C4DC Statement on DCPS Reopening: October 27, 2020

We cannot support the DCPS reopening plan for Term 2. We believe supports to students should be expanded but the re-opening at this level has to be postponed until Term 3 at the earliest and until there is sufficient time for meaningful community input and planning.

Treating all schools the same without regard to school size does not necessarily serve the most vulnerable elementary students in higher concentrations at some schools. It introduces instability to all students while reducing staffing to students learning virtually. This includes those vulnerable students who choose to continue learning from home. It will severely impact the ability of secondary schools to serve all of their students including those with the most challenges.

Our community conversations have made clear that parents, teachers, school-level staff, and community members have not been engaged in the development of this plan. We are not assured that this plan appropriately mitigates safety risks and enhances education equity. In addition there will be two holiday breaks in term 2 increasing the likelihood of more COVID-19 cases for everyone.

Staying home remains the safest way to prevent contracting COVID-19. It is incumbent upon DCPS to pause the current timeline and work with families and teachers immediately on a plan that school communities are confident mitigate the risk of in-person learning. We share insight here on how a re-opening plan must work based on input we have received from stakeholders across the city.

Read the full Final statement

Strengthening DC’s Public Schools In COVID-19: May 2020

COVID-19 has highlighted the value that public schools bring to our communities--as places of learning, centers of relationship building, and safety nets. Even in the face of the mayor providing a 3% increase in the UPSFF for FY21, the effect of COVID-19 in our city and schools means that projected municipal revenue losses will be severe when our school needs them the most. This crisis has a had a profound impact on students of color, students who are economically disadvantaged, and students with disabilities. The Coalition for DC Public Schools and Communities (C4DC) believes that we must rise immediately to the challenge of reducing structural inequities in our schools, allowing us both to address deep needs while being wise in our use of public funds.

  • Recognize that DCPS schools of right are key to the reopening of schools, enabling the recovery of our economy.

  • Provide immediate support for distance learning and safe and healthy school environments when students return to school.

  • Stop the creation of new schools and expansions in neighborhoods with vulnerable feeder patterns. 

  • Address structural inequities that disadvantage DCPS.

Read the full statement