RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia’s bipartisan commission tasked with tackling issues affecting men and boys in Virginia has unanimously agreed to send its first report with findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Gov. Abigail Spanberger. The Virginia Boys and Men Advisory Commiss ion focused their work this year on two subjects: education and economic opportunity.   Using data from the American Institute for Boys and Men, the report shows that in the fall of 2024, only 48% of Virginia’s boys were ready for kindergarten, compared to 56% of girls.   Plus, NAEP test scores from 2024 found that 48% of Virginia’s fourth-grade boys read at a below-basic level, compared to 34% of girls.   Commission Chair Del. Josh Thomas (D-Prince William) said the report includes several recommendations to try to change that.  “Virginia’s last in the nation for the literacy gap in fourth-grade reading between boys and girls. That does not necessarily exist in all school systems, so what one of the recommendations does is it says, let's look at the school systems where that gap is narrowest, see what they’re doing, and then implement that on a wider level across the commonwealth,” Thomas told 8News. Meanwhile, the report found that while overall labor force participation among men in Virginia ages 25 to 54 is at about 91%, certain demographics and regions do struggle in that area.   On that front, the report recommends expanding dual enrollment and career readiness programs, and more.   “That hope with a job that you can provide for your family and yourself is what will help individuals in all those other areas, whether that's housing, healthcare, education, raising a family, being a good husband, and being a contributing member of our community,” Commission Vice Chair Sen. Lamont Bagby (D-Henrico) said.  The commission will continue its work in 2027.  ...read more read less