D.C. Schools Insider: D.C. Public Schools


Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 01/30/2013

Can traditional school systems be replaced by charters?
By Emma Brown
Chancellor Kaya Henderson responded to the argument that charter schools should replace DCPS.

By Emma Brown  |  09:14 AM ET, 01/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 09:58 AM ET, 01/24/2013

Are school closings just the start of DCPS reorganization?
By Emma Brown
A study commissioned by the school system lays out other changes that may be on the horizon in D.C.

By Emma Brown  |  09:58 AM ET, 01/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/24/2013

Henderson outlines boundary change process
By Emma Brown
The citywide task force will gather input from parents before making final recommendations in June.

By Emma Brown  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 03:28 PM ET, 01/22/2013

D.C. considers new graduation requirements
By Emma Brown
The proposal would require more art, music and physical exercise, but would discard requirement for course in U.S. Government.

By Emma Brown  |  03:28 PM ET, 01/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 01:00 PM ET, 01/22/2013

Kaya Henderson to answer council’s questions on school closures
By Emma Brown
D.C. Council members will have a chance to ask questions about the chancellor’s plan to close 15 schools.

By Emma Brown  |  01:00 PM ET, 01/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:26 PM ET, 01/18/2013

Empower DC plans to sue over D.C. school closures
By Emma Brown
Empower DC organizers said they will detail their legal strategy next week.

By Emma Brown  |  04:26 PM ET, 01/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 08:05 AM ET, 01/17/2013

DCPS to announce final school closures Thursday
By Emma Brown
Chancellor Kaya Henderson is expected to announce final decisions about closures on Thursday.

By Emma Brown  |  08:05 AM ET, 01/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 01/11/2013

Catania: No plans to reinvestigate alleged cheating in DCPS
By Emma Brown
Chairman of D.C. Council’s newly reconstituted education committee said he’ll review test security.

By Emma Brown  |  04:57 PM ET, 01/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:00 PM ET, 01/09/2013

D.C. charter board proposes closing Imagine Southeast for poor performance
By Emma Brown
Imagine Southeast has failed to meet academic achievement goals.

By Emma Brown  |  05:00 PM ET, 01/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:32 PM ET, 01/08/2013

D.C. charter school board objects to Rhee’s report card
By Emma Brown
Board says Rhee’s analysis of D.C. education policy — particularly charter schools — is flawed.

By Emma Brown  |  02:32 PM ET, 01/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 01/08/2013

Michelle Rhee responds to federal investigation of alleged DCPS cheating
By Emma Brown
Former D.C Schools chancellor says investigation should put cheating allegations to rest.

By Emma Brown  |  12:58 PM ET, 01/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 10:20 AM ET, 01/07/2013

Rhee’s Students First gives District education policies a middling grade
By Emma Brown
Students First grades states on how well their education policies align with those championed by Michelle Rhee.

By Emma Brown  |  10:20 AM ET, 01/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:15 PM ET, 12/19/2012

DCPS should guarantee librarians in every school, task force recommends
By Emma Brown
Chancellor Kaya Henderson said she will review the recommendation to guarantee school librarians.

By Emma Brown  |  05:15 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:54 PM ET, 12/19/2012

D.C. charter schools band together to form new high school with focus on foreign language
By Emma Brown
The District of Columbia International School would offer IB programs and deep foreign language instruction.

By Emma Brown  |  04:54 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 03:27 PM ET, 12/19/2012

Judge dismisses long-running Petties case, gives final approval to D.C. control of special-ed buses
By Emma Brown
U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman called it a “historic” day in the 17-year class-action lawsuit.

By Emma Brown  |  03:27 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 11:29 AM ET, 12/18/2012

Parents concerned that DCPS does not require lockdown drills
By Emma Brown
School system officials say they are confident in security systems and emergency preparedness.

By Emma Brown  |  11:29 AM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 12/12/2012

D.C. releases results of nation’s first-ever standardized test on health and sex ed
By Emma Brown
Advocates see exam as a first step toward understanding and reducing high rates of STDs, obesity, teen pregnancy.

