Governor's School Admissions Legislation Heads To VA Governor

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Wednesday, the Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation on restricting certain practices at governor's schools, following passage by the Virginia Senate. The legislation centers around the battle over the new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

The House of Delegates voted 63-35 for the legislation, following a 26-13 vote from the Virginia Senate. The legislation introduced by Del. Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach) prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The legislation also requires information on students' race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin to be withheld from individuals making admissions decisions to the greatest extent possible.

While the legislation doesn't specifically mention Thomas Jefferson High School, the Associated Press reported it resulted from the debate over the school's new admissions policy. In December 2020, the Fairfax County School Board adopted the new admissions policy with a goal of improving diversity. Black and Hispanic students have been historically underrepresented at the school, while Asian American students make up the largest share of admitted students.

The new admissions policy eliminated the admissions test and application fee, replacing the test with a holistic review. The holistic review evaluates students on their grade point average, a portrait sheet where applicants are asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills, a problem-solving essay, and experience factors. Experience factors include students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education students, or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools.

Under the new policy, Black, Hispanic and white student percentages increased in the admitted class of 2025. Asian American students still represent the majority of admitted students, but the percentage decreased.

The new admissions policy had been challenged by the Coalition for TJ, a group of parents, students alumni and community members who believe the policy seeks to decrease the number of Asian American students admitted. The coalition filed a lawsuit in federal court, resulting in a summary judgment in the coalition's favor.

According to the AP, the Fairfax County School Board is looking into an appeal and seeking a delay in the judge's decision becoming effective.

Previously, Fairfax County Public Schools put out a statement against the General Assembly legislation.

"The bill rests on the fiction that any action taken to increase access for underserved or underprivileged groups is discrimination," FCPS shared in January. "It is based on an antiquated philosophy long abandoned as flawed by those working in public education that standardized tests are purely 'objective' measures of merit, that students’ talents and abilities are fixed, and the job of educators is simply to spot them.

The General Assembly legislation heads to Gov. Glenn Youngkin next. In a statement to AP, Youngkin spokesperson told the AP Youngkin support the legislation and will sign it.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.