by Kerry Dougherty
Need proof that Virginia Democrats learned absolutely nothing from last November’s GOP sweep of the top elected jobs in the commonwealth plus control of the House of Delegates?
How about this:
I am proud to chair the Senate Committee that rejected every attempt to undermine our public schools this year. pic.twitter.com/0O5o4uwo2b
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) April 2, 2022
Yep, this far-left, aging obstructionist actually brags about an award from the Virginia Education Association. You know, the militant teachers’ group that fought to keep schools closed and students in masks.
They’re still fuming that they can’t bring masks back on a whim, thanks to Republicans in the General Assembly and a handful of smart Democrats who disobeyed Lucas and voted for the new law that took decisions about forced masking away from capricious school boards.
Gosh, so many Virginia Dems were worthy of this bowling ball “award.” How did Lucas distinguish herself to the VEA? Looks like she won for her spiteful efforts to thwart Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s initiatives at the expense of Virginia’s schoolchildren.
For example, Lucas worked hard to block charter schools.
The Old Dominion has fewer charter schools — just eight — than almost any other state. Only 1,218 Virginia kids are enrolled.
And it’ll stay that way until the GOP takes the State Senate, apparently. In fact, according to publiccharters.org, Virginia ranks 42nd out of the 44 states that allow charter schools.
Nationally, 3.4 million students attend charter schools and 60% of those kids are African-American or Hispanic.
What exactly are charter schools?
All charter schools are tuition-free public schools—open to all students, regardless of their zip code. The charter school model empowers teachers to provide innovative, high-quality instruction and gives them the autonomy to design a classroom that fits their students’ needs. Charter schools are led by dynamic principals who have the flexibility to create a school culture that fosters student performance and parent satisfaction. Charter schools are held accountable to the performance standards they agree to in their charter and by their communities.
In other words, these are free public schools that don’t answer to their local school boards. Instead, they are accountable to their own governing board and parents. About 58% of students enrolled in charter schools are eligible for free-and-reduced lunches. These are often families that can’t afford private school and have turned to charters to give their kids a better education.
Of course the VEA loathes charter schools — they compete with existing schools for students — and so does Lucas.
How dare parents take their kids out of their neighborhood school and find a better place for them?
Lucas won this award in part for keeping this successful education model out of Virginia and our kids locked into their zip-code schools.
After all, why should poor parents enjoy school choice? That privilege should be only available to wealthy and upper-class parents who can afford private schools.
I hesitate to point this out, but Portsmouth public schools are among the worst in the commonwealth. Apparently, Lucas wants her constituents to shut up and just be satisfied with whatever the local schools are serving. There are plenty of job opportunities in Portsmouth’s fast food joints. The kids’ll be fine.
So what HAS Lucas done for her constituents,? Let’s see, she legalized casinos and weed. And oh, and she’s a strong supporter of abortions.
Improving educational opportunities for Virginia’s kids seems to be far down Lucas’ list.
No wonder the VEA honored her.
