Truancy
When last year’s DC Report Card was published, the figures concerning truancy and chronic absenteeism were stunning.
According to the report, 52.5% of our Pre-K students were chronically absent (10 or more days)
The secondary school figures are even more depressing. Some of our high schools are reported to have over 60% of our students chronically absent.
Our education leaders need to recognize this problem and be held accountable to solve it.
Nurses in Schools
In the past two years, we have had many students and parents, plus school workers, provide telling testimony concerning the lack of school nurses in our buildings. Some schools have a full-time nurse while others are serviced by a cohort of nurses or other medical personnel. Not having a certified nurse in every building is unsafe and illegal. Illnesses, injuries, and emergencies such as allergic reactions or seizures cannot be addressed if there is no professional in the building.
We are currently working on a resolution to send to the Council to rectify this problem.
Mentorship and Teacher Retention
When I first started teaching, I was surrounded by veteran teachers who helped me learn how to teach. Over the past five years, we have been losing 20% of our teacher workforce. Some of this is due to promotion, moving from one school system to another, or for other reasons. Most of the new teachers who leave before they have five years under their belt leave because they have not been mentored correctly or at al and the system does not provide caring professional development that would allow them to grow in their craft. As chair of the Educator Excellence Committee, I am committed to helping my fellow teachers grow in their profession by giving them all the support that they deserve.
Teachers Contract
There is no reason for our teachers to have to work without a reasonable contract. Our teachers have been working since October 1, 2023, without a contract. The so-called negotiations with DCPS have not been fruitful. Unlike previous contract negotiations, this time it is about teacher well-being rather than salaries. We have already unanimously agreed on a resolution in support of the teachers and sent it to the Council and will continue to advocate for their needs.