In citing “successful reforms in staffing,” the editorial probably was invoking the Impact evaluation system as a reason for continuing mayoral control of schools. Yet The Post reported that the “D.C. teacher evaluation system has academic benefits, but is racially biased.” The district is also plagued by one of the highest teacher turnover rates in the country. We need a better definition of “successful reforms in staffing.”

And, yes, “since 2007, there have been increases in student achievement across all student groups.” However, these increases are not evenly distributed across all student groups. The Nation’s Report Card shows gains of D.C.’s wealthy students far exceed those of the most vulnerable students. Under mayoral control, achievement gaps — between Black and White students as well as between rich and poor students — have increased. These facts should never be whitewashed in a discussion of student achievement in D.C.

There are many reasons to support changes to the mayoral control of our public schools. Mayoral control hasn’t been the panacea the editorial made it seem.

To read article in the Washington Post, please click here.