D.C Public Schools Academic Performance Improves, But Achievement Gap Persists
A National Research Council report showed promising improvements in D.C’s public schools after seven years of aggressive reforms. However, the report also revealed persisting disparities in the academic performance and resources between the poor and wealthy students.
D.C public schools seemed to be showing improvements after seven years of aggressive education reforms, according to a report from the National Research Council. While the findings looked promising, the report released Wednesday revealed a persisting gap between the wealthy and poor students when it comes to academic performance and resources.
The council provides an independent assessment of the education reform measures implemented in 2007 when former Mayor Adrian Fenty handled the city's schools and assigned Michelle Rhee as public schools chancellor. Michael Alison Chandler of The Washington Postsaid the council found the District's minority and poor students to be less likely to perform at grade level, have a quality teacher in class, and graduate from high school on time.
While test scores have improved for all student groups, the report stated that the city's achievement gap has not been addressed.
Rhee attracted national attention when she had a dispute with union leaders and promised to overturn the status quo in an effort to change the schools. Many urban school systems have positively viewed these changes, including new academic standards and teacher evaluations. However, researchers told the council's Education Committee on Wednesday that there are no quick solutions.
"Patience is of great importance in all these endeavors," said Diana Pullin, a professor of higher education and educational leadership at Boston College who contributed to the report.
The report suggested addressing the gap as the city's primary objective. It also highlighted the need for a more centralized collection of data district-wide, including charter schools. The data would be overseen by a single agency with the ultimate responsibility of tracking the quality of public education, The Washington Post reported.
Deputy Mayor for Education Jennifer Niles said she agreed with many of the findings, and said the city is working on clarifying and improving authority lines. The city also plans to unveil a new "cross-sector task force" that would focus on improving coherence in all public schools.
D.C Public Charter School Board Executive Director Scott Pearson said they have joined in collaborative efforts like LearnDC that collects data on college and career preparedness.D.C Public Schools Academic Performance Improves, But Achievement Gap Persists : Columns : ISchoolGuide:
