DC Public Education Fund

?? See the DC Reading Clinic in action! ??? The DC Reading Clinic (DCRC) is revolutionizing reading instruction in DCPS. By equipping teachers with hands-on, research-based training, DCRC ensures that students master foundational reading skills, gain confidence, and thrive in the classroom. ?? The impact is real: ? Students taught by DCRC-trained teachers are advancing reading levels. ? Improved attendance and engagement. ? Teachers feel more prepared than ever to support struggling readers. ?? See the impact for yourself. #NationalReadingMonth #DCReadingClinic #ReadingMatters #LiteracyForAll #EducationEquity

??? March is National Reading Month, and there's no better time to celebrate the power of literacy and the educators who make it possible! At the DC Reading Clinic (DCRC), we’re transforming reading instruction in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) by equipping teachers with evidence-based strategies to support struggling readers. Since 2018, DCRC has partnered with over 500 educators, helping students make real, measurable gains in reading—especially those most at risk. ?? A DCPS teacher shared: "The DC Reading Clinic has been the most supportive, intentional support I have EVER received to improve my practice as a teacher." The results speak for themselves: ?? Students in DCRC classrooms make significant progress each year. ?? Fewer students are reading below benchmark levels. ?? DCRC-trained teachers are closing the literacy gap and opening doors of opportunity. When we invest in high-quality teacher training, we ensure every child has the chance to become a confident reader. Join us in celebrating National Reading Month and help empower every student to succeed. #NationalReadingMonth #ReadingMatters #DCReadingClinic #LiteracyForAll #EducationEquity

?? D.C. Helps Lead the Way in High-Impact Tutoring for Student Success! ?? We’re excited to see that D.C. has ranked #1 in the nation for gains in math and reading from 2022 to 2024! ?? This success is a result of the collaborative efforts of District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), local schools, and community partners, all working together to provide targeted tutoring to students who need it most. Key Takeaways: ? Pandemic-relief funds and private investments have enabled effective tutoring programs. ?? Personalized, high-impact tutoring is improving both student confidence and attendance. ?? Research-based strategies are directly contributing to improved academic outcomes in math and reading. At DC Ed Fund, we are proud to haved supported these innovative models in 2024 that not only provided academic support but also fostered trusted adult relationships for students, ensuring their engagement and success. While we’re seeing tremendous progress, we know there’s still more work to do. Let’s continue pushing for the resources and policies that will give every student the support they need to succeed. Together, we can build a brighter future for DC students! ??? https://lnkd.in/ghuKeyjA #DCEdFund #CityTutorDC #EducationForAll #StudentSuccess #HighImpactTutoring #LearningRecovery

?? DC Leads the Nation in Academic Recovery! ?? The latest #EducationRecoveryScorecard report—Pivoting from Pandemic Recovery to Long-Term Reform—ranks DC #1 in math recovery (2022–2024) and #1 in reading recovery (2022–2024) among all states. This national analysis, led by the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University and the The Educational Opportunity Project (EOP) at Stanford University, evaluates learning loss and recovery across 43 states from 2019–2024. DCPS stands out as a District Bright Spot in literacy recovery, thanks to strategic investments in: ? Teacher training & support ? Tailored literacy curriculum ? High-impact tutoring Three key programs—DC Reading Clinic (DCRC), Readers Next Door, and DCPS Becoming—are specifically cited as critical levers for DCPS’s success. Ed Fund is proud to support these three initiatives: ?? DC Reading Clinic equips educators with research-based literacy instruction, training over 600 teachers and helping thousands of K-2 students master foundational reading skills. ?? Readers Next Door provides decodable books written and illustrated by DCPS educators, celebrating the city’s culture while strengthening phonics, language comprehension, and early literacy skills. ?? Beyond academics, DCPS prioritizes student well-being and belonging through DCPS Becoming—an initiative integrating whole-child practices, trauma-informed training, and ongoing student belonging surveys. ?? Learn more about DCPS’s national recognition: ?? DC Education Recovery Scorecard Summary from EmpowerK12: https://lnkd.in/eswy8QB6 ?? DCPS Post-Pandemic Recovery Report: https://lnkd.in/eQNijjZz #Education #EdRecovery #Literacy #DCPS #EdFund

Exciting news and data wins from our partners at PowerMyLearning, whose math program, including their Family Playlists practice tool, was implemented at 22 DCPS elementary schools in the 2023-24 school year. ? ?? Key Data Wins: -Strong Progress in Early Grades: K-5 students made significant strides in math, +10.22 points in overall improvement. -Closing Gaps and Offering Enrichment: DCPS students who were struggling in math showed the largest gains, and the program saw a 34% increase in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards. -Learning Continues at Home: PowerMyLearning’s Family Playlists empowered families to help K-2 students develop and practice key math skills outside of the classroom. ? “This program has provided opportunities for my students, parents, and me to work together and discover and have fun while learning math.” –DCPS Educator ? DC Public Schools are at the cutting edge of math instruction, bringing together teachers, families, and communities to guarantee student success. Thanks, PowerMyLearning!

