(The Center Square) – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger announced her Strengthening Virginia Schools Plan on Aug. 8, a set of proposals aimed at improving public education across the commonwealth.
The plan focuses on early childhood programs, K-12 education and higher education. Spanberger said it reflects her belief that every student in Virginia should have access to high-quality learning opportunities and that teachers should be supported with the tools and resources they need.
“Virginia students, parents, & educators deserve a Governor who will make sure we deliver on the promise of a great education,” said Spanberger in a social media post.
Key points in her plan include:
Recruiting and retaining teachers through competitive pay, benefits and professional development.Upgrading and repairing school buildings to create safe, modern learning environments.Providing wraparound services for students, including telehealth mental health care for rural schools.Supporting students with disabilities by expanding resources for families and educators.Opposing the use of public funds for private school vouchers.
On higher education, Spanberger proposes increasing access to financial aid, boosting support for Virginia’s historically Black colleges and universities, and strengthening community college programs to prepare students for the workforce.
Her early childhood proposals call for expanding the Child Care Subsidy Program so more families qualify, investing in high-quality childcare facilities in underserved areas and providing training and support for early childhood educators.
Spanberger, a mother of three and former CIA officer, who attended Virginia public schools, said her approach is informed by conversations with parents, educators and students across the commonwealth.
Her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, has promoted her “Winsome CAREs” plan, which includes clearing child care waitlists, attracting and retaining educators, expanding access through public-private partnerships and eliminating the “baby tax.” She has said early childhood education is as critical as K-12 education.
In a video on social media, Spanberger cited a recent Education Recovery Scorecard report from Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research and Stanford University’s Educational Opportunity Project to highlight the urgency of her plan.
The report ranked Virginia 51st in the nation for math recovery between 2019 and 2024 and 41st in reading recovery, indicating that student achievement has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
With the Virginia gubernatorial election set for Nov. 4, 2025, voters have fewer than 100 days to weigh the candidates’ education proposals before heading to the polls.
