Richmond, Va. — The sudden resignation of Lisa Coons from her role as Virginia’s superintendent of public instruction is raising concerns about the stability of the state’s education system. Coons announced her decision to step down in a message shared on X (formerly Twitter) on March 14, 2025, stating that she had chosen to “pursue new opportunities” after nearly two years in the position.
Coons, appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on March 22, 2023, replaced former superintendent Jillian Balow, who also resigned. During her time in office, Coons faced the challenge of addressing the state’s low student proficiency levels in math and reading. Her tenure was marked by Youngkin’s directive to “restore excellence” in Virginia’s public schools, a goal that would prove difficult to achieve amid ongoing educational challenges.
Despite efforts to improve student performance, recent reports from the Nation’s Report Card— a nationwide exam— revealed that Virginia’s fourth and eighth graders showed little to no progress in math and reading scores between 2022 and 2024. The lack of improvement in these critical subjects has raised questions about the effectiveness of the state’s education policies under Coons’ leadership.
State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, a Democrat from Chesterfield, voiced concerns about the implications of Coons’ resignation. “It is particularly concerning that we are seeing a destabilization here in the state’s administration of the Department of Education,” said Hashmi. She emphasized that other states had utilized post-pandemic recovery funds more effectively, investing in programs like tutoring and summer acceleration to help students catch up. In contrast, Virginia has struggled to achieve similar progress.
The Virginia School Boards Association, however, offered praise for Coons’ leadership, highlighting her commitment to ensuring that all students had access to a high-quality education. In a statement, the association recognized Coons’ focus on student achievement and workforce readiness, as well as her efforts to ensure schools had the resources necessary to thrive.
In response to the leadership change, Governor Youngkin’s office has named Deputy Secretary of Education Emily Anne Gullickson as the acting state superintendent. Gullickson’s appointment comes as the state faces critical questions about the future direction of Virginia’s education system and the steps needed to address longstanding challenges.
As Virginia navigates this period of transition, it remains to be seen how the departure of Coons will impact the state’s educational priorities and whether new leadership will be able to drive meaningful change in improving student outcomes.
