FY22 Budget
Dear Neighbor,
I’ve been inspired by the students I’ve gotten to know during my second month on the DC State Board of Education. I highly recommend watching the recording of this forum convened and moderated by students on February 16th.
Students in DC are strong, they are resilient, they are creative, and many of them are suffering.
Pulling from experiences and perspectives I’ve been hearing directly from students, here are some of the questions that are top of mind for me as I advocate for proper investments in DCPS’ FY22 budget. I’d appreciate your feedback if you’re willing to write back or schedule a time with me to talk.
What are the best ways to address mental health and socio-emotional challenges that students are facing during this exceptionally isolating time?
How can we improve in-person, virtual, and hybrid education in term 3?
What changes ought to be made for term 4/the fall?
What investments should be made to provide students with education opportunities this summer?
UPDATE ON FOXHALL AND MACARTHUR: The city has funding to add two new schools to alleviate crowding in the Wilson feeder pattern: Foxhall and MacArthur (formerly Georgetown Day School’s lower campus). This is an exciting opportunity to alleviate overcrowding. I’m joining DCPS’ Foxhall and MacArthur community working group, which had its first meeting on February 11th. Proposed options for Foxhall (1550 Foxhall Road NW) include building a new neighborhood elementary school or using Foxhall as the upper elementary location for Key and Stoddert. Proposed options for MacArthur (4530 Mac Arthur Boulevard NW) include building a new neighborhood middle school or moving Hardy to the MacArthur site and using the current Hardy building as a new high school. I spoke on WDVM about the importance of including more Ward 2 voices in this decision-making process. These decisions affect us directly. To pose your questions or share your recommendations, please e-mail DCPS.Planning@k12.dc.gov.
UPDATE ON PARCC STANDARDIZED TESTING: OSSE is planning to suspend statewide summative assessments for DC students this spring: "given the unique circumstances DC is facing this year, we do not believe our summative assessments would yield the reliable and comparable data needed to inform targeting of resources and supports for students who need it the most." If you have questions, please contact OSSE’s Director of Assessments Danielle Branson at Danielle.Branson@dc.gov or OSSE’s Director of Accountability Donna Johnson at DonnaR.Johnson@dc.gov.
Please do not hesitate to e-mail me with any questions or recommendations.
Allister Chang
Ward 2 Member | DC State Board of Education
https://www.allister4ward2.com/