established for parents and citizens to report teachers, principals, or instructional materials directly to the Governor’s office, based on a subjective definition of “divisive,” has already proven to be divisive itself. The tip line will impede parent-to-school collaboration and directly undermine the very factors that educators know contribute to student success, including having high quality teachers in classrooms.
“The signing organizations agree with Executive Order #1 language that states, “We must equip our teachers to teach our students the entirety of our history – both good and bad.” Existing state curriculum has been carefully vetted by the community in a thoughtful and inclusive process. It already meets the Executive Order’s definition of non-divisive. No existing Standard of Learning is intended to teach children that one race is superior or inferior to another. Recognizing difficult moments in our nation’s past is not, in itself, divisive. Restricting age-appropriate and factually accurate discussion led by well-trained teachers is divisive. Additionally, encouraging the community to report teachers, principals and other school staff on a tip line is divisive, unnecessary, and can be used to interrupt instruction and cause harm to educators. Appropriate processes are already established in every Virginia school division to address controversial or potentially inappropriate instructional practices.
“We call on Governor Youngkin to immediately shut down the tip line and rescind Executive Order No. 1.
“Virginia’s public education system consistently ranks among the top public education systems in the United States because of high academic standards, personalized learning, and a safe and inclusive school climate which are central to student academic success.2
“Public education in Virginia recognizes that every child is different, learns differently, and has unique learning needs. In classrooms across Virginia, you will find teachers personalizing learning to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of each student. Students are provided choices about how they learn within the approved Standards of Learning curriculum. Parents and educators have a shared goal of helping students learn how to think, not what to think. Across academic disciplines, fine arts pathways, and career/technical programs, students are encouraged to think critically, be creative, be strong communicators and collaborators, and support their community. These skills, which are essential to student success beyond high school, are central to the Profile of a Virginia Graduate.
“Student achievement tests, state-wide literacy assessments, growth measures in reading and mathematics, and teachers’ formative assessments throughout the school year provide multiple opportunities for students, parents, and teachers to work together to identify areas for student academic growth.
“Virginia’s School Quality Profiles provide parents and citizens with data on student performance, teacher quality, school climate, school accreditation, and other factors that impact student success. Parents and community members can use these reports to directly monitor the quality of education in their schools and seek improvements.
“Online learning management systems (i.e., Schoology, Canvas, Blackboard, etc.) are used in school divisions across Virginia to support student learning and provide parents with the ability to see instructional materials used in the classroom, submitted student work, and student academic progress.
“Principals and school staff work directly with parents daily to address unique concerns of individual students and families and provide accommodations to create a welcoming, inclusive school climate for every student.
“Parents have always had an active role in our schools and classrooms across the Commonwealth. It is common to find parent volunteers in the classroom working alongside teachers, running after-school extra/co-curricular programs, and hosting opportunities for the school community to connect with school staff over a community activity or meal.
“Parents also serve on school-based strategic planning teams and school board advisory committees and provide input on curriculum and policies that impact students with disabilities, gifted programs, career and technical education, student mental health, school safety, school nutrition, minority student achievement, and library book selection, among others. Current protocols for textbook adoption and the selection of library materials are already established for parents to be engaged.
“School board policies are available to the public and provide guidance for the adoption of textbook and curriculum materials. Policies also exist for the review of library materials and they specify the process to accommodate parental challenges.
“We call on the Governor and all policymakers to refocus on nurturing and supporting the collaborative partnerships between parents and schools that have always been a hallmark of student success in Virginia.
“Virginia Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators (VACTE) Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals (VAESP) Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS)
Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (VASCD) Virginia Counselors Association (VCA)
Virginia Education Association (VEA)
Virginia Parent Teacher Association (Virginia PTA)
Virginia Professors and Educational Leadership (VPEL)”
