Some major components of Governor McDonnell’s education reform package moved another step forward today in Richmond. The House Education Committee voted to to advance legislation that would develop a state system of grading public schools on an A to F scale. The committee also endorsed another McDonnell-backed proposal to give state government the power to take over failing schools. Also moving to the full House floor: the latest effort allowing schools statewide to open before Labor Day without state permission, but this measure has a long history of defeat when it reaches the Senate.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)