HB 127: Updates Admissions Policy to Governor’s Schools

The House of Delegates today passed House Bill 127, ending the use of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions decisions at Virginia’s 19 nationally-renowned Governor’s Schools.

The legislation passed today not only removes the aforementioned student characteristics from admissions decisions, it requires local school boards to ensure that all middle schools  serving these high schools offer the same high-level preparatory curriculum to ensure all students have the same foundation from which to pursue admission.

“Our Governor’s Schools are the envy of the nation because of their commitment to meritocracy,” said House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. “Academic excellence should be the only prerequisite considered for admission.”

“Today many students, based on their ZIP code, are denied equal access to the classes necessary to prepare them for success in our most rigorous Governor’s Schools,” said Education Committee Chair Glenn Davis, R-Virginia Beach. “House Bill 127 not only ensures equal access to our Governor’s Schools without discrimination, but also that every child in a middle school served by a Governor’s School has equal access to the courses necessary for their success.”