PETITION FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND REFORM AT CRADDOCK ELEMENTARY To: Portsmouth Public Schools Superintendent, School Board Members, City Leaders, and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) ⸻ The Problem Craddock Elementary has consistently failed to provide students with the education guaranteed under Virginia law. Families report alarming gaps in instruction, accountability, and school culture, including: • Science omitted in 4th grade because it is not tested on the SOL. • Instruction across grades restricted to SOL-tested material only, not the full curriculum required by law. • No physical education or enrichment opportunities, with PE absent since Fall 2024. • No homework assigned — in the very school where practice and reinforcement are most needed. • Parents have never received a single tangible graded test, quiz, or assignment. • Denied access to Schoology and PowerSchool — with reports of a recent platform switch designed to further mask grades, inflate performance, and reduce transparency. • Highly suspected grade inflation, disguising true student progress, creating a false sense of achievement, and leaving students unprepared for the next grade. • Parents routinely denied lawful access and transparency, with requests for information blocked or ignored. This lack of transparency and accountability is not only unacceptable — it borders on illegality. ⸻ Patterns of Misconduct (with Legal References) While we are not attorneys, these failures appear to violate multiple state and federal requirements: • Denial of parental access: Virginia Code § 22.1-4.3 requires schools to ensure parental involvement and access. FERPA (20 U.S.C. § 1232g) guarantees parents the right to inspect and review educational records. • Failure to teach core subjects: Virginia Code § 22.1-253.13:1 (Standards of Quality) mandates instruction in all core subjects, not just those tested. • Lack of curriculum and grading transparency: Virginia Code § 22.1-79.3 requires public access to curriculum and instructional materials. • Accountability violations: Virginia Code § 22.1-253.13:7 requires accountability systems that measure authentic achievement. Inflated grades that disguise failure directly undermine this law. ⸻ Parent Testimony As parents, guardians, and community members, we have seen firsthand how these failures harm children. My own stepdaughter, a gifted reader far above grade level, has been academically starved in an environment where excellence is neither supported nor valued. Instead of being challenged, she is left to languish — and she is not alone. ⸻ Evidence from SOL Performance The data tells the story: • Math: Only 22% of Craddock students scored proficient (vs. ~45% Portsmouth average, 67% statewide). • Reading: Only 37% scored proficient (vs. ~55% Portsmouth average, 73% statewide). • Overall: In 2025, Craddock ranked 1,082nd of 1,110 Virginia elementary schools — bottom 2.5%. These results expose a systemic crisis. Suspected grade inflation only compounds the harm by creating a false appearance of success while SOL scores prove otherwise. ⸻ Parent & Community Concerns Across Portsmouth, families share the same frustrations: • Children are not challenged academically. • Core subjects are neglected. • Report cards show progress that does not exist. • Parents are denied homework, graded assignments, and platform access that would reveal the truth. This is echoed widely in public forums. On Facebook groups such as Portsmouth Voices and the Portsmouth Public Schools page, dozens of parents and community members have spoken out, describing gross negligence, lack of accountability, and deep concern for the students trapped in this failing school. ⸻ What We Demand We, the undersigned, call for immediate intervention. Specifically, we demand: 1. An independent investigation into Craddock Elementary’s instructional practices, grading standards, and staff qualifications. 2. Enforcement of state Standards of Quality, ensuring all core subjects — including science and PE — are taught at every grade level. 3. Lawful parental access to records and participation, ensuring no parent is ever denied their rights again. 4. Elimination of conflicts of interest within administration to restore trust and transparency. 5. Qualified, professional teachers who model academic excellence, proper grammar, and integrity. 6. Full curriculum and grading transparency, as required under Virginia Code § 22.1-79.3. 7. Independent re-testing of all students to verify mastery of current and prior grade-level content, not based solely on multiple-choice SOL exams. These assessments should be reviewed and compared against district and state averages to reveal the true extent of learning loss. ⸻ Call to Action Signing this petition is just the first step. We urge every parent and community member to: • File a formal FERPA complaint regarding lack of access to student records and graded work. Send to: parents@doe.virginia.gov, CC Superintendent Bracy. • Submit a FOIA request via the VDOE website to demand records on grading practices, curriculum compliance, and funding use at Craddock. Together, we can ensure the Virginia Department of Education holds this school accountable. ⸻ Closing Statement Our children deserve better. Writing, speaking, critical thinking, physical development, and honest grading are not “extras” — they are the foundation of education and life. When schools abandon this foundation, the entire system collapses. We stand united — parents, guardians, and community members — to demand accountability, transparency, and reform at Craddock Elementary and within Portsmouth Public Schools. Please sign, share, and take action. Portsmouth’s children cannot afford another year of neglect. ⸻ Sources: Virginia Department of Education SOL Reports (2025); SchoolDigger.com; Niche.com; Portsmouth Public Schools Facebook page & Portsmouth Voices group. Disclaimer: This petition is based on publicly available data, Virginia law, and firsthand parent reports. It highlights systemic issues and requests lawful investigation. It does not allege misconduct by any one staff member and should not be construed as defamation. “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” – James 4:17