D.C. school principals report improved resources, support

Five years ago, some principals from D.C. public schools took part in a survey that revealed their disappointment with the lack of support and resources they received from the school system. Some principals were so unprepared that they began the school year without adequate staffing, textbooks, supplies or security officers.

But results from the Ready Schools survey show that principals are receiving more support and resources from the school system since the initial report in 2004.

The report, which polled more than 100 principals from the city's public schools, was released at a town hall meeting with Ward 4 residents and parents Monday at Roosevelt High School in Northwest Washington. Among the findings:

-- Eighty-nine percent of principals were able fulfill their staffing needs by the start of the school year, compared with about 40 percent last year. About 50 percent were able to fulfill their staffing needs five years ago.

-- Eighty-nine percent said textbooks arrived on time, up from 73 percent last year. Only 21 percent received their textbooks on time in 2005.

-- Nine percent said the none of their promised repairs were completed by the start of the school year, compared with 18 percent last year. Forty-six percent had none of their promised repairs completed in 2005.

"We're pleased," said Jeff Smith, executive director of DC Voice, a nonprofit education advocacy group that conducts the annual survey. "Those basics are being looked after."

Ronald E. Hampton, president of Roosevelt's PTA, said the town hall meeting format was informative and instructive.

"This is one way of getting a feel of what's going on in the school system," Hampton said. "I can see some of the improvement."

But Hampton and other residents had reservations about the accuracy of the staffing data the principals provided because it was collected before the layoff of more than 200 teachers last month. According to the report, only 69 percent of Ward 4 school principals had completed their teacher hiring, compared with 100 percent in Wards 2 and 5.

"It's a legitimate concern," Smith said. "We want to make sure that the resources that do arrive are there throughout" the school year.

Smith said additional town hall meetings for parents and residents will be held throughout the city. Meetings are scheduled for Wards 7 and 8 at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ward Memorial AME Church, 241 42nd St. NE, and Wards 1 and 2 at 9 a.m. Nov. 20 at All Souls Church, Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St. NW.

A meeting for Ward 5 will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Luke C. Moore Academy, 1001 Monroe St. NE. A meeting for Ward 6 was held Tuesday at Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Northeast.

Residents who attend are encouraged to participate in developing recommendations to continue education reform.

"A meeting like this is very important," said D.C. State Board of Education member Sekou Biddle (Ward 4), who attended Monday's gathering. "The information helps us drill down what are the important things we need to look at on a year-to-year basis."

Ward 4 parents and residents said they want to emphasize more community involvement with the schools. Some residents at Monday's town hall proposed that parent resource centers be established at all schools and staffed with community coordinators to foster the relationship.

Fewer than half of the principals surveyed reported not having someone to perform community outreach. But more than 60 percent of schools in wards 3, 5 and 7 have no one to assist with outreach.

"This administration has less focus on parent or community engagement," Hampton said. If D.C. schools were "serious about parent engagement, it makes our job a lot easier."