Thursday, March 10, 2022
3:30 – 4:30PM
About the event
The D.C. Policy Center launched its State of D.C. Schools, 2020-21 report on March 10, 2022 from 3:30-4:30pm.
This year’s report examines how students, families, and schools navigated virtual learning during school year 2020-21, the first full academic year when schools operated under pandemic conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative data show that the 2020-21 school year was a year of uncertainty for school communities. The report also reviews early signs of challenges related to virtual learning and finds that these manifested differently across different ages: fewer students enrolled in pre-kindergarten grades, fewer alumni began post-secondary after high school graduation, and most elementary and middle school students experienced unfinished learning. A year of school during the pandemic also led to disproportionate impacts for some student groups.
The launch event for the report opened with remarks from a high school student followed by a panel discussion and an audience Q&A. The discussion explored the different challenges that students, teachers, and families experienced over the last year. Importantly, it focused on a look forward and how education leaders, schools, parents, and students think about recovery.
Program
Download a PDF event program with speaker bios and more here.
Welcome
Yesim Sayin Taylor, Executive Director at the D.C. Policy Center
Opening remarks
Skye-Ali Johnson, Student Representative to the DC SBOE
Presentation of findings
Chelsea Coffin, Director of the Education Policy Initiative at the D.C. Policy Center
Panel discussion
- Denise Forte, Interim CEO at The Education Trust (moderator)
- Paul Kihn, Deputy Mayor for Education
- Mary Ann Stinson, Instructional Superintendent at DCPS
- Pat Brantley, CEO of Friendship Public Charter Schools
- Shani Arowolaju, PAVE Parent Policy Captain