Gov. Youngkin reacts to Democrats blocking his bill to notify students of merit awards

RICHMOND, Va. (7News) — On Thursday, the Virginia Senate Education and Health Committee blocked Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s bill that would have required schools to notify students and their parents if they won national merit awards and recognition along with other college scholarship opportunities.

7News has been covering this as a part of our Crisis in the Classroom coverage. The bill was introduced after several Virginia schools didn’t notify students of their national merit recognition in time for important college and scholarship deadlines.

Republicans and one Democrat, Senator Jeremy McPike, on the committee voted to advance the bill, but the Virginia Senate Democrat majority ultimately blocked the bill from going forward.

RELATED | 16 high schools in northern Virginia didn't notify students of national merit recognition

7News has an exclusive reaction from Gov. Youngkin.

“I don't understand how anybody could object to the idea that when a student receives an award or an accolade that they are informed about it, and that this is just a matter of common sense,” Youngkin told 7News Reporter Nick Minock in Richmond. “And I do believe that our General Assembly eventually will come around to common sense. And if politics are in the way here, then I would just ask our Senate Democrats to put down politics and do what's right for Virginia's kids.”

At last check, eight schools in Fairfax County, four schools in Prince William County, and five schools in Loudoun County delayed notification to students who were among the top 3% of students who won national merit recognition in the nation.

READ MORE | AG Miyares expands merit awards investigation to Fairfax County Public Schools system

To learn more about the bill, read here.