ERN DC Statement on Passage of Legislation to Make the DC School Lottery More Equitable

Press Releases

November 10, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2020) — Education Reform Now DC (ERN DC) Director Ramin Taheri released the following statement on passage of B23-0717, the “Expanding Equitable Access to Great Schools Act of 2020”:

“Today, we applaud the DC Council on taking an important step toward righting a historic wrong in our public education system by passing B23-717, the “Expanding Equitable Access to Great Schools Act of 2020.”

This bill is about the true promise of public school choice — decoupling educational opportunity from a residential address — and a start to dismantling a system of public education predicated on the idea that a privileged few can enjoy exclusive access to highly-rated schools by choosing to live in a particular neighborhood.

The bill also recognizes the power of two-generational models of education, which have proven to be successful for low-income and immigrant families. By giving parents and their children an opportunity to attend the same school, we are reimagining education and strengthening the workforce.”

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