Early childhood education is among the priorities Virginia Secretary of Education Jeffrey Smith outlined ahead of the 2027 General Assembly session. The administration’s goals include expanding access to affordable child care, preparing young children for kindergarten, and strengthening the educator workforce. Smith also emphasized high-quality instruction and services that support student well-being and readiness to learn. This Virginia Mercury article takes a closer look at those priorities and the state’s broader plans to improve educational opportunities for Virginia’s children.
