Sunday, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) ripped into liberal educators in the state for placing a “maniacal focus on equal outcomes” over the future prospects of its students.
According to ABC7 News, schools in Fairfax County admitted to withholding national merit recognition from students when it mattered most.
As college application deadlines passed, the schools “failed to notify students about receiving the National Merit Scholarship commendation, a prestigious award used for college and scholarship applications,” the Daily Caller reports.
In an interview with ABC7, Youngkin said, “I think this is part of our investigation,” nodding to Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares’ investigation into the schools.
“[Fairfax County Public Schools has] a maniacal focus on equal outcomes for all students at all costs. And at the heart of the American dream, is excelling, is advancing, is stretching, and recognizing that we have students that have different capabilities. Some students have the ability to perform at one level, others need more help, and we have to allow students to run as fast as they can to dream the biggest dreams they can possibly dream and then go get them,” the governor continued.
In response to Youngkin’s concerns, CNN’s Nia-Malika Henderson dismissed him, saying his comments stem from his “maniacal focus on higher office,” referencing his reported presidential ambitions.
DISINFORMATION: CNN's Nia-Malika Henderson tries to dismiss Youngkin's concerns about Fairfax County schools putting equity over merit as just his "maniacal focus on higher office" and isn't a real issue. pic.twitter.com/5eeh42ZaaV
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) January 17, 2023
In remarks to ABC7, Youngkin also singled out Fairfax County Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, who spent $450,000 on “equity” consulting.
“The reality is that we have a superintendent in Fairfax schools who have explicitly stated that her top objective is equal outcomes for all students, regardless of the price.”
“Now we know the price includes paying $450,000 to a liberal consultant to come in and teach the administrators in Fairfax County how to do this. What it appears happened is that principals in schools decided that they were going to systematically withhold accolades and a path to college admission and scholarships from high-performing students,” Youngkin continued in the interview.
In an email, Superintendent Reid vowed to provide citizens transparency in Fairfax County Public Schools’ review of the situation.
