A Progress Report On The Reforms In D C Public Schools

A hearing before the oversight committee for the District of Columbia (D.C.) public schools provided the opportunity for several senators and educators to comment on the progress of educational reform in the District's public schools. The hearing was held at a time when the opening of the city's public schools was delayed because of their many safety and code violations. Representative Richard K. Armey spoke about the conditions in the D.C. schools and discussed the school choice legislation he has sponsored. Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, discussed charter schools and emphasized that the priorities of the public school system are not consistent with fundamental education reform. Nina Shokraii of the Heritage Foundation advocated vouchers to allow parents to send their children to schools of their choice. Kent B. Amos discussed a proposal to change the funding of charter schools in the District of Columbia. Bruce K. MacLaury, Chairman of the Emergency Transition Education Board of Trustees of the District of Columbia Public Schools, presented the views of the transitional board about the progress toward school reform in the city's schools and offered support for charter schools. General Julius W. Becton, Jr., the appointed Superintendent of Schools, discussed the condition of the schools in general and outlined some improvements made under his administration, focusing on the ongoing physical plant repairs. An appendix contains the District of Columbia Student Opportunity Scholarship Act of 1997 and some supporting statements, including prepared remarks of those who testified at the hearing. (SLD)

The expert contributors to this volume assess recent court actions in school adequacy lawsuits and their impact on student outcomes. They show that simply throwing more resources at the problem has not brought about a solution and call for changes centered around accountability, incentives, and more informed parents and policymakers.

In response to long-standing problems with student achievement and the mgmt. of the District of Columbia (D.C.) public school system, the D.C. Council approved the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007. This act made major changes to the governance of the D.C. public school system, giving the Mayor authority over public schools. This report focuses on the primary reform approaches the District has taken. It examines the steps the District took to: (1) address student academic achievement; (2) strengthen the quality of teachers and principals; (3) develop long-term plans and involve stakeholders; and (4) improve accountability and performance of the D.C. public schools and the state superintendent's central offices. Illus.

An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia is a comprehensive five-year summative evaluation report for Phase Two of an initiative to evaluate the District of Columbia's public schools. Consistent with the recommendations in the 2011 report A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools, this new report describes changes in the public schools during the period from 2009 to 2013. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia examines business practices, human resources operations and human capital strategies, academic plans, and student achievement. This report identifies what is working well seven years after legislation was enacted to give control of public schools to the mayor of the District of Columbia and which areas need additional attention.