Chairman Steve Knotts Calls for Parental Choice in Education
Citing the “detrimental effects” of the educational status quo, Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts is calling for the county’s government-run schools to reopen their doors — or give out vouchers so families can find alternatives.
“For too many students, virtual learning has been a disaster,” Knotts said today. “Sadly, the detrimental effects of long-term school closures are not confined to academics — the mental health consequences of social isolation are very real.”
The chairman’s statement comes on the heels of data revealing that Fairfax County Public Schools is failing students in record numbers. The district’s middle schoolers with “F” grades in two or more classes increased 300% this year; for high schoolers it was a 50% increase. In both middle school and high school, more than 1 in 5 Hispanic students now have “F” grades in two or more classes. More than a fifth of students with disabilities have “F” grades in two or more classes as well.
Notwithstanding the district’s failures, Fairfax Dems unleashed a tweetstorm Tuesday evening, raging against critics of the “all-Democratic Fairfax County School Board.” In a recent meeting, county Democrats formally vowed to back all current school board members, including those facing down a grassroots recall effort.
“It is regrettable that county, state and national Democrat leaders seem to be more focused on the demands of unions than student learning and well-being,” Knotts said today. “Parents in Fairfax County desperately need the option of in-person education for their children. We invite all Democrats to join us in demanding real solutions for county families.”