The 17 school divisions that comprise Region III did not go as far as the eight Northern Virginia school boards that recently requested the state Department of Education delay the implementation of its new assessment and accountability system.
But during a breakfast gathering held Tuesday morning in the Spotsylvania County Public Schools boardroom, Region III school officials presented state legislators with a list of priorities — a list that included major adjustments to the new model for measuring school success.
“[Monday] several school districts in the north put out a letter to the governor’s office to halt the implementation of the new framework,” Spotsylvania Superintendent Clint Mitchell said. “For us as a region, while we may not be asking to halt the implementation completely, if that’s not possible, we would like to make some recommendations.”
In addition to Spotsylvania, Region III includes Stafford, Fredericksburg, Caroline and King George as well as several localities in the Northern Neck. Stafford did not participate in the breakfast and was not included in the program submitted to the state officials on hand.
Del. Bobby Orrock (R-Spotsylvania) and Del. Josh Cole (D-Fredericksburg) were both in attendance along with aides for Del. Phillip Scott (R-Spotsylvania), Sen. Tara Durant (R-Stafford) and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District). Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Westmoreland) and Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) were invited but did not attend or send a staff member.
The region laid out its proposal to the representatives to encourage them to have dialogue with their colleagues in the General Assembly. On assessment reform, school officials are asking that cut score changes be implemented before the start of a new academic year instead of mid-year; that the state provide an alternative assessment alongside the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program for students with special needs; to reduce the number of proficiency tests “to allow more time for meaningful instruction and deeper learning;” and to expand options for local growth assessments.
“Del. Cole said, ‘I need you to let me know what you want me to fight for in Richmond,’” Mitchell told attendees. “I thought that was a great question, and he said, ‘The reason why I’m asking is, because over the last couple of years, I heard what not to fight for.’ Today is an attempt to really try to get our elected officials, so we can all be on the same page about what we want you to fight for, for us as a region.”
Fifteen Spotsylvania schools are labeled “Off Track” or “Needs Intensive Support” under the state’s new guidelines, which is not unique; more than 60% of schools in the state would fall into those categories, including nine in Stafford, all five in Caroline, all four in Fredericksburg and one in King George.
Under accountability reform, the region is asking the state to amend the definition of chronic absenteeism to differentiate between types of absences; to rename the “Off Track” category used to label schools who aren’t succeeding; to fully fund supports for schools that are not meeting the mark; to provide funding for small school divisions to meet 3E (Enlistment, Enrollment, Employment) needs; to approve work-based learning experiences and to expand middle school readiness to include areas beyond mathematics.
One change the region would prefer not to see concerns when English Language Learners’ (ELL) SOL scores begin to count toward a school’s overall rating. Currently, ELLs must be enrolled for 11 consecutive semesters before their scores are counted toward a school’s performance; the proposed standards lowers that timeframe to three semesters.
“Being a former ELL student myself, when I came to this country [from St. Lucia] on Nov. 12, 1989, I know what public education has meant to me, and I know what’s it’s for me to be here today,” Mitchell said. “As a former ELL student, time and time and time matters as we master the language.”
The region also asked legislators to advocate for Career and Technical Education (CTE) improvements, Dual Enrollment opportunities and funding to assist with the Virginia Literacy Act. School safety, school construction and modernization, broadband connectivity in rural areas and social-emotional learning were also among the priorities.
The region is asking for Standards of Quality funding to reduce the student-to-counselor ratio to 1:250; the student-to-psychologist ratio to 1:500 and the student-to-social worker ratio to 1:250. School officials also want funding for mental health first aid certification for all teachers.
Mitchell mentioned a state budget surplus totaling $3.2 billion, but Orrock said a lot of those funds will go toward “contingency projects” that were already in place as legislators waited to see the size of the surplus.
Orrock asked regional school officials to prioritize their priorities.
“I’m not going to sit up here and tell you that any of these can be accomplished, especially anything that has money with it,” Orrock said. “But I can tell you we will try.”
Cole noted that he is not a part of the committees that work on appropriations or education, but he has forged strong relationships with members of each group and will advocate for the region’s needs.
“I feel like a lot of times this region is overlooked,” Cole said. “From Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads and Richmond, they get their priorities, and our area just gets skipped over. So, I’ve been trying my best to nudge the speaker, nudge the chairman of appropriations to let them know these are things we need for this area.”
Cole suggested the region explore hiring a lobbyist. Fredericksburg City Schools Superintendent Marci Catlett said lobbyists helped her district secure $7 million toward a new middle school and $500,000 to enhance CTE labs and other projects. Cole said Stafford also employs a lobbyist.
“When you have your own lobbyist, they can pinpoint just what you need for your division, and hit the pavement,” Catlett said … “We can’t be [in Richmond] every day and they’re there advocating on our behalf.”
