FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cesar Toledo, Cesar@edreformnow.org
JESSICA GILES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REFORM NOW D.C. ISSUES STATEMENT ON MAYOR BOWSER’S FY 2025 BUDGET
Budget reflects organizational priorities, including the expansion of college and career pathways
Washington, D.C. (April 3, 2024) — Today, Jessica Giles, Executive Director at Education Reform Now D.C. (ERN D.C.), issued a statement on the inclusion of ERN D.C.’s priorities in the Mayor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget and fiscal plan:
“In a year marked by significant financial constraints, we commend the Mayor for proposing a budget that is forward-thinking in education investments and provides a solid foundation for innovation and future success.
Still, there are areas where the budget should further align to solve the District’s academic achievement crisis. We hope to see a more pronounced investment in learning acceleration programs, specifically in funding a statewide math research and innovation strategy, where unacceptable opportunity gaps exist. We also call for fully expanding science of reading training to all elementary school educators to support our students’ literacy skills.
As the D.C. Council’s budget oversight process kicks off, we look forward to working with all D.C. leaders to address these gaps, build on the positive strides made in this budget, and ensure that every student receives a high-quality, equitable education regardless of the school they attend or the neighborhood in which they live.”
Key highlights of the proposed FY 2025 education budget include:
- An increase to the foundation level of per-student funding: This investment of $14,668 per student provides critical funding for all public schools.
- 3.1% increase to the facilities allotment in FY 2025: Supports safe and well-maintained buildings for public charter schools, which do not have access to capital dollars.
- Enhanced At-Risk Weight Funding: Addresses equity head-on through increased support for students designated as “at-risk.”
- Improving Supports for Student Attendance: Provides additional student-first investments, such as:
- $4.8 million allocation to High-Impact Tutoring, which is proven to boost student attendance and academic success.
- $375,000 in “nudge” technology to target text and mail communication to families of students who are chronically absent or truant.
- $9.7 million investment in safe passage to support students going to and from school and home.
- $7 million to increase capacity to serve 500 additional youth through the Department of Human Services Parent and Adolescent Support Services (PASS) program and 180 youth through Alternatives to the Court Experience (ACE) Diversion program.
- Investments in Secondary College and Career Pathways: These efforts will provide students with greater access to college-level courses and career pathways, bridging the gap between high school and higher education.
- $668,000 along with capital funding, to establish the Office of Education through Employment Pathways, which will provide key insights into education and workforce outcomes.
- Significant investments to expand dual enrollment opportunities, including $17 million to expand the Advanced Technical Center at Penn Center; $600,000 to support the opening of a new Advanced Technical Center at the Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center in Ward 8; and $5 million to Reimagine High School, support the Advanced Technical Center in Ward 5, Career Ready Internship, Advanced Technical Internship, and dual enrollment seats.
- $1.1 million for the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) to bolster student success and outcomes, along with other key investments.
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About Education Reform Now D.C.
ERN D.C. is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank and advocacy organization fighting for a just and equitable public education system for all students in Washington, D.C. We seek progress in D.C. Public Schools and public charter schools by developing and advocating for systemic change to eliminate racial inequity and discrimination.