Dr. Patricia Wright

As former Chesterfield County Superintendent Dr. Billy Cannaday, Jr. prepares to step down this fall from his position as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, another Chesterfield County familiar will be stepping up to take his place. Effective October 1, Chester resident Dr. Patricia Wright will take over as State Superintendent.

“I am very pleased to appoint such a well-qualified and accomplished educator to be the Commonwealth’s Superintendent of Public Instruction,” says Governor Tim Kaine. “Dr. Wright’s previous work in the Department of Education gives me confidence she will continue to produce outstanding educational outcomes for our young people from Pre-K through secondary education.”

Currently serving as Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position held since 2006, Wright received her bachelor’s degree from Madison College, now JMU, a master’s degree in education from VCU, and a doctorate in education from UVA. Beginning her career in 1985, teaching math in Chesterfield and Sussex Counties, Wright has previously served a number of positions at the state level, including mathematics specialist, Director of Secondary Instruction, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, and Deputy Superintendent of Instruction. With 33 years of educational experience, Wright seems prepared for her new role.

“I am excited to serve the Commonwealth as the State Superintendent, and look forward to working with Governor Kaine, the state Board of Education, and educators across the state to move our public education system forward from competency to excellence,” says Wright. “With support from the Governor, General Assembly, and the Board of Education, we will continue to provide a statewide system of support and accountability aimed at preparing students for postsecondary education, work, and citizenship in a global economy.”

For Wright, one of her biggest goals is to continue her work with school accountability. Previously, she had worked as a leader in revising the Virginia Standards of Learning, as well as helped create the state’s educational accountability system, a program she hopes to continue to refine.

“We have seen many of our school systems make a remarkable shift towards accountability, which has been very rewarding. Now, we want to start shifting from consequences to incentives,” says Wright. “There is strong accountability in Virginia, but something else needs to go with it; consequences should go hand-in-hand with incentives.”

Other areas that Wright plans to focus on include increasing on-time graduation rates, and putting more emphasis on early education and career and technical education.

“Right now, we are working to create personal learning plans at the local level for middle school students to carry with them to high school that will help prepare them for post-secondary education or careers after high school. The technical education will go hand-in-hand with academics as we look to drive up the opportunities for students to earn professional licenses or technical certifications while in high school,” says Wright.

Already, the General Assembly has put forth to the state School Board a plan to institute two new high school diplomas: standard and advanced technical diplomas. Wright hopes to work with the state School Board to have these diplomas implemented within this school year.

“These are optional diplomas that will provide more options for students,” says Wright. “It’s an incentive for students who aren’t necessarily thinking about post-secondary education. All diplomas will require academics; these would just include additional technical skill requirements.”

In addition to her upcoming position as State Superintendent, Wright also serves on the National Research Council and National Academy of Education Committee on High School Dropout and Completion Rates, the National High School Center Advisory Board, as well as President of the Council of Chief State School Officers Deputies Leadership Commission, Vice-Chair of the Regional Educational Laboratory-Appalachia, and a member of the board of directors for the Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals, Virginia Advanced Studies Strategies (National Mathematics and Science Initiative), and the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association.

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421

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