get these nets
Veteran
05/14/25
Virginia governor vetoes bill to allow African American history courses to count toward graduation
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill Tuesday that would allow African American history courses to count toward graduation requirements. The bill would have allowed students to substitute World History 1 or World Georgraphy with African American History or Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Lamont Bagby (D-Glen Allen) and Del. David Reid (D-Ashburn) in January. The bill passed in the Virginia Senate 30-9, with one abstention. A number of Republicans had voted in favor of the bill although all nine of the bill's opponents in that chamber were Republicans.
The bill then passed the House of Delegates with an amendment that allowed students the option to substitute World Geography with African American History, instead of substituting World History.
Youngkin had proposed an amendment in March that would have stalled the implementation of the law, stipulating that the 2026 General Assembly would also have to pass the bill in order for the law to effect. That amendment was narrowly rejected by the Senate in am 18-22 vote.
"A thorough sequential study of world history is critical to preparing students for informed citizenship and global awareness," Youngkin writes in his veto. "... While I am supportive of expanding choices in what elective classes students may take to satisfy graduation requirements, we must ensure that classes that replace others are germane to the comprehensive goal of high school education standards."