By Emma Brown  |  04:25 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Forecasts | Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 12/12/2012

Meet Julia King, D.C. Teacher of the Year
By Emma Brown
Seventh-grade math teacher is creative, passionate and relentless about refining her craft.

By Emma Brown  |  09:33 AM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 12/05/2012

D.C. may restore ombudsman to field parents complaints, concerns about schools
By Emma Brown
The position would give parents a voice and a place to get problems resolved.

By Emma Brown  |  04:13 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 01:13 PM ET, 12/05/2012

Forgotten-child episode should not derail Petties settlement, judge says
By Emma Brown
An episode last week in which a boy was forgotten aboard a bus for hours should not interfere, judge says.

By Emma Brown  |  01:13 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:10 PM ET, 11/30/2012

D.C. Council candidate Matthew Frumin sees need for a vision on city education
By Emma Brown
Matthew Frumin wants a plan for how traditional public schools and public charters will coexist.

By Emma Brown  |  02:10 PM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 01:33 PM ET, 11/28/2012

Ward 8 parents, teachers challenge D.C. school closure plan
By Emma Brown
A standing-room only crowd of parents, teachers and activists gathered Tuesday in Southeast.

By Emma Brown  |  01:33 PM ET, 11/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 11/28/2012

More details on D.C. bus driver, attendant who left special-needs student alone for hours
By Nikita Stewart
The four-year-old special-needs student was left alone for hours on a city bus.

By Nikita Stewart  |  11:56 AM ET, 11/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 04:05 PM ET, 11/27/2012

D.C. Council, community, to discuss future of buildings vacated by school closures
By Emma Brown
Several meetings this week are planned to discuss closures and plans for vacant buildings.

By Emma Brown  |  04:05 PM ET, 11/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:54 PM ET, 11/26/2012

KIPP DC a finalist in Race to the Top competition
By Emma Brown
The charter school network is seeking $10 million to expand a teacher training program.

By Emma Brown  |  05:54 PM ET, 11/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Categories:  Hey, Isn't That...? | Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:34 PM ET, 11/20/2012

More details on three charter-school chains seeking approval to operate in the District
By Emma Brown
Three charter-schools chains want to set up shop in the District, eventually enrolling more than 6,000 kids at 10 separate campuses.

By Emma Brown  |  02:34 PM ET, 11/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 07:28 PM ET, 11/19/2012

Three charter school operators apply to open doors in the District
By Emma Brown
All three would offer ‘blended learning’ models that combine face-to-face teaching and online learning.

By Emma Brown  |  07:28 PM ET, 11/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:44 PM ET, 11/19/2012

D.C. Council holds 2nd hearing on school closures
By Emma Brown
Kaya Henderson, D.C. schools chancellor, will be the first to testify on proposal to shutter 20 city schools.

By Emma Brown  |  05:44 PM ET, 11/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 11/16/2012

Four takeaways from the D.C. Council’s school-closure hearing
By Emma Brown
The hearing lasted seven hours. Here are four takeaways.

By Emma Brown  |  10:53 AM ET, 11/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 11/13/2012

DCPS closure proposal expected today
By Emma Brown
Chancellor Kaya Henderson’s list of proposed school closures is expected to be made public today.

By Emma Brown  |  09:10 AM ET, 11/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 11/12/2012

What information do D.C. parents need as they’re choosing schools for their kids?
By Emma Brown
D.C. official says parents need more information to help choose the best school for their kids.

By Emma Brown  |  12:17 PM ET, 11/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 08:32 PM ET, 11/08/2012

D.C. releases high school graduation rates
By Emma Brown
The on-time graduation rate for all District high school students ticked up two points to 61 percent this year.

By Emma Brown  |  08:32 PM ET, 11/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:07 AM ET, 11/07/2012

Mary Lord wins at-large seat on D.C. education board
By Emma Brown
Mary Lord appears to have won at-large seat on the D.C. State Board of Education, defeating Marvin Tucker.

