ERN DC’s Statement on Mayor Bowser HIT and ATC for FY25 Statement
“We applaud Mayor Bowser for her evidence-based investments aimed at tackling education’s most pressing issues: attendance and achievement. By directing substantial resources into high-impact tutoring, expanding the Advanced Technical Center to ward eight, and opening up additional career pathways, these initiatives will address and improve education and career outcomes for D.C. students, particularly for students of color who have historically lagged behind. Mayor Bowser’s commitment today lays a solid foundation for our students’ long-term success.”
Mayor Bowser Invests in HIT and ATC for FY25 Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@edreformnow.org
Washington, D.C. (March 20, 2024) — In response to Mayor Bowser announcement of new investments in high-impact tutoring and reimagining high school Jessica Giles, executive director of Education Reform Now D.C., released the following statement:
“We applaud Mayor Bowser for her evidence-based investments aimed at tackling education’s most pressing issues: attendance and achievement. By directing substantial resources into high-impact tutoring, expanding the Advanced Technical Center to ward eight, and opening up additional career pathways, these initiatives will address and improve education and career outcomes for D.C. students, particularly for students of color who have historically lagged behind. Mayor Bowser’s commitment today lays a solid foundation for our students’ long-term success.”
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About Education Reform Now D.C.
ERN D.C. is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank and advocacy organization fighting for a just and equitable public education system for all students in Washington, D.C. We seek progress in D.C. Public Schools and public charter schools by developing and advocating for systemic change to eliminate racial inequity and discrimination.
High-Impact Tutoring Improves Student Attendance Statement
“These early findings show High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) is critical to reduce our extremely high levels of chronic absenteeism and improve our students’ reading and math skills, where D.C. students are struggling.”
High-Impact Tutoring Improves Student Attendance Statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@edreformnow.org
Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2024) — In response to early findings on high-impact tutoring boosting student attendance in DC from the National Student Support Accelerator at Stanford University, Jessica Giles, Executive Director of Education Reform Now D.C., released the following statement:
“These early findings show High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) is critical to reduce our extremely high levels of chronic absenteeism and improve our students’ reading and math skills, where D.C. students are struggling.”
“With the fiscal year 2025 budget season upon us and a fiscal cliff on the horizon, the Mayor and D.C. Council must preserve this evidence-based program to meet the urgent academic needs of our students and position D.C. as a national leader in accelerating reading and math outcomes.”
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About Education Reform Now D.C.
ERN D.C. is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank and advocacy organization fighting for a just and equitable public education system for all students in Washington, D.C. We seek progress in D.C. Public Schools and public charter schools by developing and advocating for systemic change to eliminate racial inequity and discrimination.
Statement from Democrats for Education Reform D.C. on the Final Budget Vote
“Our community urged Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chairman Phil Mendelson, and the D.C. Council to pass an education budget that helps fix school funding inequity, invests in safe and positive learning environments, and supports our educators; and they delivered,” Giles said.
CONTACT: Joshua Hodge
The D.C. Council Makes Historic Investments in Public Education, a Win for Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2022) – Democrats for Education Reform D.C. (DFER D.C.) State Director Jessica Giles released the following statement on the inclusion of DFER D.C.’s priorities in the FY2023 budget:
“Our community urged Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chairman Phil Mendelson, and the D.C. Council to pass an education budget that helps fix school funding inequity, invests in safe and positive learning environments, and supports our educators; and they delivered,” Giles said.
“Last Tuesday, the D.C. Council voted in support of historic investments in per-pupil funding, greater funding for schools serving high percentages of students designated as at-risk, an updated adequacy study for education, a 3.1% increase in the charter facilities allotment, structured literacy training for educators, school-based behavioral health supports, and an expansion of a pre-existing first-time homeowner financial assistance program to educators.
“Our elected officials continue to show that education is of utmost importance by making these historic investments.
“Our students must come first – no matter what. Their race, gender, sexual orientation, class, zip code, or disability should not impact the quality of education they receive. This is why we fight for a budget that works in the best interest of our students and our community.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with the office of the Mayor, D.C. Council, and the D.C. State Board of Education to ensure all students—especially those who have been historically disenfranchised — have the opportunity to have a fair, equitable, and high-quality public education.”
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the fiscal year 2023 budget and financial plan included the following investments:
Two new concentration at-risk weights in the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), for a total of $10.4 million in recurring funding;
A $300,000 adequacy study every five years to ensure the UPSFF increases adequately for all students;
A 5.9% increase to the foundation of the UPSFF for all schools in FY 2023;
A 3.1% increase to the public charter facilities allotment in FY 2023 to keep up with rising costs in the District;
Structured literacy training for D.C. Public School teachers, a $2,000 stipend for those who complete the training, and a task force;
An increase in community-based organization grant sizes in the School-Based Behavioral Health program and $150,000 to fund a cost study;
Expansion to educators of a pre-existing first-time homeowner financial assistance program; and
Continued funding for restorative justice, dual enrollment, and High-Impact Tutoring.
New Analysis of Best Practices from State High-Impact Tutoring Programs
As states seek to combat missed learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report highlights promising practices from five states for implementing high-impact tutoring (HIT), a proven strategy for accelerating student learning.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 23, 2022)—As states seek to combat missed learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report highlights promising practices from five states for implementing high-impact tutoring (HIT), a proven strategy for accelerating student learning.
The report was jointly released by Education Reform Now (ERN), The Education Trust, and Future Ed, and shares blueprints for state tutoring programs based on those in Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas.
“If implemented with fidelity, high-impact tutoring holds tremendous promise for not only helping students recover from interrupted learning during the pandemic, but in helping to close opportunity gaps for historically underserved students,” said Charles Barone, vice president for K-12 education policy at ERN. “We hope this analysis will facilitate knowledge-sharing among the 20 states who plan on implementing tutoring programs so that every child has access to high-quality instructional support.”
Each state highlighted has incorporated at least three of seven strategies that are proven to support student learning—particularly for historically underserved students. These include:
Statewide investments in creating a tutoring workforce
Research-based program guardrails
Publicly available resources for district and school leaders
Statewide professional development opportunities
Legislative action
Creation of central sources of information on state-approved, high-quality tutoring programs and vendors
Targeting services to schools’ most underserved students
“The federal government, through the American Rescue Plan, invested unprecedented resources for state and district leaders to re-envision education, especially for undeserved students,” said Allison Socol, assistant director of P-12 Policy for The Education Trust. “Targeted, intensive tutoring programs show promising results not just for addressing unfinished learning as a result of the pandemic, but for addressing longstanding inequities.”
“Well-designed tutoring programs can give students the academic help and personal connections many need to recover from the ravages of the pandemic,” added FutureEd Director Thomas Toch.
You can read the full analysis here.
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About Education Reform Now
Education Reform Now (ERN) is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. We seek forward progress in public education—at the federal, state, and local level—developing and advocating for new, bold ideas and mutually reinforcing policies in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education.
About The Education Trust
The Education Trust is a national nonprofit that works to close opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color and students from low-income families. Through our research and advocacy, Ed Trust supports efforts that expand excellence and equity in education from preschool through college; increase college access and completion, particularly for historically underserved students; engage diverse communities dedicated to education equity; and increase political and public will to act on equity issues. Learn more:www.EdTrust.org/.
About FutureEd
FutureEd is an independent, solution-oriented think tank at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. We are committed to bringing fresh energy to the causes of excellence, equity, and efficiency in K-12 and higher education on behalf of the nation’s underserved students.