More specifically, the new policy, clearly inspired by Greta Thunberg and her "school strike" climate protests (though there's no mention of the school-aged activist anywhere in the Washington Post's story about it), will allow students one loosely-defined "civic engagement" absence per year.

As proponents of the policy eagerly highlighted, "civic engagement" doesn't necessarily mean "protest". Students can use the absence to go on trips to the state capital, speak with legislators or volunteer on political campaigns.

The policy is being adopted by Fairfax County Public Schools in Northern Virginia, and will take effect on Jan. 27. There are about 188,000 students in the Fairfax district, ranking it in the top 12 districts by student population.