“Severely behind in reading”

Dear Neighbor, 

Too many DC students are not equipped with basic literacy. New studies show that about a third of children in the youngest grades are severely behind in reading, up significantly from before the pandemic.

I'd like your help.

Please write Mayor Bowser asking her to support literacy investments as put forward in Councilmember Pinto's budget letter. States like Mississippi and Alabama have seen massive returns on similar literacy investments that I'm working on adapting to DC.

Please consider signing up to testify at the DC State Board of Education's (DCSBOE) next public meeting on Wednesday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. Your testimony will help me advocate for Ward 2 families.

Please join me on March 23 at the opening panel of OSSE's Literacy Convening, where I'll be presenting the DCSBOE's literacy work. I'm looking forward to learning from literacy leaders like Superintendent Grant and DC Teacher of the Year Dominique Foster.

It's been great to see neighbors at recent community meetings, including with ANC2C and the Foggy Bottom Association, as well as at Seaton Elementary, which was redistricted to Ward 2. Several Seaton parents told me how grateful they've been for the school's investments in social workers and counselors. These behavioral health investments make sense to me. Do you know a behavioral health expert with whom you can introduce me? I'd like to learn more about how to advance policies to support behavioral health in DC schools. 

Thank you for your support,

Allister