RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling cast tie-breaking votes as the Senate passed two key components of Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's education reform agenda.

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One of the bills calls for schools to be graded on the same A-to-F scale used for students. The other establishes a state board to take over chronically failing schools. Both bills drew heavy Democratic opposition, resulting in 20-20 votes in the evenly divided Senate on Tuesday.

The Republican Bolling presides over the chamber, and he broke the tie on both bills.

The House of Delegates already has approved its versions of the bills.

Another major element of McDonnell's education reform agenda has cleared both chambers. It would revamp the teacher evaluation and grievance process.