Civic Leader LaDan Johnson Advocates for FY2025 Investment in Math
LaDan W. Johnson
Civic Leader
Education Reform Now Advocacy D.C.
DC Council’s Committee of the Whole Budget Oversight Hearing:
“Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024”
“Fiscal Year 2025 Federal Portion Budget Request Act of 2024”
“Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Act of 2024”
“Fiscal Year 2024 Revised Local Budget Emergency Adjustment Act of 2024”
Good afternoon, Chairman Mendelson, Members, and Staff of the Committee of the Whole. I am LaDan W. Johnson, a resident of Ward 7 and an employee and Ph.D. student in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies at Howard University. As a civic leader for Education Reform Now Advocacy D.C., I advocate for equitable educational opportunities in Washington, DC. Tonight, I am here to urge you to:
Fund the Mathematics Education Improvement Amendment Act of 2024 estimated to be $300,000 ($3 per public school student).
Fully fund the Early Literacy Education Taskforce recommendations with an additional $10 million.
Maintain the Mayor’s proposed investments to build secondary college and career pathways to expand dual enrollment opportunities for students.
In my current role as the Student Affairs Specialist and Advisor for Computer Science at Howard University, I find access to math, literacy, and early college through dual enrollment increases persistence for students pursuing higher education. This is true for many of the students whom I advise in the computer science program who participated in dual enrollment prior to enrolling at Howard. Many of my advisees who participated in dual enrollment and had solid math and literacy skills have excelled in the computer science program.
Math and literacy proficiency are essential for success in higher education and the workforce. They provide the critical thinking and communication skills needed to thrive in today's economy. Dual enrollment and early college programs, in turn, help students build on these foundational skills while addressing stagnant college participation rates and socioeconomic disparities in educational attainment.
Despite some progress, only 30% of adults in D.C. have obtained a bachelor's degree over the past two decades, and educational attainment gaps persist. With just one in four young adults holding a degree, yet 58% of jobs requiring one, the need for strengthening math, literacy, and dual enrollment programs is clear. Currently, only 7% of public high school students participate in publicly funded dual enrollment programs.
Our asks:
We urge the DC Council to build on the Mayor's proposed investments by taking decisive action to:
Fund the Mathematics Education Improvement Amendment Act of 2024 estimated to be $300,000 ($3 per public school student).
The Task Force will be comprised of local and national experts to recommend implementation of a statewide math strategy that includes five elements: daily math instruction with high-quality content and instructional materials; support for teachers; assessments and parent notification; interventions; and resources for families and caregivers.
Fully fund the Early Literacy Education Taskforce recommendations with an additional $10 million.
The Mayor has proposed $2 million to implement high-quality instructional materials and some training for teachers based on recommendations from the Early Literacy Task Force. Additional funding is needed to support the full adoption of training as well as literacy coaches
Maintain the Mayor’s proposed investments to build secondary college and career pathways to expand dual enrollment opportunities for students. These investments include the following: $668K for the Office of Education through Employment Pathways; and $22 million for investments in the Advanced Technical Centers, dual enrollment, Reimagine High School, and internships. Still, there is much-needed progress that is needed to ensure these investments are well-spent:
Enhance marketing for these programs.
Provide robust data collection on student outcomes and transparently share.
Develop strategies for expanding in-person, cohort-based dual enrollment programs, especially for students facing significant barriers.
Incentivize employers to hire students in high-demand, high-wage careers.
My experiences in education policy and practice have deepened my commitment to addressing challenges in the American educational landscape, advocating for diversity, and eliminating inequitable practices. Thank you for considering these crucial steps toward a more inclusive and equitable educational system in Washington, DC.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