Yesterday, Ed Fund co-hosted the Secondary Literacy Summit with Amazon and Coaction Collective! We gathered leaders, educators, researchers, and funders from across the DMV area to tackle the pressing challenges in secondary literacy. As the recent NAEP data highlighted, with only 29% of 8th graders reading at a proficient or advanced level, the urgency is clear. One of the key moments from the Summit came when Dr. Simone Gibson asked, "What does it do to the psyche of an 8th grader who isn’t able to read? What does it do to the psyche of that 8th grader’s teacher?" This question underscores the critical need for a “standard of care” in secondary literacy. We must equip secondary literacy teachers with the tools and skills grounded in the science of reading. There are a number of challenges with implementing this essential work, including teacher training, balancing grade-level content while addressing unfinished learning, and the need for one-on-one support. Innovation is key, but so is learning from what’s already working. A special shout-out to the DC Reading Clinic, for beginning the innovation here at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) by expanding their teacher training model to several middle schools in DC. The success of programs like DCRC and the expansion of their secondary footprint is showing incredible results and is a model for what can be achieved when we invest in literacy. The work isn’t easy, but our students’ futures are on the line. Let’s continue collaborating, innovating, and pushing for the resources and support our educators need. #LiteracyMatters #SecondaryLiteracy #ReadingForAll #FutureOfEducation #SecondaryLitSummit #EducationMatters

Just as we ask of our teachers and school leaders, we’re taking a thoughtful approach to analyzing this #NAEP data—identifying trends, celebrating progress, addressing gaps, and charting a path forward. DC has made incredible strides over the last decade, and the DC Ed Fund is proud to support that progress. But we know there’s more work to do—especially in closing opportunity gaps between student groups. This work doesn't happen overnight but we are urgently working to bring in additional resources to fund what work is already showing promise in the last two years. Let’s keep moving forward together. Will you join us in advancing this work? #EducationalEquity #DCEducation #DCPS #NAEP

? A heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors who made this year’s Standing Ovation for DC Public Schools possible! Your support helps us celebrate and uplift the incredible educators, leaders, and staff who make DCPS schools thrive. A special shoutout to Pepco Exelon, our Dean Sponsor, for their continued commitment to honoring the educators who shape our students' futures. Your partnership ensures that this celebration remains a cherished tradition in our community. ?? To all our sponsors, your generosity helps us spotlight the dedication and passion of DC’s educators. CityBridge Foubndation Amazon Flamboyan Foundation Mark Ein SodexoMagic Arnold & Porter Equitable Advisors Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Kevin Downey MedStar Health Thomas Penny III Premium Title & Escrow, LLC CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Debbi Jarvis Amplify Uber Together, we’re building a brighter future for DCPS students and showing the world how much we value our teachers and school staff. ?? #StandingOvationDC #ThankYouSponsors #DCPS #EducationMatters

? A huge thank you to Lorenzo Hall for hosting Standing Ovation and the team at WUSA-TV for highlighting the incredible educators at the heart of DC Public Schools through their feature on the awards! ?? For 15 years, Standing Ovation has been celebrating the dedication, passion, and impact of DCPS teachers, leaders, and school staff who go above and beyond for their students every day. This year, as we commemorate the 15th anniversary of this event, we’re reminded of how vital it is to recognize and uplift the work of educators who shape the future of our community. We’re so grateful to Lorenzo and WUSA9 for shining a spotlight on this special event and helping us share these inspiring stories with a wider audience. Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ey6i-fJD Let’s continue to celebrate and support the educators who make a difference every day! ????? #StandingOvationDC #ThankATeacher #DCPS #EducationMatters

Congratulations to H.D. Woodson High School on receiving the M. Shanita Burney Family Engagement Award! With our DC Public Education Fund partner, Flamboyan is honored to sponsor the award, which celebrates Shanita's more than twenty-year legacy of championing family engagement through her work serving the district.