Launch of C4DC with Six Principles

Education Activists from Across the City Endorse Principles

for the Future of Public Education in DC

September 30, 2014                           Contacts:   Evelyn Boyd Simmons at 202-251-9415

       Josh Louria at 202-330-1453

 Washington, DC – Over 40 education activists from across DC are urging city leaders to adopt six principles to ensure an excellent public education system that equitably and effectively serves all of our families and communities.

Website is available at http://www.dceducationelection.org/ or here, citizens are invited to sign on and comment.

The diverse group includes representatives of Ward Education Councils, PTAs, LSATs, alumni associations and education advocacy organizations as well as supporters of each of the major candidates for Mayor.

“At the heart of the principles lays a call for a commitment to successful matter-of right schools in every neighborhood, recognizing that for schools to succeed in neighborhoods where our children face the greatest challenges, we must provide the services necessary to give our children a chance” said Pedro Rubio, Ward 4 Education Council founding member.

The principles also address a growing debate regarding the absence of coordinated planning between DCPS and the charter sector. Jim Moore, a Ward 1 activist and Charter School Board Member, explains that “it is long past the time to move to coordinated planning between the sectors. Educating our children is one of the most important things we do as a city, and we devote 1 in 5 of our tax dollars to the effort. If, as many claim and some believe, we want both sectors to thrive we need to be intentional about it.” 

Organizers are asking candidates for elected office, including the mayor and council, to comment on the principles as part of a necessary civic education component.

Says Chris Sondreal, a parent leader at Francis-Stevens, and on the Ward 2 Education Network: “Voters deserve to hear where the candidates stand on critical education issues that will play a central role in the shape of our city in the coming decade. How we address education and how effective we are in doing so will determine if we remain a city that welcomes and nurtures families and communities. The stakes are high and the debate should be vigorous.” 

Contacts below also available as well as any of the signers:

Chris Sondreal – 202-213-6310

Jim Moore – 202-255-7723.

Beth Bacon – 202-297-4406

Pedro Rubio – 202-386-0194

Sharona Robinson  -- 202-290-5798

Eboni Rose Thompson-202-460-3498