New Kent board postpones proposed civics graduation requirement pending VDOE guidance
Summary
After wide discussion about how students learn civics and whether a new test or graduation requirement is appropriate, the board voted unanimously to postpone the item until the Virginia Department of Education provides guidance and the division clarifies what problem, if any, needs solving.
The New Kent County School Board unanimously postponed consideration of a proposed additional civics graduation requirement after members said they needed clearer guidance from the Virginia Department of Education and better evidence of a problem the change would solve.
Speaker 1 opened the discussion by stressing the division’s emphasis on civics instruction, saying, “We do take civics very seriously. We do teach it to our students, and we do expect them to be proficient.” Board members and attendees asked whether students already take a citizenship‑style exam; Speaker 1 said government is a graduation requirement and described the classroom test as randomized and “may not be rigorous enough” but emphasized it is only one piece of the division’s civics work.
Several board members urged caution. Speaker 5 recommended the board not act until the VDOE confirms whether an additional graduation requirement would be permissible and warned the division could spend time on plans that might not be legal. Others said the district’s early‑grade civics instruction appeared strong; Speaker 3 described being impressed by fourth graders’ answers during a recent school visit.
Speaker 2 moved to postpone the item to a date and time to be determined; the motion was seconded and the board recorded a series of affirmative votes. The motion passed unanimously and the civics proposal will not return for action until staff reports back with VDOE guidance and additional analysis requested by the board.
The board’s action leaves the district’s current civics and government course requirements in place. Staff said they will notify board members by email when they have the VDOE response and any recommended next steps.
