District of Columbia

The largest percentage of students attending charters in the nation and a hugely popular - albeit small - scholarship program for children puts more power in the hands of parents in Washington, DC. Lots of access to good information and the ability to pick a Mayor who governs the education system are plusses too. There isn’t much to be said about digital learning though there recently has been a push to bring blended learning to Washington. A new teacher evaluation effort is positive, but has not been codified in law. It therefore depends on the whims of people in power, making the teacher quality index less than average in the Nation’s Capital.

The District of Columbia‘s Opportunity Scholarship Program permits up to 2,000 students, dependent on the appropriations, to attend the private or public school of their choice. Scholarships are equivalent to up to $12,205 for high school and up to $8,100 for elementary and middle school. The program is authorized through 2016 by Congress.

SOURCE: The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice

DC has the strongest charter school law in the country largely due to their strong, independent authorizer, the DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB). The DCPCSB holds charters to stringent performance targets and accountability metrics, which it is able to do because of its autonomy. Charter school funding is nearly identical to funding for district schools. Charters also receive per-pupil facilities funding, making it easier for them to find suitable locations.

SOURCE: The Essential Guide to Charter School Law 2013 National Ranking and Scorecard

Online learning has yet to fully take off in the District but a combination of online and face-to-face instruction, also called blended learning, is becoming a popular option provided by charter schools.

SOURCE: Digital Learning Now!

The city has developed the IMPACT system to evaluate its teachers annually using a four-tier rating, and student growth and achievement make up to 35 percent of evaluations. Ineffective teachers can be dismissed after one year, and there are no protections for permanent teachers, basically eliminating tenure.

The collective bargaining agreement allows for a performance pay system that rewards teachers on performance, although some automatic raises for degrees and other factors still occur.

SOURCE: National Council on Teacher Quality

Finding information about school performance in the nation’s capital is very easy. DC Public Schools has a very parent-friendly site that allows parents to compare up to four schools. The DCPS website, however, has no information about the scholarship program or charter school options. Since the schools are under mayoral control, and that position is elected every four years, parents know what they are getting for their vote.