Gov. Youngkin responds to proposed Virginia school history standards backlash
BRISTOL, Va. (WCYB) — Virginia's governor says his administration acknowledges "omissions and mistakes" in their proposal for changes in history standards for public schools.
"We are going to continue this journey together to make sure that we have the best curriculum in America," said Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
This, after the Virginia Board of Education rejected a revised version of the state's K-12 history standards proposed by his administration.
Last week, residents across the state showed up to voice their concerns during a meeting of the board of education, with a public comment period that lasted hours.
"I believe that teaching history is a far more difficult challenge, because of not just teaching facts -- they have the responsibility, history teachers, of shedding light on these very complicated stories," said David Barringer, who voiced concern at the meeting.
According to Virginia law, history standards are required to be updated every 7 years, with Youngkin saying it has been a work in progress.
"To do that in a way that is age appropriate, and to involve lots of people in that process, there was extraordinary work that was done in the previous administration, and we've picked that up, and continued it."
Critics say the Youngkin administration's draft included several missteps and reframed race relations.
But he says his administration is not trying to whitewash history.
"As our aspiration has been since day one and continues to be, to teach our history, the good and the bad."
The board is slated to meet again in early 2023, and will be asked to accept a first review draft that would merge elements from the Youngkin and Northam versions of the documents.
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