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“DFER D.C. does not support vouchers, education savings accounts, or tax credits for private education. Nor does it support private religious charter schools. While some may frame these policies as a tool for equity, the truth is they funnel taxpayer dollars to private schools that are not accountable to the public and exclude students based on disability, religion, or gender identity. That’s not equity, that’s exclusion. These efforts would siphon public funds away from the education system that serves the overwhelming majority of families, particularly Black and Brown students. Public education is a public promise and public dollars should never be used to break it.
“As Election Day nears, D.C. voters face crucial choices that could reshape the future of local education and autonomy. Discover what’s at stake for D.C.'s schools and how potential federal policies could impact every student.”
For six years, Christopher Charles has passionately pursued education reform, striving to cultivate an equitable, diverse, and supportive learning environment for students in Washington, D.C.
Yolanda Corbett’s roles include Education Reform Champion and executive director of The Caregivers D.R.E.A.M., a nonprofit advocating for families of children with disabilities. 'Every child deserves to feel safe and supported in school, especially our most vulnerable students,' she says.
David Reed, a visionary educator, is rewriting this narrative with a recipe for change that is deeply personal and has been transformative for many students in Title 1 schools east of the river. Reed’s journey from a hungry student to a champion of nutritional equity is a testament to how meaningful his program is for students who are at-risk.
Letisha Vinson has been a committed education advocate for almost a decade. She is a mother of two, an Education Reform Champion, and a long-time PAVE Parent. Learn about why she’s passionate about education reform.
Josh Boots: How to help D.C.’s kids learn the math they need to succeed
To reverse DC’s decline in math outcomes, we need a strategic, citywide approach to support the unique needs of DC students, starting with the establishment of a Math Task Force.
Jessica Giles, executive director of Education Reform Now D.C., said the lack of special education in prisons reflects a larger citywide inequity. Whether or not they’re incarcerated, students with disabilities in D.C. have limited access to education. That’s due in part due to growing vacancies in special education roles, which factor into growing teacher turnover rates overall. “The failures of education start from a very young age,” she said
In 2022, Black fourth-graders scored 69 points lower than their white peers, a gap that hasn’t budged significantly since 1998. The disparity between children poor enough to qualify for free school meals and those who are not is now 56 points, 14 points larger than in 1998. The trend for eighth grade is similar.