Christopher J. Charles
Civic Leader
Education Reform Now Advocacy D.C.
SBOE Public Meeting
Good evening State Board of Education members,
My name is Christopher J. Charles, and I live in Ward 7. I’m here both as a community member and as a civic leader for Education Reform Now D.C., an organization advocating for a just and equitable public education system for all D.C. students.
I have worked with young people at a youth center in the public health discipline during the height of COVID-19. I have developed and led programming, providing our young people with experiences and confidence to thrive in the workforce. By offering youth experiences in fields like public health, it assists in educating the students and their peers. I am currently working at the Department of Health on the Health Equity Team. Today, I’m here to discuss the urgent need to address critical issues in mathematics education and dual enrollment opportunities.
Firstly, I’d like to commend the D.C. State Board of Education for their efforts in improving the education system here in the District. From my experience as a community leader, I’ve seen how these initiatives have positively impacted our students, providing them with essential skills and resources. However, it’s important to acknowledge that there are still challenges that need to be addressed.
Here’s what we’re dealing with:
- Right now, only about 53% of D.C. students go to college after high school. Out of all the kids who start high school together, only 18% finish a college degree within six years after graduating high school.[1]
- Mathematics proficiency remains a significant challenge, with 78% of students not meeting or exceeding math expectations.[2]
Looking ahead to the next school year, it’s imperative that we take proactive steps to address these ongoing challenges. That’s why we’re asking the D.C. State Board of Education to prioritize the following initiatives:
Statewide Strategy for Supporting Students with Mathematics:
Currently, there is no funding in the Mayor’s proposed FY 2025 Budget and Financial Plan for a statewide strategy for supporting all students with math. The District should create a taskforce (cost $300K) comprised of local and national experts to recommend the following:
- Daily math instruction with high-quality content and instructional materials
- Support for teachers
- Assessments and parent notification
- Interventions
- Resources for families and caregivers to support math instruction at home (or learn math themselves).
Strengthening Dual Enrollment Opportunities:
The Mayor’s proposed FY2025 Budget and Financial Plan contains many worthwhile and important investments in dual enrollment. We would like to see these investments strengthened by ensuring the following:
- Building dual enrollment opportunities into the students’ school day to enhance accessibility.
- Tracking student outcomes to ensure the effectiveness of these programs.
- Increasing awareness among students and families about the benefits of dual enrollment.
- Providing incentives for employers to hire students in high-wage, high-demand careers.
We must act now because the consequences of inaction are dire, impacting the academic success and well-being of our students. That’s why I’m urging the D.C. State Board of Education to prioritize these critical initiatives for the 2024-25 school year.
Supporting these efforts is key to ensuring equitable access to education and promoting the holistic development of all students. Thank you for considering these important issues. I’m ready to provide any more details or help needed.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Charles
[1]“New data showed that for the 9th grade cohort of 2011-12 (with a four-year high school graduation in school year 2014-15), 18 out of every 100 students completed a postsecondary degree within 6 years (by the spring of 2022).” DC Policy Center. “State of D.C. Schools, 2022-23: Challenges to pandemic recovery in a new normal.” Source: https://www.dcpolicycenter.org/publications/state-of-dc-schools-2022-23/
[2]School year 2022-23 PARCC Assessment Results Source: https://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/page_content/attachments/Assessment%202023%20Deck_.08.24_0.pdf