FY21 Oversight Testimony: Education Agencies
Children’s Law Center Policy Director Sharra E. Greer testified before the DC Council’s Committee of the Whole regarding the performance of DC’s various education agencies over this past year. While we commend DC’s education agencies for their adaptability in, for example, providing every DC student with a digital device and internet access, it is critical that the Council and District’s education leaders develop responsive learning loss plans that will bring all DC kids back up to competency. It is also important to recognize that DC’s most vulnerable children — including Black and Brown students, students with disabilities, foster kids and English Language Learners — who were already behind academically before the pandemic have experienced the most significant learning loss, and it is imperative that they are provided with compensatory education and other supports. We also urge the Council and DC’s education agencies to ensure that students have the behavioral health supports and positive school climate necessary to feel safe, supported and ready to engage in their studies.
Read her testimony here: