A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools

A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2011-08-25

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 0309209366

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The District of Columbia (DC) has struggled for decades to improve its public education system. In 2007 the DC government made a bold change in the way it governs public education with the goal of shaking up the system and bringing new energy to efforts to improve outcomes for students. The Public Education Reform Amendment Act (PERAA) shifted control of the city's public schools from an elected school board to the mayor, developed a new state department of education, created the position of chancellor, and made other significant management changes. A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools offers a framework for evaluating the effects of PERAA on DC's public schools. The book recommends an evaluation program that includes a systematic yearly public reporting of key data as well as in-depth studies of high-priority issues including: quality of teachers, principals, and other personnel; quality of classroom teaching and learning; capacity to serve vulnerable children and youth; promotion of family and community engagement; and quality and equity of operations, management, and facilities. As part of the evaluation program, the Mayor's Office should produce an annual report to the city on the status of the public schools, including an analysis of trends and all the underlying data. A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools suggests that D.C. engage local universities, philanthropic organizations, and other institutions to develop and sustain an infrastructure for ongoing research and evaluation of its public schools. Any effective evaluation program must be independent of school and city leaders and responsive to the needs of all stakeholders. Additionally, its research should meet the highest standards for technical quality.

Status of the District of Columbia Public Schools Readiness for the 1998-1999 School Year

Status of the District of Columbia Public Schools Readiness for the 1998-1999 School Year PDF

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Subcommittee on the District of Columbia

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 94

ISBN-13:

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A Congressional hearing was held to discuss the readiness of the District of Columbia public schools for the 1998-99 school year. In the 1997-98 school year, the District's public schools had not been able to open on time because of repair work that was not completed. After opening remarks by Congress members Thomas M. Davis and Constance Morella, Constance Newman, Vice Chairman of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, spoke about the efforts underway to improve the D.C. public schools. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools for the District of Columbia, assured the Subcommittee that the schools would be opening on time and that improvements to facilities and to instruction were ongoing. Colonel Bruce Berwick of the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for engineering technical assistance to the school system, emphasized that all schools would be able to open in safe conditions by September 1, 1998, even though all capital projects would not be completed. Arthur Turowski, Director of Portfolio Management for the Public Buildings Service of the National Capital Region of the General Services Administration, reviewed the role of that agency in the facilities repair and improvement process. Additional statements were made by these witnesses: (1) Maudine Cooper, Chairman of the school system's Emergency Transition Board; (2) Wilma Harvey, President of the elected School Board; and (3) Carlotta C. Joyner, of the U.S. General Accounting Office. Constance Newman and Arlene Ackerman summarized issues facing the D.C. schools and touched on areas related to academic achievement and the situation of charter schools. The prepared statements of each witness follow their testimony. (SLD)

Status of the District of Columbia Public Schools Readiness for the 1998-1999 School Year

Status of the District of Columbia Public Schools Readiness for the 1998-1999 School Year PDF

Author: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight. Subcommittee on the District of Columbia

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13:

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A Congressional hearing was held to discuss the readiness of the District of Columbia public schools for the 1998-99 school year. In the 1997-98 school year, the District's public schools had not been able to open on time because of repair work that was not completed. After opening remarks by Congress members Thomas M. Davis and Constance Morella, Constance Newman, Vice Chairman of the District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Authority, spoke about the efforts underway to improve the D.C. public schools. Arlene Ackerman, Superintendent of Schools for the District of Columbia, assured the Subcommittee that the schools would be opening on time and that improvements to facilities and to instruction were ongoing. Colonel Bruce Berwick of the Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for engineering technical assistance to the school system, emphasized that all schools would be able to open in safe conditions by September 1, 1998, even though all capital projects would not be completed. Arthur Turowski, Director of Portfolio Management for the Public Buildings Service of the National Capital Region of the General Services Administration, reviewed the role of that agency in the facilities repair and improvement process. Additional statements were made by these witnesses: (1) Maudine Cooper, Chairman of the school system's Emergency Transition Board; (2) Wilma Harvey, President of the elected School Board; and (3) Carlotta C. Joyner, of the U.S. General Accounting Office. Constance Newman and Arlene Ackerman summarized issues facing the D.C. schools and touched on areas related to academic achievement and the situation of charter schools. The prepared statements of each witness follow their testimony. (SLD)

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