Majority of DC Parents Want to Overhaul Math Education, New Survey Reveals
A new poll surveying 325 parents of DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter school students reveals a strong desire to overhaul math education. An overwhelming 87% of respondents agree that Mayor Bowser and the DC Council must prioritize investments in improving math education.
Majority of DC Parents Want to Overhaul Math Education, New Survey Reveals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@edreformnow.org
Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2024) — A new poll surveying 325 parents of DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC public charter school students reveals a strong desire to overhaul math education. An overwhelming 87% of respondents agree that Mayor Bowser and the DC Council must prioritize investments in improving math education.
Additional key findings:
79% of parents ranked math as the most important subject their children take among nine academic subject options presented, including 81% of Black parents and 73% of Latino parents.
89% say they believe anyone can become a “math person” with the right teaching methods and support.
70% would like to see a math innovation and research hub to improve the quality of their child’s math education through evidence-based solutions led by a task force.
Two out of eight ideas most picked for improving math education by parents were “making math education better apply to the real world” (49%) and “making math education more relevant to student interests” (34%).
66% of parents want their children to receive extra math tutoring at school.
“Math is integral for students’ success in life, school, and career. Yet last year, 78% of DC public school students did not meet expectations in math. This statistic is grim yet solvable. When you add high-quality teaching plus the right kinds of support for students and families, you get confident students ready to take on the world,” said Jessica Giles, executive director at Education Reform Now D.C. “We are calling on the Mayor and Council to solve DC’s math problem by developing a statewide strategy implementing evidence-based, proven practices and supports.”
“Parents feel strongly that the city should invest in improving math education,” said Josh Boots, executive director of EmpowerK12. “Building upon these survey findings, EmpowerK12 will release a report that identifies where investments will have the greatest impact.”
In school year 2022-23, 78 percent of DC public students did not meet grade level expectations, down from 81 percent in school year 2021-22. Despite these worsening trends, math education has received little policy attention from city leaders.
EmpowerK12’s report will be released on March 14, 2024, and highlights five key evidence-based practices observed in 36 District schools that have demonstrated notable growth in math.
For the survey results memo, visit here, and for full results, visit here.
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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.
DFER DC’s Statement on Legacy Admissions Poll
“D.C. voters overwhelmingly agree that legacy admissions have no place in today’s post-affirmative action world,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of Democrats for Education Reform D.C. For too long, the college admissions process has been rigged to largely benefit privileged students at the detriment of Black and Latino first-generation students. That must end now.”
70% of DC Voters Agree to Ban Legacy Admissions Now
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@dfer.org
WASHINGTON (September 28, 2023) — Today, Jessica Giles, Executive Director at DFER D.C., issued a statement on the release of a recent poll finding 70% of D.C. voters support banning legacy admissions, up by 18 points from a March 2023 survey conducted prior to the SCOTUS decision to end race-conscious admissions.
“D.C. voters overwhelmingly agree that legacy admissions have no place in today’s post-affirmative action world,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of Democrats for Education Reform D.C. For too long, the college admissions process has been rigged to largely benefit privileged students at the detriment of Black and Latino first-generation students. That must end now.”
About Democrats for Education Reform D.C.
Democrats for Education Reform D.C. is dedicated to eliminating racial inequity and discrimination in D.C.’s public education system by supporting leaders who champion student-centered policies. More information can be found on our website at www.dferdc.org.
DC Voters Overwhelmingly Support Equal Funding for DCPS and Public Charter Schools - AFRO News
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles
Nearly 8 of 10 voters (79%) believe that the Mayor and D.C. Council should include a raise in compensation for DCPS and public charter school educators in this year’s budget. The same percentage of voters (79%) believe that the D.C. Council should maintain the 3.1% charter facilities allowance increase so public charter schools can continue to make rent or mortgage payments, complete major renovations or modernizations, and pay for utilities, repairs, and maintenance.
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of ERN D.C. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, we urge the Mayor and D.C. Council to listen to voters and prioritize an equitable education for all students, which includes equal funding for DCPS and public charter schools.”
SurveyUSA interviewed 501 District of Columbia registered voters who voted in the November 2022 general election or the November 2020 general election. This research was conducted between Feb. 20, 2023 and Feb. 26, 2023.
DC Voters Overwhelmingly Support Equal Funding for DCPS and Public Charter Schools - Black Press USA
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of ERN D.C.
Nearly 8 of 10 voters (79%) believe that the Mayor and D.C. Council should include a raise in compensation for DCPS and public charter school educators in this year’s budget. The same percentage of voters (79%) believe that the D.C. Council should maintain the 3.1% charter facilities allowance increase so public charter schools can continue to make rent or mortgage payments, complete major renovations or modernizations, and pay for utilities, repairs, and maintenance.
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of ERN D.C. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, we urge the Mayor and D.C. Council to listen to voters and prioritize an equitable education for all students, which includes equal funding for DCPS and public charter schools.”
SurveyUSA interviewed 501 District of Columbia registered voters who voted in the November 2022 general election or the November 2020 general election. This research was conducted between Feb. 20, 2023 and Feb. 26, 2023.
DC Voters Overwhelmingly Support Equal Funding for DCPS and Public Charter Schools
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of ERN D.C. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, we urge the Mayor and D.C. Council to listen to voters and prioritize an equitable education for all students, which includes equal funding for DCPS and public charter schools.”
WASHINGTON (March 14, 2023) — A new poll released today by Education Reform Now D.C. (ERN D.C.) found overwhelming support (71%) for D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools to receive equal funding to support their students.
Nearly 8 of 10 voters (79%) believe that the Mayor and D.C. Council should include a raise in compensation for DCPS and public charter school educators in this year’s budget. The same percentage of voters (79%) believe that the D.C. Council should maintain the 3.1% charter facilities allowance increase so public charter schools can continue to make rent or mortgage payments, complete major renovations or modernizations, and pay for utilities, repairs, and maintenance.
“These results underscore that D.C. voters want all our students to have high-quality public education options, educators who are fairly compensated, and schools that are modernized–whether students attend a traditional public school or public charter,” said Jessica Giles, Executive Director of ERN D.C. In the fiscal year 2024 budget, we urge the Mayor and D.C. Council to listen to voters and prioritize an equitable education for all students, which includes equal funding for DCPS and public charter schools.”
SurveyUSA interviewed 501 District of Columbia registered voters who voted in the November 2022 general election or the November 2020 general election. This research was conducted between Feb. 20, 2023 and Feb. 26, 2023. View the poll here.
About Education Reform Now D.C.
Education Reform Now D.C. (ERN D.C.) is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in Pre-K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families in Washington, D.C.
Join our community in asking for fair and competitive compensation for all D.C. public school educators by signing this petition.