A recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) has revealed that Virginia schools are underfunded compared to national and regional averages. Governor Glenn Youngkin has responded to the report, calling it a “wake-up call” and placing blame on previous administrations for the funding deficit. The JLARC study indicates that Virginia students receive approximately $1,900 less per student than the national average, and the current funding formula disproportionately impacts smaller school districts.
Governor Youngkin emphasized the need for education reform to direct funds towards improving student performance, supporting teachers, and achieving positive outcomes for parents. He highlighted his administration's commitment to education by passing the “largest education budget in history,” which included a 10% raise for teachers. A spokesperson for the Youngkin administration underscored the governor's dedication to both investing in crucial public services like education and lowering the cost of living for Virginians.
The JLARC report explicitly criticized the previous two administrations for not adequately funding K-12 education and for not implementing reforms to ensure that funding effectively supports students and teachers. While JLARC acknowledged the record education funding secured by the Youngkin administration, the governor maintains that systemic reform is crucial to address the underlying issues.
This report comes on the heels of the Nation's Report Card, which revealed a decline in Virginia students' math and reading scores since 2019. Education was a central theme of Youngkin's gubernatorial campaign, and he has reiterated his commitment to addressing the challenges facing the state's education system.
