Sam Rasoul
Coverage of Sam Rasoul in the Nexus archive.
- Va. education department says failed proposal to delay cut scores stemmed from legislative mandates
The Virginia Department of Education's proposal to delay new proficiency benchmarks for reading and math by two years was rejected by the Board of Education. The proposal, influenced by legislative mandates, JLARC recommendations, and public feedback, aimed to implement a single increase in cut scores by 2028-2029 instead of phased changes. The board voted 7-0-1 against the plan, which sought to reduce confusion over testing standards.
- Virginia localities raise $119M for school construction through targeted sales tax
Virginia localities have raised $119 million over five years through a targeted sales tax for school construction and maintenance, with nine localities authorized to levy the tax. Legislation to expand the tax statewide to all counties and cities was proposed, allowing voters to decide via referendum.
- How public education has transformed in Virginia since the nation’s founding
Virginia's public education system has evolved over 250 years through policy, instruction, and technology changes. Legislators like Shelly Simonds and Sam Rasoul emphasize professionalizing teaching, improving equity in school funding, and updating curricula for a tech-driven future. Historical reforms, including desegregation, have expanded access but challenges remain in resource distribution.