On the Issues
Learn more below about my positions on many of the most pressing issues in education.
Statewide
Equity
The city should strive for, and the State Board should support, the elimination of disparities among schools, across sectors, across Wards, and across student demographic groups in course offerings, extra-curricular options, academic outcomes, and more. Culturally responsive and socially inclusive supports must be provided for English Language Learners. Equity requires greater investments in resources, wraparound services, special education supports, and ELL supports in some school communities than in others.
Data for District and School Improvement
The State Board should direct OSSE to build and maintain a robust and functional statewide longitudinal data system with automated data retrieval directly from LEAs. The goal of this effort should be systemwide improvement by equipping schools and teachers with the insights, guidance, and supports they need to meet the needs of every student. Schools should share and collaborate to replicate the programs and interventions that data show to be successful and modify those that the data show are not effective.
Improving
Literacy
In 2019, only 30 percent of DC fourth graders scored as proficient or better according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading assessments. Thanks to tireless and heroic advocacy led by Decoding Dyslexia DC, culminating in passage of the Addressing Dyslexia and Other Reading Difficulties Act of 2020, every DC local education agency is required to adopt a curriculum rooted in the science of reading. OSSE must fully and swiftly implement the recommentations of the Literacy Task Force.
Supporting and Retaining Teachers
The State Board should build on its work to collect and understand data related to teacher retention. The State Board should explore and elevate strategies to support and retain teachers that invest in their growth and wellbeing, particularly those identified by teachers themselves.
Safe
Streets
The State Board should continue pressing for safe streets surrounding our school communities. Ward 5 has several clusters of schools where traffic often becomes gridlocked and aggressive drivers endanger pedestrians. We need better planning, coordination, design, and deployment of traffic control personnel to protect pedestrians at our schools.
Safe
Passage
The Safe Passage program should be expanded to have broader spatial and temporal coverage. Safe Passage workers should have more robust training appropriate for their tasks and standards should be uniform across CBO partners.
Student
Safety
Students should feel safe and cared for within school buildings. Schools should have robust policies and supports to eliminate bullying and harassment. School communities should be transparent and vigilant in reporting and addressing sexual assaults and harassment.
Trade
Programs
Increase options for adult, high school, and middle school learners to enroll in trade programs that offer career pathways.
Systematize Standards Review
The State Board should develop a systematic process for standards review and establish timelines for routine review of each subject area.
Student Mental Health Supports
The State Board should support and elevate the strong push by education advocates and community coalitions for full and robust mental health supports for students, many of whom face various types of challenges and traumas.
Supporting Students with Special Needs
Every student can learn and deserves every available support to do so. Equity demands that the city meets the needs of students with special needs and complex disabilities.
Supporting
LGBTQ+ Youth
LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges and barriers. School staff and counselors should be equipped to address these challenges and foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging.