WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2022) — Democrats for Education Reform D.C. (DFER D.C.) State Director Jessica Giles released the following statement about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade:
“We are outraged by this decision,” said Giles. “It jeopardizes countless lives as states across the country are moving to ban abortion. Millions of people will no longer have access to basic health care & reproductive health care.”
“We call on the Mayor and the D.C. Council to enact legislation that will further protect individuals asserting their reproductive rights in the District of Columbia. We urge Congress to codify the right to abortion in federal law and immediately pass H.R.51, the “Washington, D.C. Admission Act. Because the District does not have statehood, Congress must act quickly to protect our residents from meddling Republicans who would seek to ban abortion in D.C.”
“As Pro-choice Democrats, we will always fight for the right for every person to choose to: reproduce, use contraception, marry the person they love, and educate their child at the school of their choice.”
About DFER D.C.
DFER D.C. is dedicated to eliminating racial inequity and discrimination in the D.C. public education system by supporting leaders who champion student-centered policies.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2022) – Democrats for Education Reform D.C. (DFER D.C.) State Director Jessica Giles released the following statement on the inclusion of DFER D.C.’s priorities in the FY2023 budget:
“Our community urged Mayor Muriel Bowser, Chairman Phil Mendelson, and the D.C. Council to pass an education budget that helps fix school funding inequity, invests in safe and positive learning environments, and supports our educators; and they delivered,” Giles said.
“Last Tuesday, the D.C. Council voted in support of historic investments in per-pupil funding, greater funding for schools serving high percentages of students designated as at-risk, an updated adequacy study for education, a 3.1% increase in the charter facilities allotment, structured literacy training for educators, school-based behavioral health supports, and an expansion of a pre-existing first-time homeowner financial assistance program to educators.
“Our elected officials continue to show that education is of utmost importance by making these historic investments.
“Our students must come first – no matter what. Their race, gender, sexual orientation, class, zip code, or disability should not impact the quality of education they receive. This is why we fight for a budget that works in the best interest of our students and our community.
“We look forward to continuing to partner with the office of the Mayor, D.C. Council, and the D.C. State Board of Education to ensure all students—especially those who have been historically disenfranchised — have the opportunity to have a fair, equitable, and high-quality public education.”
On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the fiscal year 2023 budget and financial plan included the following investments:
Two new concentration at-risk weights in the Uniform Per Student Funding Formula (UPSFF), for a total of $10.4 million in recurring funding;
A $300,000 adequacy study every five years to ensure the UPSFF increases adequately for all students;
A 5.9% increase to the foundation of the UPSFF for all schools in FY 2023;
A 3.1% increase to the public charter facilities allotment in FY 2023 to keep up with rising costs in the District;
Structured literacy training for D.C. Public School teachers, a $2,000 stipend for those who complete the training, and a task force;
An increase in community-based organization grant sizes in the School-Based Behavioral Health program and $150,000 to fund a cost study;
Expansion to educators of a pre-existing first-time homeowner financial assistance program; and
Continued funding for restorative justice, dual enrollment, and High-Impact Tutoring.
the Committee on Transportation & the Environment Public Hearing: Bill 24-66, the Safe Passage to School Expansion Act of 2021
Nikki D’Angelo Community Organizer Democrats for Education Reform DC
Good morning Chairman Mendelson, Councilmember Cheh, Committee of the Whole, and Committee on Transportation and the Environment:
My name is Nikki D’Angelo, and I am a Ward 5 resident, DC Public Schools (DCPS) parent, former DC charter school teacher, and former DCPS central office employee. I am testifying on behalf of Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC). I am pleased to testify in support of Bill 24-66, the Safe Passage to School Expansion Act of 2021. I hope that this testimony will provide a critical perspective for keeping our students safe.
Now that students are back to school, the issue of safe passage has to be prioritized. As described in the Office of the Student’s Advocate’s survey and report on student safe passage, too many students do not feel safe.[1] I believe that DC must ensure that all students, teachers, and community members are heard so that safe passage policies are specific to each school and community yet nimble enough to reflect our changing needs. This will require true flexibility, autonomy, and equity in budgeting and fidelity and accountability in practice.
I have many personal connections and stories that speak to what this bill hopes to accomplish. My son attends Burroughs Elementary in Ward 5 and the young girl who was recently killed by a vehicle driving through the neighborhood is not far from where I walk with my son and dog to and from school. We were almost hit by a car crossing Rhode Island Avenue in the crosswalk the other day.
I used to work at IDEA Public Charter school in Deanwood. I heard too many times from students about how unsafe they feel walking to and from the metro, especially considering there was usually a lot of activity near the Deanwood Recreation Center one block away. I also used to work off of Benning road at DC Prep Benning Elementary. Walking to work one day at the beginning of the school year, I was stopped by a man in his car right off Benning road who attempted to pull me into his car. If I can be the victim of harassment and attempted kidnapping near a school, so can a small child. I always appreciated that many students had access to safe passage buses and routes. However, I would have loved to see more folks on the ground trained and supported to handle traffic and conflicts that inevitably occur in a large city like ours. If my students and I had the in-depth support a bill like this could provide, so many damaging experiences would have been prevented.
I know much is being done regarding these issues. With this new bill, I appreciate the focus on collaboration and problem solving amongst District agencies. However, as I’ve seen working for DCPS at the Central Office level, “communication” sounds great in theory, but I think the Council must prioritize ensuring timely and productive communication in practice in this bill. Additionally, I appreciate the focus on leaning on the wisdom and connections of community-based organizations – each ward and neighborhood within those wards have different problems and thus, must have tailored solutions. However, as I’ve seen educating in DC charter schools, ensuring stabilized funding for organizations is important so that they have the time to build out effective systems. As we know, working with people takes time, intention, and sometimes trial and error. Lastly, I appreciate the focus on putting actual folks on the ground to monitor high priority areas because, as I mentioned, I’ve heard from too many students and experienced enough myself to know that actual feet on the ground is a tactic I can see truly working.
In conclusion, I can not say this enough – the DC Council must continue to center the voices and experiences of students, parents, and community members to achieve the best results for our communities. I hope that as the school year continues and new information unfolds, the DC Council will continue to focus its efforts on ensuring our students are safe coming to and from home and school. Prioritizing higher risk areas, schools, safe spots around corridors and libraries and restorative justice practices are incredibly impactful initiatives that I had positive experiences with inside and outside the schools I’ve worked in and sent my son to. I would also implore the Council to uplift the work already being done by so many across the city in community organizations, DCPS and Charter schools – we have foundations that are not always built upon and replicated, but if they are effective, we should continue to invest in them.
Therefore, I urge the DC Council to center, prioritize and ensure funding for community-based organizations to do this difficult work. I hope that the Council will monitor the effectiveness of the programs implemented because we aren’t speaking theoretically when it comes to protecting the lives of children. Thank you for allowing me to testify.
Good evening Executive Director John-Paul Hayworth and Representatives of the State Board:
My name is Nikki D’Angelo and I am a Ward 5 resident, DCPS parent, former DC charter school teacher and former DCPS central office employee. I am testifying on behalf of Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) and I am pleased to offer testimony in support of safe passage. It is my hope that this testimony will provide a critical perspective for keeping our students safe.
Now that students are back to school, the issue of safe passage has to be prioritized. As described in the Office of the Student’s Advocate’s survey and report on student safe passage, too many students do not feel safe.[1] I believe that DC must ensure that all students, teachers, and community members are heard so that safe passage policies are specific to each school and community yet nimble enough to reflect our changing needs. This will require true flexibility, autonomy, and equity in budgeting and fidelity and accountability in practice.
Shuttles and safe routes
I know there’s been a lot of work around safe passage being done by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) and simply, there’s more that needs to be done. That is why I am supportive of increased shuttles and safe routes. The last thing students need to worry about is getting safely to school. I’ve had my own experience with this issue. One day I was walking from the Benning metro to the school I taught at, DC Prep Benning Elementary School, when a car pulled up alongside me just as I crossed Benning Rd. He rolled down his window, leaned over from the driver’s side and told me to get in. When I refused, he lunged to grab me and pull me inside the car. I was able to get away and run to my school, but despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to teach for the day – leaving my new second grade class with a last minute substitute. If this can happen to me in broad daylight, it can happen to anyone.
I also know there have been numerous altercations and harassment near Deanwood metro station. From my experience teaching at IDEA public charter school a couple of years ago, many of my students successfully used the safe passage shuttles already in place to the Deanwood metro, yet still frequently reported feeling unsafe walking from the Deanwood metro to the school campus.
Additionally, there’s a lot of speeding in ward five, especially on major roads like South Dakota Road, Rhode Island Avenue, and Bladensburg Road, which bleed into the surrounding residential areas. This concerns me because a lot of students in my neighborhood walk to Langdon Elementary school or Burroughs Elementary school where my son attends. My sincerest gratitude goes to Representative Zachary Parker for his outspokenness and work on this issue in ward five, especially considering the 5-year-old who was tragically killed by a vehicle in my neighborhood two weeks ago.
To reiterate, despite the work that’s been done, too many students still struggle with arriving safely to and from school. Each ward has differing problems and thus, must have tailored solutions. It is imperative that policymakers center the voices and experiences of community members in order to achieve the best results for our communities.
It is my hope that as the school year continues and new information unfolds, the DC State Board of Education will continue to focus its efforts on how to ensure our students are safe coming to and from home and school.
Re-Opening District of Columbia Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools for School Year 2021-2022
Nikki D’Angelo
Community Organizer
Democrats for Education Reform DC
Good morning Chairman Mendelson and the Committee of the Whole:
My name is Nikki D’Angelo and I am a Ward 5 resident, DCPS parent and former DC charter school teacher. I am testifying on behalf of Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) and I am pleased to offer testimony in support of school reopenings. It is my hope that this testimony will provide a critical perspective for keeping our students IN schools.
Since March 2020, our education community in DC has been stunned and traumatized by the impact of COVID-19. So many DCPS and DC charter school parents work full-time jobs that require them to be in-person and/or not work between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. In these cases, school reopenings have helped us breathe a sigh of relief. While virtual learning helped many of our students continue their education and stay connected with our education community, it did not offer the kind of educational experience and support that students and families deserve.
For individuals working full time, in-person, and especially those deemed “essential workers”, adding “at-home teacher” to their growing list of priorities and family responsibilities in a global pandemic was a massive and unexpected undertaking. For 13 months, I worked for $15.00 per hour, 5:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. shifts when I didn’t have my son, picked him up directly after work, and survived full-time single motherhood with minimal support from the education community to which I was accustomed. If I couldn’t work in-person, I couldn’t put food on the table.
About 47% of public school students are considered “at-risk” – we know that means that many of their parents can identify with one or multiple of the following communities: under-represented, low-income, full-time working, single parents or guardians. Not to mention the families, like
In July of 2021, when I began working with DFER DC, I was able to work from home which has afforded me a different ability to support my son’s education through the tail end of the pandemic. I no longer work three jobs to support my son and can focus on my work while he is in person, at school, where he thrives and learns things I can’t teach him on my own despite my being a former teacher.
Many parents in general struggle with the concept of whether or not they feel entirely safe sending their children back to school. As published in the NY Times article in July of this year, “In the Covid-19 Economy, You Can Have a Kid or a Job. You Can’t Have Both” parents I’ve been speaking to are making that decision: sending their children back because they cannot afford to miss work.[2] Other concerns I’ve heard range from whether or not our facilities are up-to-date enough to keep students as safe as possible and what the long-term logistical plan is to keep our kids in and safe in all our different schools and communities.
It is my hope that as the school year continues and new information unfolds, the DC Council will focus its efforts on how to maintain in-person learning while also ensuring COVID does not spread within our schools.
WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 10, 2021)—Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) Director Jessica Giles released the following statement today in response to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s COVID-19 Situational Update: “I applaud Mayor Bowser for requiring DC government employees, including DCPS staff, paid contractors, grantees, and interns of the District to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or undergo weekly testing. I also support similar requirements for DC public charter school staff, teachers, contractors, and grantees to protect all DC children and families.
One of the greatest threats to Black lives over this past year has been the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately infected and killed Black people and communities of color. Making matters worse, we learned today that 10% of new COVID cases are now being diagnosed in children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. This is a public health crisis and a social justice crisis, but we can save lives by getting vaccinated. Following the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention every DC resident over the age of 12 years old should be vaccinated from COVID-19 and, in areas of substantial or high transmission, wear masks in public indoor settings.
Mandating vaccinations is not only the right thing to do, but it is highly popular among DC residents. Education Reform Now Advocacy’s latest poll shows DC voters overwhelmingly support vaccine requirements for DCPS and public charter employees—86% and 85% respectively, with 89% of voters expressing concern over the latest COVID-19 variants.
By getting vaccinated we can protect our students and our communities. Everyone must rise to the occasion to ensure our students have a healthy, safe, and strong school year.”
About DFER DC Democrats for Education Reform DC (DFER DC) works to recruit, educate, and help elect Democratic and progressive candidates who are committed to a public education system in Washington, DC, that justly and equitably serves all students. Education Reform Now Advocacy is a partner organization of DFER DC.
Democrats for Education Reform Congratulates Dr. Lewis Ferebee On Being Confirmed Chancellor of DC Public Schools
Dr. Ferebee Demonstrates Strong Track Record for Advancing Educational Equality
Washington, D.C. (March 6, 2019)–– Democrats for Education Reform District of Columbia chapter (DFER DC) congratulates Dr. Lewis Ferebee on being unanimously confirmed by the D.C. City Council as the next Chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). “Dr. Ferebee comes to D.C. with an excellent track record of advancing educational equity and working across public school sectors to help students succeed,” said Josh Henderson of DFER DC. “We are excited to see what Dr. Ferebee can accomplish for the District’s students, and we look forward to working with him to close the opportunity gap for all children.” Dr. Ferebee was nominated as Chancellor by Mayor Muriel Bowser and started as Interim Chancellor in January. DFER DC supported his nomination to the position.
Each week in our Friday Five, we’ll highlight five news stories or DFER DC updates to help keep you in the loop on our work, what’s on the horizon, and what’s happening in local politics that may affect DC public and public charter schools.
