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Change takes time. This is the reality of improving literacy outcomes in Washington, DC — a reality that is both challenging and hopeful. As the city embarks on the implementation of DC’s Early Literacy Education Task Force…

In a period of just four years, DC families have gone from unprecedented levels of economic security — thanks to pandemic aid programs — to a point where thousands are overwhelmed by unaffordable rents and food prices, with few options for…

As a senior reflecting on my time as a student in DC schools, I am particularly grateful for the experiences I’ve had after school. Out-of-school-time (OST) programs have opened so many doors for me — transforming my life, giving me…

Washington, DC, has a violence problem. Earlier this year, federal crime statistics published by the FBI revealed that the nation’s big cities saw murder and violence plummet in 2023. Nationwide decreases were 13% and 6%,…

As someone with more than 20 years of experience in youth development in DC, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of collective action in driving positive student outcomes, especially for our most vulnerable populations. As students…

The recent deaths of three individuals in the DC jail bring to light the dire medical care and unsafe conditions that have led to numerous lawsuits. These are not new issues; the jail facilities have been criticized for decades over…

In 1954, my father was one of the first Black students to integrate McKinley Technical High School in DC. There, he received an education of a far higher quality than he ever would have had otherwise, enabling him to become the first…

Black, white or brown, across all eight wards, we all want a District that works for and keeps everyone safe, not just the privileged few. Back in March, Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a fiscal year 2025 budget proposal to the DC Council that…

Despite their repeated public commitments to address the housing crisis that has left many without shelter in DC, the Biden administration and Mayor Muriel Bowser have evicted nearly 90 homeless individuals from their communities in Foggy…

Once again, DC residents are about to be terminated from housing support merely for hitting an arbitrary time limit, regardless of their individual circumstances or needs. But this time, the number of families affected is unprecedented.…

Math is a fundamental building block for the future. As our world undergoes rapid technological advancements, the ability to understand and apply mathematical concepts has never been more critical. With the emergence of artificial…

This month marked a formal goodbye to Dr. Ramona Edelin, my dear friend and an indefatigable fighter for social justice whose memorial service was held recently at Shiloh Baptist Church. A keen student of the work of W.E.B. Du…

As a native Washingtonian, I have witnessed the invaluable contributions of early childhood educators in my community. And, as the great-granddaughter and niece of early educators, I know full well the sacrifices we ask our child care…

DC high school students have given more than 45 testimonies at recent DC State Board of Education (SBOE) meetings, pushing these sessions past 10 p.m. The impetus? A dream of a greener, more sustainable and healthier future for DC…

What makes a school great? And how should we measure that? Each public school in DC is profiled and measured with a report card. The DC School Report Card, according to education officials, is meant to give families a look at…

DC residents deserve to be safe in their homes and neighborhoods, and they are understandably demanding city leaders address the recent rise in homicides and gun violence with actions that will ensure their communities are safe,…

Gun violence. Rising rents. Wildfire smoke. If your only perspective of DC over the past year came straight from the headlines, you might wonder: What crisis is next? Amid rising concerns around public safety, many voices have clamored for…

Before the pandemic, DC’s public education system was on the upswing. Gains were made on both local and national metrics. The District was widely hailed as the fastest-improving state and urban system in the country. Our progress and…

I thought my son was doing fine. He was getting A’s on his assignments, and his teacher said he was doing great. It wasn’t until we saw his NAEP score that we learned he wasn’t reading at his grade level — we had missed years of…

As families across the District come together to share the bounty of holiday meals, a starkly different scene unfolds behind the walls of DC’s jails. Controversy about how to address recent spikes in crime shouldn’t blind us to a…