Superintendent's Weekly Reflections

What a great summer week we just completed!!  I trust that you each are finding time to enjoy these beautiful summer days, these are our best days…

In a recent CNBC Report on America’s Top States for Business in 2023, Virginia ranked second in the nation. More importantly, Virginia ranked number one for K-12 and post-secondary education. In the report, CNBC recognizes that a state’s education system “is its main source of talent and an engine of innovation.” You are each the trustees of that talent and the conductors of that engine of innovation. It’s a reminder of the important work of our educators –  of all of you. This work is the most important in our country especially now, and it continues to matter! 

While Virginia is the number one state for education, the same cannot be said for state education funding, unfortunately. Just this month, we saw the results of a study that was requested by the Virginia General Assembly in 2021 to understand the costs of education in Virginia and the Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula.

The SOQ funding formula helps the General Assembly make sure there are enough staff members for each school division in the state. It estimates the cost of K-12 staff for each division, and then divides that cost between the state and local governments using what is known as the Local Composite Index (LCI).  This is important for each of us to understand as we advocate for high support coupled with high expectations. 

The study revealed (as seen on the chart above) that Virginia school divisions receive less money per student compared to the national average, the average of nearby states, and three of Virginia's neighboring states. On average, school divisions in other states get 14 percent more funding per student than in Virginia, even after considering the differences in labor costs between states. This means that school divisions in other states get about $1,900 more per student than school divisions in Virginia. The study points out that localities (like Fairfax County) go above and beyond in local funding to make up for state funding shortfalls.

The study also found that Virginia's school divisions get less funding than what three funding benchmark models suggest is necessary to provide a quality education. Somewhere between 73 percent and 89 percent of the state's school divisions receive funding that falls below these benchmarks, depending on the model and assumptions used.

Particularly troubling is that state funding for higher needs students (as seen in the graph above) is below several benchmarks. We must maintain high support for each and every one of our students as they plan for the future (yet to be imagined) to achieve high expectations. 

These are only a few of the items covered by the comprehensive study, which was completed by Virginia’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).  It covers a wide variety of education funding topics, details areas where there are state funding shortfalls, and provides an extensive set of recommendations to improve and strengthen the SOQ formula and to bring state funding for K12 education more in line with actual local costs and with national and regional averages. There is much work to be done around education funding and I will continue to advocate for each and every one of our students!  High expectations require high support. 

Congratulations to all our employees who commute on two wheels (sorry, motorcycles not included)! FCPS won the Dulles Area Transportation Association’s (DATA) inaugural Bike to Work Day Challenge! I applaud all of our coworkers who rode their bikes into work for your commitment to wellness and sustainability. I encourage everyone to participate in next year’s challenge as part of FCPS’ dedication to fostering a green culture.  I myself am really enjoying all the county biking trails  -- far more interesting than my spin class ;>)

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit several of our summer school sites beginning with Cedar Lane School.  It was energizing to visit with math teacher Alexandra Bobe, who shared; “The Extended School Year program is for students who would benefit from continued access to the supports that allowed them to make progress during the regular school year. Today, we are working primarily on fundamental Algebra concepts, as well as developing students' interpersonal and technology skills. We only have one more week in ESY and it is always an insightful and rewarding experience.”  Thank you Alexandra and to all those teaching and supporting our students this summer; it matters. 

I visited several other schools last week as well.  Stephen Kewer provided a tour of summer learning at Sandburg MS where I saw a number of students working hard.  I also had the opportunity to visit with the facilities team at Sandburg MS and shared my appreciation in the work they do to keep our schools clean, safe, and healthy; it matters. 

I also visited Mount Vernon Woods ES where there were many busy young summer students.  I visited SOAR classrooms and Young Scholars.  Students were very busy on a number of different topics.  The math topics and some tough education questions were a joy to discuss. 

While at Mt Vernon Woods ES, I also toured the Community Center to look at the community donations (clothes and toiletries) and books for Reading Buddies that have been generously donated and support our students and families.  This is such important work as our young students learn into the future. 

Lastly, I visited Lorton Station visiting their SOAR classrooms and Young Scholars with Julie Gminsky and Myron Barton.  I also learned about the school garden from teacher Denise McGuinness who shared herbs, and vegetables that were gown in the school garden.  Students were also investigating our oceans and the importance of keeping them clean for our future. 

All of us at FCPS are stewards of our wonderful earth, and I’m proud to say this includes our students! Recently, students at Bucknell Elementary School were tasked with researching and creating PSAs on the negative impacts of pollution on our oceans. Below is one of these PSAs, created by rising sixth grader Daquan. The data point about 2050 is particularly compelling – “there will be more plastics in our ocean than fish” signals we need to address this topic for Daquan’s generation and those that follow. 

Daquan’s PSA stood out to me as particularly impactful, and I especially was struck by the words “Small changes make a big impact.” Our children will lead us! Whether we’re talking about the environment or our work in shaping the young minds who will lead us in the future, our collective actions have the power to inspire great change. Together, all things are possible.

Summer learning hasn’t stopped across FCPS. Last week, nine FCPS students participated in the Quantum Immersion Summer Program with George Mason University and Connected DMV. Students engaged with Quantum Information Science (QIS) industries and policy leaders, including:

• The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
• NASA’s quantum communications labs and space environment simulator
• MITRE’s nano-bio and vision sensing labs
• George Mason University’s Quantum Science Engineering Center
• George Washington University’s nano-fabrication facility
• University of Maryland’s Joint Quantum Institute

Next, these students will have an opportunity to present at the World Quantum Congress in Washington, D.C. Work-based Learning (WBL) experiences like this are preparing FCPS students for careers of the future – careers that don’t yet exist. Living in Northern Virginia gives our students these incredible opportunities. Our deepest gratitude to our government and business partners who recognize the value of giving our students hands-on experiences to guide and shape their futures. Learning happens best in community! 

Bravo to the Westfield High School Theater Department — I attended their musical rendition of “Footloose” on Friday evening and was riveted by our students’ wonderful performances!   I am so inspired by all the educators and community volunteers who give of their time and talent to produce such illuminating life experiences for our young people, especially Lisa Brown, who has supported this summer theatre for so many years; it matters. The show was also a reminder of the importance of supporting our learners in finding and exploring their unique talents and dreams. My only suggestion for the students’ next performance is to find music that’s less catchy – the songs are still stuck in my head! ;>) 

And so, as we continue in our familiar summer rhythm, with all the myriad choices we have, “Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that's when you're more successful. You have to choose to do it.” — Simone Biles.  Our choices matter…

All the best and take good care,

Warmest regards,

Michelle Reid, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Fairfax County Public Schools