District of Columbia
News, analysis, and opinion about K-12 education in the District of Columbia
Education
Letter to the Editor
D.C. Auditor Clarifies Statement
To the Editor:
I am sorry the EdWeek article on public education gains in Washington, D.C., missed the point I made in describing reforms as “more evolutionary than revolutionary” (“D.C. Gains Momentum in Boosting Opportunities for Students,” Quality Counts special report, Jan. 21. 2020). The article recounted gains made in the District’s public schools and indicated that progress is attributable to the 2007 governance decision that turned control of schools over to the city’s mayor. I was interviewed as a former councilmember who served on and chaired the District Council’s education committee.
I am sorry the EdWeek article on public education gains in Washington, D.C., missed the point I made in describing reforms as “more evolutionary than revolutionary” (“D.C. Gains Momentum in Boosting Opportunities for Students,” Quality Counts special report, Jan. 21. 2020). The article recounted gains made in the District’s public schools and indicated that progress is attributable to the 2007 governance decision that turned control of schools over to the city’s mayor. I was interviewed as a former councilmember who served on and chaired the District Council’s education committee.
Federal
Democrats Press D.C. Voucher Program for Information on Student Civil Rights
Lawmakers' concerns come as the Trump administration seeks to boost private school choice programs through a federal tax credit.
Law & Courts
High Court Leans Toward Support for Religious Schools
In a case from Montana, conservative justices suggested they were inclined to rule for parents who seek to reinstate a state tax credit funding scholarships for use at religious schools.
States
From Our Research Center
Educational Opportunities and Performance in the District of Columbia
This Quality Counts 2020 Highlights Report captures all the data you need to assess your state's performance on key educational outcomes.
School & District Management
D.C. Gains Momentum in Boosting Opportunities for Students
The District of Columbia trailed behind most of the country in 2008 in offering students a chance for success. It's now No. 7, the nation’s most improved in that time.
School Choice & Charters
D.C. Charters Aren't Pushing Kids Out. But They're Not Always Welcoming Them In, Either
The District of Columbia's charters aren't always "backfilling" seats, and there's little financial incentive for them to do so.
School Choice & Charters
Study of D.C. Vouchers Finds No Effect on Test Scores, but More-Satisfied Students
The evaluation of the District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program revealed several mixed outcomes from the only federally funded private school voucher program in the nation.
School & District Management
D.C. Approves Lewis Ferebee as Its New Schools Chancellor
The District of Columbia Council on Tuesday unanimously confirmed Ferebee, three months after the city's mayor tapped him for the job. A former Education Week Leaders to Learn From honoree, Ferebee focused on forging partnerships with charter schools while he was superintendent in Indianapolis.
School Choice & Charters
Indianapolis Superintendent Lewis Ferebee to Lead D.C. Schools
In Indianapolis, Ferebee focused on forging partnerships with charter schools leaders and establishing school choice-friendly policies, including a common-enrollment system for all the city's students. That approach may be tailor-made for D.C., where half of public K-12 students are enrolled in charters.
College & Workforce Readiness
In Wake of Grad-Rate Scandal, D.C. Projects Sharp Decline in Diplomas
In the wake of a major graduation-rate scandal, the District of Columbia school system reports a big anticipated drop in this year's high school graduation rate.
Equity & Diversity
Photo Essay
A Photographer’s View of Ron Brown College Prep
Photographer Jared Soares discusses his experiences, and shares his favorite images from documenting faculty and students.
Equity & Diversity
Audio
Irreconcilable Differences: A Clash Over Academics at D.C. School for Young Black Men
At Ron Brown, lofty ideals crash into reality. Many students are on track to fail, and faculty are revolting against the grading policies.
Student Well-Being
Video
Raising Kings: A Year of Reporting Inside a High School for Young Black Males
For more than a year, Education Week's Kavitha Cardoza and NPR's Cory Turner reported on the birth of a new high school in Washington, D.C.: Ron Brown College Prep.
Equity & Diversity
Audio
'They Can't Just Be Average': Profound Academic Challenges in a D.C. School for Young Black Men
At Ron Brown, daunting academic challenges have become glaringly obvious as the school year gets under way.