Delegate Ken Plum's "Honesty Gap"

May 25, 2022

Pleased to be part of the ribbon cutting for the new HCA Emergency facility at the corner of Routes 7 and 123. Complete emergency room with all support. For more information on the facility and services, go to https://hcavirginia.com/campaigns/tysons-emergency

IN THIS ISSUE

Commentary: Honesty Gap
Bulletin Board
What Can I Do?
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COMMENTARY

Honesty Gap

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, measures the educational achievement and progress of the Nation’s students at established grades and ages with data that can be used to compare educational programs across state lines. According to NAEP, in 2019 the last year for which numbers are available because of the interruption of programs by COVID, Virginia students at the fourth-grade level scored third highest in the Nation for math performance and at the eighth-grade level scored seventh highest in the Nation. Virginia students ranked ninth in the country in reading performance. Appreciation is due to the parents, teachers and administrators who have made Virginia public schools among the best in the Nation.

Rather than getting a shout out of appreciation from the new administration in Richmond for the work being done in our public schools, a new 34-page report issued by the Department of Education does all it can to erode confidence in public schools and to create a false narrative that our schools are failing. Governor Youngkin presented the report flanked by his Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, both of whom were recruited from other states and come with reputations of criticizing public schools in favor of charter and other schools. The report, “Our Commitment to Virginians: High Expectations and Excellence for All Students,” along with an earlier report suggesting critical race theory and divisive concepts are in current school curriculum are the poorest and least helpful reports I have ever seen on public education.

The old saying that “figures do not lie, but liars figure” comes to mind when reading the most recent report. The report is heavy on data designed to make the case, but the data are often misinterpreted and misrepresented. School year 2020-2021 was one of the most challenging for the schools because of closures and virtual programming, but data from the year are blended in with regular years when convenient to make a point. Scores on the NAEP tests are compared with State Standards of Quality to attempt to challenge Virginia’s standing among the states as indicated above with what they term an “honesty gap.” They make no mention that the two scores are not comparable as their definitions of proficient are drastically different. NAEP officials have consistently advised against making use of such comparisons in making policy. The report itself creates an ”honesty gap” that raises suspicion about the remainder of its content.

The Governor has made clear his support for charter schools, and one of the outcomes of a report as this one is to build a case for charter schools as an alternative to public schools. Under current law charter schools can be established in the state, but few have been established because of the success of the public schools. There is no doubt that educational programs at all levels can be improved with adequate resources. Creating an honesty gap with what is happening in our schools is not a way to go about it.

BULLETIN BOARD

Final phase of Metro’s multi-year Platform Improvement Project begins this weekend, closing five Orange Line stations

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Details are at Metro Closures

Find COVID‑19 Vaccines By Age Group

Learn more at www.vaccines.gov

Summer Entertainment Series

Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series is back!

More shows at 18 locations, a new global dance and music series Wednesday evenings in Falls Church, Starlight drive-in movies in Centreville Saturday evenings in August, plus 180 live performances to choose from with outstanding local and national touring groups. Learn more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/performances.

WHAT CAN I DO? CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Join Your Community in Celebrating Reston's

Commitment to Inclusion and Equality

Read more about the schedule and other information at www.restonpride.org/reston-pride-2022

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Saturday, May 28, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., Sheriff's FREE Safety Seat Inspections, at Parking Garage, 3rd floor, 10550 Page Avenue, Fairfax. Specially trained and certified Sheriff's deputies check over 1,000 child safety seats every year and find that 80-90 percent have not been installed correctly. Either the safety seat was not properly secured in the vehicle or the child was not properly harnessed in the seat. To ensure that children are riding safely, the Sheriff’s Office conducts FREE monthly child safety seat events at the Fairfax County Public Safety Center to instruct and assist parents and caregivers. Contact: 2nd Lt. Donna Honse, 703-246-5005.

Sunday, May 29, noon to 5:00 p.m., Luau on the Lake, at Lake Anne Brew House. Join us to fill the food pantry! Please bring canned goods, non-perishables, and personal care items to fill the bins. More is at Luau.

Tuesday, May 31, 7:00 p.m., Building Resilient Communities: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Webinar. Learn how adversity during childhood affects the developing brain and body and the impacts later in life. The presentation will present an overview of the original ACE public health study and how it can guide and inform us today to create communities that support resiliency for all. Register here.

Thursday, June 2, to Sunday, June 5, Herndon Carnival, at Northwest Federal Credit Union, 200 Spring Street. Enjoy over 22 carnival rides, games, delicious foods, free shuttle bus, and free admission. Learn more at https://herndoncarnival.net

Thursday, June 2, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Medicare 101 Online Event. A Comprehensive Training on Eligibility, Coverage, Rights, Benefits, and Enrollment. This online event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required! Visit Medicare 101 to register.

Saturday, June 4, Reston Gardens of Note 2022, Self-Guided Garden Tour: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Garden Party: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Experience the sights, sounds, and fragrances of five notable private residential gardens in Reston on the self-guided 2022 Gardens of Note tour, including musical performances. Presented by the Reston Chorale in partnership with the Reston Garden Club and Hidden Lane Residential Landscapes; $20 in advance and $25 on tour day. Tickets and information are at restonchorale.org.

Saturday, June 4, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., 2022 Reston Pride Festival, at Lake Anne Plaza. Since 2018, Reston Pride has operated as a grassroots organization serving Northern Virginia focused on ensuring a truly inclusive Reston region through engagement with the community and providing quality education and resources about LGBTQIA+ history and culture to LGBTQIA+ persons and their allies. Information on this year's event is at You Belong Here.

Tuesday, June 14, 10:00 a.m., Gun Violence Awareness Vigil at National Rifle Association headquarters, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax. The vigil commemorates the anniversary of the day 26 children and educators were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please DO NOT park in the NRA's parking lot. There is plenty of free parking in the office building lot on Fairfax Ridge Drive across Waples Mill Road. Signs and flags will be provided. Some protesters will drive past the NRA with signs taped to their car windows or doors; others will stand on the sidewalk.