This article was written by Debra Tisler, an educator, parent and tireless advocate for a stronger education system in Fairfax County. In 2023, Debra was the Fairfax GOP-endorsed candidate for school board in the county’s Springfield Magisterial District.

Fairfax County Public Schools has made another major mistake! They have once again
placed bureaucratic convenience over the needs of children and families. The latest decision by
FCPS and its School Board to redraw school boundaries and shuffle students around is a clear
example of their failed policies and leadership.

Why is FCPS redrawing school boundaries? The answer is simple. FCPS prioritizes
bureaucratic convenience in a last-ditch effort to meet future school accreditation standards.

Facing a decline in academic achievement, FCPS is making these changes just as Governor
Glenn Youngkin and his administration have raised academic rigor for all K-12 students.

Instead of prioritizing high-quality instruction to meet higher expectations, FCPS has
focused on shuffling students around. This strategy aims to balance performance scores across
the district by transferring lower-performing students to schools with higher-performing students
and vice versa.

This approach results in nothing more than smoke and mirrors. It does not address the
underlying need for improved instruction. Instead, it masks the problem rather than solving it,
creating a system where more schools achieve average performance levels without truly
enhancing the quality of education.

Decades of research have shown that direct instruction and evidence-based reading
practices, such as systematically and explicitly teaching phonics, significantly improve student
success rates regardless of background. Yet, FCPS has failed to consistently implement these
effective teaching methods across all schools. Instead, the district relies on outdated snake oil
studies and questionable strategies to justify boundary changes.

A 2013 study revisited by the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Research and
Strategic Improvement (ORSI) suggested that reducing the concentration of economically
disadvantaged students in any given school could help close achievement gaps. Relying on such
studies rather than focusing on direct instructional improvements represents a significant breach
of fiduciary duties to students and taxpayers.

By focusing on boundary changes rather than investing in proven educational strategies,
FCPS is neglecting its responsibilities. The decision to fund and rely on snake oil studies rather
than addressing the instructional needs of students reveals a misallocation of resources that fails
to serve the best interests of the children, families and taxpayers of Fairfax County.

The actions of FCPS aren’t just a failure in educational policy but a betrayal of trust.
Hey FCPS, it’s time to put students first and make real changes that matter. Only then can
we ensure a brighter future for ALL children!