At the Ward 4 Education Town Hall, Mayor Fenty, Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, Chancellor Michelle Rhee and State Superintendent Deborah Gist enlisted the help of over 150 parents, students, teachers, administrators, and community members to build a successful school year and support student academic achievement in the DC Public Schools (DCPS).
 
Ward 4 Town Hall participants discussed three questions:

The most important Ward 4 education issues are motivated teachers, increased parental involvement, and providing a productive learning environment.

Participants think that the best way to improve teaching is to offer a variety of services to teachers including professional development and providing teachers with a better understanding of the students’ home life.  Ward 4 wants to see an increase in high quality, motivated, and dedicated teachers in every school of Ward 4.

 

Ward 4 wants to see parents more involved in the schools. They want an increased number of parent centers and more information about being a good parent.  Parents want to be taught the importance of their role in their child’s life.

 

Participants think that making students feel cared for, improving the curriculum, and most importantly providing the resources students need to achieve will create a more productive learning environment. There was also a desire for to revise truancy and discipline policies.  Overall, Ward 4 is committed to making the learning environment a place where students want to be.

 

Participants also want an increased number of mentoring and tutoring programs for students; a stronger partnership between the community, private industry, and the schools; and an assurance that resources are available for the

schools, teachers, and students.

The most critical issues for this school year are speedy and efficient facilities repairs, resources available for the start of school, and raised expectations for students.

Facilities repairs were seen as the most urgent in Ward 4.  Participants want to ensure that the students in Ward 4 are learning in clean and safe facilities. There was a strong desire for quick and efficient repairs to be handled by competent and experienced contractors.

Ward 4 residents stressed the importance for students to have the resources they need to achieve.  This includes everything from textbooks to technology. One participant noted the importance of using resources together so that students are exposed to a variety of media.  Ward 4 wants students to have greater access to technology.

Ward 4 wants qualified staff: "We want people who are dedicated to our schools and our children."

Finally, participants want the administration to raise its expectations of students and to remove the achievement gap.  Ward 4 thinks that higher expectations will lead to higher achievement overall. 

Other important issues were increased parental involvement, increased attention to reforming special education, and improvements in leadership.

Dialogue 3: What is our most pressing question for Chancellor Rhee?
Among the numerous questions, this one stands out: What would you like your legacy to be?

Chancellor’s Response: "Accountability for schools that have been failing schools for decades.  We are too comfortable with children.  That must stop.  Failing children means damaging their life chances.  I want to be remembered for clarity, focus, and accountability."