D.C. Public Education Fund
Project Title
For the launch of DCPS Becoming, a district-wide approach to supporting the whole child
Date
Mar. 04, 2021
Duration
12 months
Description
Building on over a decade of human capital reform and school improvement efforts, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is poised to launch its most ambitious initiative, DCPS Becoming, with the goal of transforming schools into supportive environments that prepare students for lifelong success. Although prior efforts have produced improvements in student achievement, DCPS has identified an urgent need to address students’ trauma and support their socio-emotional well-being to set them up for long-term success. The pandemic and ongoing crisis of racial injustice add to the urgency of building a more equitable system that supports students’ mental health and resiliency. This project advances the Corporation’s other investments in DC schools, as well as its interest in building the capacity of districts to transform school systems and schools to deliver socio-emotional learning. With Corporation support, DCPS will launch the Becoming initiative by raising awareness in the community, equipping current and future educators with expertise in human development, and developing plans for school-based mental health clinics.
Website
Project Title
For developing a model for school funding in the District of Columbia Public Schools
Date
Mar. 05, 2020
Duration
9 months
Description
The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has the opportunity to build on over a decade of reform efforts under the leadership of a newly appointed Chancellor, Dr. Lewis Ferebee, and a strategic plan focused on excellence and equity for every child. While previous efforts related to curriculum and professional development have generated progress in student outcomes, opportunity gaps persist. Dr. Ferebee has identified school resourcing, namely the allocation of funds, staff, and time across and within schools, as a key area for potential transformation. With previous Corporation support, Dr. Ferebee worked with expert partner and current Corporation grantee, Education Resource Strategies (ERS), to conduct an analysis of current practices and explore student-based budgeting as a way to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. Support to this project advances the Corporation’s other investments in DC schools and interest in building the capacity of districts to transform school systems. With Corporation support to its fiscal sponsor D.C. Public Education Fund, DCPS will continue to partner with ERS to develop and prepare for the implementation of a new model for school funding centered on equity, transparency, and flexibility.
Website
Project Title
For developing a strategic plan for resource allocation in the District of Columbia Public Schools
Date
Sep. 12, 2019
Duration
9 months
Description
The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) has the opportunity to build on over a decade of reform efforts under the leadership of a newly appointed Chancellor, Dr. Lewis Ferebee, and a five-year strategic plan focused on excellence and equity for every child. While previous efforts related to curriculum and professional development have generated progress in student outcomes, opportunity gaps persist. Dr. Ferebee has identified school resourcing, namely the allocation of funds, staff, and time across and within schools, as a key area for potential transformation. Dr. Ferebee plans to engage expert partner and current Corporation grantee, Education Resource Strategies (ERS), to examine current practices and explore student-based budgeting as a way to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. Support to this project advances the Corporation’s other investments in DC schools and interest in building the capacity of districts to improve and transform school systems. With Corporation support to its fiscal sponsor D.C. Public Education Fund, DCPS will partner with ERS to examine current system-level resource use, identify factors causing differences in school resource levels, and establish the groundwork for short- and long-term steps toward transforming resource allocation and opportunities for students.
Website
Project Title
For a convening for Education Leaders of Color
Date
Jun. 09, 2016
Duration
4 months
Description
A new organization in the education reform landscape, Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) was founded in 2014 by prominent Black and Latino leaders of color with the purposes of convening leaders of color to address the challenges of education reform. Through providing a network of support, connecting back to communities of color, and working to expand the definition of school success while mitigating the vitriol surrounding reform efforts, EdLoC aims to dramatically increase the number of Black and Latino leaders in high-level decision-making, organizational, and thought leadership roles and become the “standard-bearers” for education reform in low-income communities. This grant supports EdLoC’s second annual national convening, bringing leaders of color together to increase the size of EdLoC’s network and expand the uptake of its values to new communities and leaders.
Website
Project Title
For support of a STEM educator development strategy in D.C. Public Schools
Date
Jun. 06, 2013
Duration
36 months
Website
Project Title
For capacity building in the D.C. Public Schools' Office of Data and Accountability that will further the district's reform agenda
Date
Jun. 11, 2009
Duration
37 months