Author: 21st Century School Fund

Will is our research and policy associate assisting with local and national facilities-related projects. He is currently pursuing a masters in public administration with a focus on local education policy. Prior to joing 21CSF, Will worked in DCPS and DC charter schools for five years.
Will is our research and policy associate assisting with local and national facilities-related projects. He is currently pursuing a masters in public administration with a focus on local education policy. Prior to joing 21CSF, Will worked in DCPS and DC charter schools for five years.

DC Can Improve How it Projects Public School Enrollment

Last week, The 21stCentury School Fund along with Cooperative Strategies and the Urban Institute, released a Study of Enrollment Projections for D.C.’s Public Schools: Assuring Accuracy and Transparency. The study, produced under contract with the Office of the DC Auditor, analyzed the District’s current methods for projecting enrollment, evaluated the accuracy of past projections, and produced new five- and ten-year…

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Priorities for the District’s Master Facilities Plan

The 21st Century School Fund has worked on DC education master plans since 1994 and with other cities on education and facility planning. We propose that the facility planners provide options for: Expanded early childhood Provide PK3 classes, by right, in all Title I DCPS schools Provide PK4 classes, by right, in all DCPS schools. Increased equity of by-right access…

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Four Completely Modernized DCPS Schools Opening August 2018

Four new and/or completely modernized DCPS schools are opening this fall with events this week and next: Bancroft Elementary, Ward 1, 1755 Newton St. NW, Thursday, August 16, 5:00 p.m. (also release of the city’s PARCC Assessment Scores) Boone Elementary (formerly Orr), Ward 8, 2200 Minnesota Ave SE, August 18, 4:00 p.m. MacFarland Middle School, Ward 4, 4400 Iowa Ave….

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Provide Feedback on DCPS’ Revised Attendance and Graduation Policies

By Cathy Reilly: the Executive Director of the Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators (S.H.A.P.P.E) and member of the State Board High School Graduation Requirements Task Force.  DCPS recently released draft regulations and policies for attendance, promotion, secondary grading and graduation. The public can provide feedback and comments online or at two in-person feedback sessions scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, July…

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C4DC Hosts Packed Candidate Forum on Education

Last night the DC Coalition for Public Schools and Communities held a candidate forum focused on recent challenges facing the city’s education system. First, incumbent Council chair Phil Mendelson faced off against Ed Lazere, the long-time leader of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute. Then, At-Large incumbent Anita Bonds shared the stage with her two challengers: real estate developer Marcus Goodwin and…

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What’s in DCPS’ Proposed FY19-24 Capital Improvements Plan?

Mayor Muriel Bowser released her proposed FY2019 budget last week including a 3.91% increase in the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula and an increase of nearly $56 million over the approved FY18 budget for DC Public Schools up to nearly $993 million. In addition to these important investments in operating funds, the mayor proposed $1.35 billion in capital funds to…

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Should DC Have an “At-Risk” Preference in its School Lottery?

The Cross-Sector Collaboration Task Force meeting on Tuesday, July 25th at Luke C. Moore High School focused on D.C.’s complicated lottery and what an “at risk” preference is. The task force working group on improving outcomes for at-risk students hosted an informative presentation by Cat Peretti, Executive Director of the My School DC Lottery, on the possibility of including an…

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DCPS Should Plan to Grow to 65,000

Last month Chancellor Antwan Wilson released DC Public Schools’ new five-year strategic plan entitled, “A Capital Commitment: 2017-2022”. The plan includes six goals to measure the system’s progress toward achieving its vision, mission and strategic priorities. The sixth goal, “90% of students re-enroll and DCPS serves 54,000 students,” shows that DCPS plans to grow by over 5,000 students from 48,510…

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Important Work Remains for DC’s Cross-Sector Collaboration Task Force

Roughly 55% of DC public school students attend a DCPS school and 45% attend a public charter school. With such an even split between the two sectors, as well as ongoing issues related to mid-year mobility, school facilities, and the distribution of at-risk students, the city needs greater coordination between each side. The Mayor’s Cross-Sector Collaboration Task Force aims to…

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DC Auditor Recommends Better Internal Controls for School Modernization Program

The Office of the D.C. Auditor (ODCA) released its annual report this week on the city’s school modernization program as managed by the Department of General Services (DGS). The auditor found that DGS cannot prove that it complies with the federal Davis-Bacon Act, which requires contractors to pay prevailing wages on all federal and District construction projects totaling over $2,000….

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