By Emma Brown  |  12:07 AM ET, 11/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 08:18 PM ET, 11/01/2012

List of purported DCPS school closures is inaccurate, officials say
By Emma Brown
A list of proposed D.C. school closings has been flying around neighborhood listserves this evening. Officials say it’s not accurate.

By Emma Brown  |  08:18 PM ET, 11/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:42 PM ET, 11/01/2012

D.C., flush with money, sends millions to DCPS and charter schools
By Emma Brown
DCPS and charter schools get a combined $14 million.

By Emma Brown  |  05:42 PM ET, 11/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:15 PM ET, 10/25/2012

D.C. officials expect enrollment numbers to hold up well under audit
By Emma Brown
Charter school enrollment in the District continues to grow quickly while DCPS enrollment appears to be steady or headed for a slight drop.

By Emma Brown  |  05:15 PM ET, 10/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 06:33 PM ET, 10/19/2012

Deputy Mayor for Education De’Shawn Wright leaves post for new job in New York
By Emma Brown
De’Shawn Wright heads to New York for a top state education post.

By Emma Brown  |  06:33 PM ET, 10/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:47 PM ET, 10/19/2012

D.C. Council schedules hearings on school closures
By Emma Brown
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has scheduled two mid-November hearings to give the public a chance to comment on school closures in the city.

By Emma Brown  |  12:47 PM ET, 10/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 10/17/2012

D.C. Council halts rental fees for parent-run school enrichment programs
By Emma Brown
The District may no longer collect rent from parents who run enrichment programs in the city’s public schools, under emergency legislation.

By Emma Brown  |  12:00 PM ET, 10/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 10/16/2012

Questions about Teach to One at Hart Middle School
By Emma Brown
Readers have raised some good questions about the blended learning program at Hart Middle School.

By Emma Brown  |  10:17 AM ET, 10/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 06:19 PM ET, 10/11/2012

DCPS names teacher, principal of the year
By Emma Brown
D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and Mayor Vincent Gray showed up unannounced at schools to deliver the news.

By Emma Brown  |  06:19 PM ET, 10/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/10/2012

Fight for Children announces $10 million early childhood initiative
By Emma Brown
Fight for Children plans to raise $10 million, mostly to bolster training for teachers and principals at schools in needy neighborhoods.

By Emma Brown  |  11:00 AM ET, 10/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:00 PM ET, 10/09/2012

D.C. Council considers giving state education board more control over personnel, budget
By Emma Brown
D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has called a hearing on legislation that would give the board of education more autonomy.

By Emma Brown  |  12:00 PM ET, 10/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 07:06 AM ET, 10/09/2012

District charges rent for parent-run foreign language classes at Lafayette Elementary
By Emma Brown
Lafayette Elementary parents may cancel language classes for kids after being asked to pay a rental fee.

By Emma Brown  |  07:06 AM ET, 10/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 07:18 PM ET, 10/04/2012

D.C. debates new high school graduation requirements
By Emma Brown
The D.C. State Board of Education had hoped to finalize new high school graduation requirements by the end of the year, but now may wait until early 2013 to give the public more time to weigh in.

By Emma Brown  |  07:18 PM ET, 10/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:12 PM ET, 10/01/2012

Profile: Matthew Wheelock, founder of Live It Learn It
By Emma Brown
Matthew Wheelock left his law firm job to work in the city’s schools.

By Emma Brown  |  02:12 PM ET, 10/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:48 PM ET, 09/25/2012

More DCPS students taking, passing Advanced Placement exams
By Emma Brown
More D.C. Public Schools students are taking and scoring well on AP exams.

By Emma Brown  |  02:48 PM ET, 09/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:14 PM ET, 09/24/2012

D.C. students make math gains on SAT, but scores still trail national average
By Emma Brown
SAT scores for seniors graduating from public schools in the District have risen 10 points since 2008.

By Emma Brown  |  05:14 PM ET, 09/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 07:20 PM ET, 09/21/2012

Charter schools suspend, expel students at widely varying rates
By Emma Brown
D.C. charter schools suspended and expelled students at widely varying rates in 2011-12, according to data released Thursday by the D.C. Public Charter School Board.

