WHAT OTHERS SAY
STUDENTS, PARENTS, SCHOOL LEADERS AND POLL AFTER POLL SHOW THAT K-12
EDUCATION REFORM IS THE TOP PRIORITY FOR WASHINGTON, DC. THE STATUS QUO
IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND ALL ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE PROMISE OF REFORM.
FROM STUDENTS, PARENTS & SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
"Education is by far the number one issue, because it affects everyone in the District. We have to continue the focus on reforming the public school system while also making sure families have options including public charter schools and continuing the Opportunity Scholarship Program."
RONALD HOLASSIE
DEPUTY YOUTH MAYOR FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
"The presence of the students we received improved the quality of education not just for them, but for all students in our
school."
HEAD OF SCHOOL - SIDWELL FRIENDS
"I am determined to build a better life and want others in my community to have that
chance, as well."
TIFFANY
2008 VALEDICTORIAN, ARCHBISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL,
D.C. OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENT
"Thank you for allowing this program to be an option. My son came up to me and said this
school is so exciting, I hope you are going to allow me to return to this school next year."
LOISA
PARENT OF A D.C. OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM STUDENT
"..Parents and students are very happy with the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program. And the reason is because the program is working for parents, for children, and for Washington D.C."
LINDA MOORE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ELSIE WHITLOW STOKES COMMUNITY FREEDOM PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL
WHAT OUR LEADERS SAY
"I would never, as long as I am in this role, do anything to limit another parent's ability to make a choice for their child. Ever."
MICHELLE RHEE
D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR
"These targeted investments are a critical catalyst for the types of innovation that have been lacking for too long in the Nation's Capital...a pay for performance initiative for DCPS teachers; increased instructional leadership training for principals; support for a student data reporting system; initiatives to replicate high-performing charter schools; and the continuation of the Opportunity Scholarship Program."
WASHINGTON, DC MAYOR
WHAT PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOWS
From a Greater Washington Urban League Poll:
- A majority of DC residents with children believe that DC schools should be the most important priority for the mayor. No other issue even comes close.
- 84% of D.C. parents think Mayor Adrian Fenty taking over the DC public schools will lead to improvements.
- DC residents favor by more than a two-to-one margin "using federal tax dollars in the form of vouchers or scholarships to help parents send their children to private schools."
Download the Greater Washington Urban League Press Release, December 2007
From a June 2008 Education Reform Now* poll of 500 DC residents:
- Nearly eight in ten DC residents said they believe that "parents should be able to choose where their children attend schools".
- 63% said "working and poor parents should be given financial assistance in the form of a voucher to send their children to the school of their choice."
- 57% answered yes to "Do you think that public charter schools are a good idea?"
*Education Reform Now is a non-partisan non-profit with ties to Democrats for Education Reform (DFER).
For more information:
info@dcchildrenfirst.org
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1080
Washington, DC 20006
202.772.0429
Fax: 202.772.0401
