A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools: From Impressions to Evidence (2011)
Chapter: Appendix A Public Community Forum Agenda and Summary
Public Community Forum Agenda and Summary
Keck 100
500 Fifth Street NW, Washington, DC
Committee to Conduct an Independent Evaluation of DC Public Schools
Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
National Research Council
AGENDA
| Sunday May 23, 2010 | |
| 9:00 |
Welcome and Introductions, Committee Cochairs
Christopher Edley, Dean, Berkeley School of Law, University of California Robert Hauser, Vilas Research Professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison |
|
9:05-9:45 (40 min) |
Principals/School Administrators Carolyn Cobbs, Principal, Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School Dwan Jordon, Principal, Sousa Middle School |
|
9:50-10:30 (40 min) |
Teachers Erich Martel, Social Studies, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School; Executive Board, Washington Teachers’ Union Marni Baron, Chairperson, Washington Teachers’ Union, IMPACT Evaluation Task Force Tynika Young, Academy Coordinator, Rising Academy, Ballou Senior High School |
|
10:35-11:15 (40 min) |
Charters Jennifer Niles, Founder and Head of School, E.L. Haynes Charter Darren Woodruff, DC Public Charter Schools Board Naomi Rubin DeVeaux, Director, School Quality, Friends of Choice in Urban Schools |
|
11:20-12:00 (40 min) |
Special Education Providers Rick Henning, Rock Creek Academy Lauren Onkeles, Children’s Law Center |
|
12:00-12:30 |
Break for lunch (on your own) |
|
12:30-1:10 (40 min) |
Other Education Providers for Children and Youth Ellen London, Interim President and CEO, DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation Lucretia Murphy, Executive Director, See Forever Foundation/Maya Angelou Schools |
|
1:15-2:10 (55 min) |
Colleges/Universities and Job Training Jeffrey Barton, Center Director, Potomac Job Corps Center Sarah Irvine Belson, American University School of Education John Parham, Director, School Programs, College Success Foundation-District of Columbia Allen Sessoms, University of the District of Columbia |
|
2:15-3:00 (45 min) |
Students Shanell Brown, Anacostia High School Sakinah Muhammad, Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy, Capitol Hill Campus Nicoisa Young, graduate of Cesar Chavez Public Charter School Darius Duvall, 2009 graduate of Booker T. Washington Public Charter School |
|
3:20-4:05 (45 min) |
Parents Cathy Reilly, Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals and Educators Iris Toyer, Parents United for DC Public Schools Gwendolyn Griffin, President, DC Congress of PTAs Tijwanna Phillips, parent of a student at Janney, one at McKinley, and one graduate of McKinley Danitra Dorsey-Daniels, PTA President, Ballou High School |
|
4:10-5:00 (50 min) |
Other Community Representatives Margaret Singleton, Vice President and Executive Director, DC Chamber of Commerce Foundation Erika Landberg, Program Director, DC Voice John Hill, Chief Executive Officer, Federal City Council |
SUMMARY OF PUBLIC COMMUNITY FORUM
On Sunday, May 23, 2010, the Committee to Conduct an Independent Evaluation of DC Public Schools held a day-long public forum. The committee invited various stakeholders within the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and the community to share their experiences and perspectives about DCPS and the evaluation. Members of the public and the press were also invited. The committee heard from nine different panels: (1) principals and school administrators, (2) teachers, (3) charter school representatives, (4) special education providers, (5) education providers for children and youth, (6) colleges/universities and job training, (7) students, (8) parents, and (9) community representatives.
An elementary school and middle school principal discussed measures each principal used to determine whether their schools were successful. Both cited the importance of tracking student achievement, maintaining school decorum, and creating an engaging professional community among staff members as good indicators of success. The teacher panel included a high school teacher, an instructional coach for high schools, and a chairperson for the Washington Teachers’ Union. The panelists discussed the implementation of IMPACT, the new program to evaluate teachers within DCPS, and compared it to the previous teacher evaluation system. The teachers also offered various suggestions for the committee when examining areas of DCPS.
Next the committee heard from representatives of DC charter schools. Panelists included board members of the DC Public Charter School Board, a charter school founder, and a representative from the nonprofit FOCUS. The board members discussed the system they used to monitor and evaluate charters and how they distinguished between the high- and low-performing
charter schools. The panel also listed some of the major operational differences between DCPS and charter schools.
A Children’s Law Center attorney and a private special education school founder shared their experiences with the committee about the status of special education in the District.
The committee also heard from representatives of other education providers for children and youth. Representatives from the DC Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation and the See Forever Foundation discussed the significance of wraparound services and other before and after school programs to support students attending DCPS. The panelists stated that the programs are pivotal in improving student behavior in schools and classrooms.
Representatives of local colleges, universities, and job training programs discussed how DCPS high school graduates compare to high school graduates from across the nation. The committee heard from American University, University of the District of Columbia, Potomac Job Corps Center, and the College Success Foundation-District of Columbia. Next, four charter high school students spoke about their experiences as students. The students discussed the importance of quality teachers, and the role they play in encouraging and engaging students. Suggestions for improving DCPS included teaching with more hands-on activities and offering a broader range of elective courses. Students also cited the need to create alternative training programs in high schools for students who may not want to pursue college immediately after graduation.
The committee also heard from parents who discussed the need to increase community engagement and open more streams of communication to ensure the reform effort is sustainable and successful. Some parents expressed concern about school funding and whether funding is equitable. Lastly, the committee heard from other community organizations such as DC Voice, Federal City Council, and the DC Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The representatives discussed an interest in improving and developing DCPS because students eventually become the pool for the workforce and members of the DC community.