By Emma Brown  |  07:20 PM ET, 09/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 06:26 PM ET, 09/20/2012

DCPS to propose school closures as resistance simmers
By Emma Brown
A long-anticipated round of proposed school closures will be announced in the next few weeks, Chancellor Kaya Henderson said Wednesday.

By Emma Brown  |  06:26 PM ET, 09/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:20 PM ET, 09/20/2012

DCPS proposes turning River Terrace into special-needs school
By Emma Brown
DCPS has proposed turning the old River Terrace Elementary into a special-needs school.

By Emma Brown  |  05:20 PM ET, 09/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:36 PM ET, 09/20/2012

Three-year-old allowed to leave D.C. school without mother’s knowledge
By Emma Brown
A D.C. elementary school has tightened its dismissal policies after a boy was allowed to leave campus.

By Emma Brown  |  02:36 PM ET, 09/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:52 AM ET, 09/19/2012

Key changes under D.C.’s No Child waiver
By Emma Brown
It’s not just student achievement targets that underwent a makeover when the District won a waiver from key parts of No Child Left Behind. The whole accountability system has been revised.

By Emma Brown  |  05:52 AM ET, 09/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 08:46 AM ET, 09/18/2012

D.C. charter school struggles with enrollment swings thanks to waitlist shuffle
By Emma Brown
The waitlist shuffle leads to wild enrollment swings within the first few weeks of classes at one D.C. charter school.

By Emma Brown  |  08:46 AM ET, 09/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:48 PM ET, 09/17/2012

D.C. council member Evans pushes for librarians, art and music teachers at every school
By Emma Brown
Every D.C. Public School would hire a full-time librarian, art teacher and music teacher under legislation that D.C. Council Member Jack Evans plans to introduce this week.

By Emma Brown  |  12:48 PM ET, 09/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 12:48 PM ET, 09/15/2012

Officials cut ribbon at Anacostia High
By Emma Brown
D.C. officials celebrated a $62 million, top-to-bottom overhaul of Anacostia High School that they hope will be part of a larger revolution at the long-struggling school.

By Emma Brown  |  12:48 PM ET, 09/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 03:42 PM ET, 09/13/2012

Educare early childhood center opens in Ward 7
By Emma Brown
Mayor Vincent Gray celebrated the opening of a $16 million early childhood center meant to close the achievement gap by enrolling infants as young as six weeks old.

By Emma Brown  |  03:42 PM ET, 09/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:56 PM ET, 09/11/2012

Audit says Rhee-era school closures cost millions more than originally reported
By Emma Brown
D.C. Auditor says the closure of 23 schools in 2008 cost millions more than previously reported.

By Emma Brown  |  05:56 PM ET, 09/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 05:56 PM ET, 09/11/2012

Audit says Rhee-era school closures cost millions more than originally reported
By Emma Brown
As DCPS plans to close more schools, the city auditor says the closure of 23 schools in 2008 cost millions more than previously reported.

By Emma Brown  |  05:56 PM ET, 09/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 09/10/2012

D.C. charter schools try to simplify application process for parents
By Emma Brown
For the first time this year, applications for most D.C. charter schools will be due on the same day — part of an effort to simplify the process for parents.

By Emma Brown  |  02:59 PM ET, 09/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dc public schools

Posted at 11:08 AM ET, 04/06/2012

DCPS graduation rate: Some good news
By Bill Turque
Despite the obvious challenges, there is some movement in the right direction.

By Bill Turque  |  11:08 AM ET, 04/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  D.C. Public Schools

Posted at 06:04 PM ET, 03/28/2012

D.C. school budget: Parents, students decry cuts to high schools, librarians, special ed coordinators
By Bill Turque
While Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s proposed school spending plan provides a 2 percent raise in the student funding formula, basic costs have risen closer to 5 percent.

By Bill Turque  |  06:04 PM ET, 03/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  charter schools, D.C. Public Schools