House committee approves diversity, inclusion changes to Governor’s School admissions

A bill that seeks to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in Virginia Governor’s Schools through changes in admissions processes, passed with amendments in a 5-3 party-line vote in the House Education Subcommittee.

House Bill 2305, which was introduced by Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Emporia, on Jan. 19, “requires the Board of Education to issue guidance on the governance of academic year Governor’s Schools, including communications and outreach practices, admissions policies, and guidelines on diversity, equity and inclusion training,” according to Virginia’s Legislative Information System.

Atif Qarni, the Virginia secretary of education, said Monday that this much-needed and long-overdue legislation.

“The lack of guidance has resulted in some of our larger Governor’s Schools to shut out students,” Qarni said in the subcommittee meeting. “This has created significant opportunity gaps.”

Qarni attributed some educational opportunity gaps to limited communication and outreach efforts to inform parents about Governor’s Schools, current admissions policies, and pipelines.

“This bill will create an opportunity for the Board of Education to look at all of these things holistically and put out thoughtful guidelines based on good model practices,” Qarni said.

Qarni also emphasized the intent of engaging all relevant stakeholders, including local school boards and Parent Teacher Associations.

Del. Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach, opposes the bill.

“I think the way we increase the pipeline is not by putting in legislation that lowers the bar of an amazing Governor’s School, but instead, lifts up more students who can rise to meet that bar,” Davis said Monday.

In support of the bill, Del. Elizabeth Guzman, D-Woodbridge, responded to Davis’s stance and said: “Some statements were made here that if we diversify the admission process that it’s going to lower the bar of those schools. I don’t think that’s accurate, and it actually sounded very offensive.”

Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax Station, also supported HB 2305. He explained how the bill would require guidelines, not regulations. Guidelines would give the Board of Education a chance to put together the best practices for diversity and inclusion, as opposed to state mandated regulations, which are harder for opposers to support.

Voting for the bill were Bulova, Guzman, Del. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Sterling; Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico; and Del. Shelly Simonds, D-Newport News. Opposed were Davis, Del. Roxann Robinson, R-Chesterfield, and Del. Bill Wiley, R-Winchester.