Join us in urging the DC Council to improve student attendance, solve our reading and math crisis, build college and career pathways for all, and protect facilities funding.
Improve Student Attendance
DC students have one of the highest rates of chronic absenteeism in the country, with three in five high school students chronically absent. DC Council must invest in a multi-faceted strategy of early intervention and support, expansion of safe passage, and better coordination between schools and government agencies.
Solve Our Math Problem
Currently, there is no funding for a statewide strategy to improve math education even though 78% of DC students did not meet grade-level math expectations last school year. DC Council must fund the Mathematics Education Improvement Amendment Act of 2024 to create a task force of local and national math experts to establish a statewide plan for supporting students, educators, and families with improved math instruction.
Protect Students’ Right to Read
In the last school year, 66% of students did not meet grade-level English expectations. While Mayor Bowser proposed $2.2 million for high-quality instructional materials and training for educators, we urge the DC Council to fully fund the Early Literacy Education Taskforce's recommendations with an additional $10 million over the financial plan so that all elementary educators are equipped with the tools and strategies to improve our student’s reading outcomes.
Build College & Career Pathways for All
Only 18 out of 100 ninth-grade cohort students complete a postsecondary degree within six years of high school graduation, and the average income of a transplant is nearly 2X that of a young adult born and living in the District. DC Council must maintain the Mayor’s proposed investments and incentivize employers to hire students in high-demand, high-wage careers.
Protect Facilities Funding
All students, no matter what school they attend, deserve a safe and well-maintained school building. The 3.1% annual increase to the public charter facilities allowance ensures students have safe and well-maintained school buildings by helping schools keep up with the high cost of inflation. Unfortunately, Mayor Bowser eliminated the increase in its entirety after next year. DC Council must restore this funding at $11.66 million over the financial plan.
“Every student’s origin story is filled with potential, waiting to be unlocked through education and opportunity. Let’s ensure our students have the resources and support of high-quality educators so they commence their heroic journey successfully with lifelong foundational skills.”
— Jessica Giles, Executive Director, ERN D.C.
Stand up for our heroes in training by emailing the Mayor and DC Council!
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“Student attendance is fundamental. Without it, even the best school investments falter.”
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"DC is experiencing a quite crisis in college access and completion. Only 8 out of 100 complete..."
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ERN DC released a study in Nov that designated chronic absenteeism as a roadblock in student achievement...
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Eleven D.C. public high schools have truancy rates higher than 70% with two hovering around 80%.
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For months, Jessica Giles has demanded an interagency response to chronic absenteeism....