Washington DC Teachers Release Report to Safely Reopen Schools

Teachers outline ways to protect teacher and student health while improving distance learning

WASHINGTON — Concerned about the lack of teacher input into conversations about how we safely reopen schools in the District of Columbia, the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) released recommendations for how the District can work with teachers to ensure their safety and improve the education of DC students as the city reopens schools for instruction.

“The move to close our schools and move to Distance Learning in the spring was the right choice,” WTU President Elizabeth Davis said. “However, Distance Learning shined new light on the widespread opportunity gaps and the digital divide that plagues our city. As we move to reopen our schools this summer, we must do so in a way that protects the health of our teachers, students and communities while also investing in our technology infrastructure.”

The WTU convened a taskforce of more than 200 teachers to make recommendations that seek to ensure the health of teachers, students and families as the District resumes in-person learning this summer, against the general guidelines outlined in the city’s Reopen DC Committee report that recommends continued Distance Learning through Phase 3 of the reopening.

“We recognize the importance of reopening our schools as the first step in restarting our economy,” Davis continued. “We must do so with our teacher and other front line voices at the center of the conversation to prevent an increase in infections.”

The WTU taskforce also makes recommendations about improvements to Distance Learning, with the understanding that many students will not be able to return to school full-time in the 2020-21 school year due to social distancing requirements. To help improve student participation, the WTU calls for an increased investment of $11 million to ensure all DCPS students receive a computer or tablet in the District’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget.

The WTU report is available in its entirety here.

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DC City Council

Joint Budget (Fiscal Year 2021) Oversight Hearing:

Committee on Education & Committee of the Whole

June 4, 2020

Testimony of Elizabeth A. Davis, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

The novel coronavirus and the subsequent school closures have made clear that schools play an outsized role in our community — they are so much more than places to learn. Schools provide vital nutrition, physical safety, mental health and critical developmental supports to tens of thousands of students across the District every day.

Rodney King, Malice Wayne Green, Abner Louima, Amadou Diallo, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor.

George Floyd.

These names are a call to action. They remind us that – as W.E.B. DuBois said “A system cannot fail those it was never meant to protect.” It is time that we embrace change and move beyond simple rhetoric.

I am a teacher. I believe our students are only limited by the opportunities that we provide them. Our school systems should be the great equalizer. Our schools must be a place where students can come and learn, a place where they can rise up and achieve. Unfortunately, here in the District of Columbia, we have a two-tiered system of education. And the inequities and the gaps are continuing to grow. Today, I call on you to make the changes needed to ensure every student – regardless of their zip code or luck in the lottery – receives a high-quality, well-rounded education.

You can read President Davis' full statement here.

DC City Council, Committee on Labor & Workforce Development

Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Oversight Hearing

Testimony of Elizabeth A. Davis, President

Washington Teachers’ Union

AFT Local 6

The reopening of our school doors will serve as a symbol of our city’s recovery. How we invest in our school system and its employees in the upcoming school year will serve as a symbol of our city’s values.

The novel coronavirus and the subsequent school closures have made clear that schools play an outsized role in our community — they are so much more than places to learn. Schools provide vital nutrition, physical safety, mental health and critical developmental supports to tens of thousands of students across the District every day. They also play a key role in supporting members of the city’s workforce as a place where their children can thrive while adults are at work. Our teachers are front line employees, required to show up each day despite risks to their health and the health of their families. Teachers will be critical to our city’s economic recovery.

-- Read More -- You can download and read our full statement here.

WTU Teacher Leaders are full-time educators who have been selected to join a nationwide network through the American Federation of Teachers. They are taking an active role in influencing policy in a number of areas, including teacher leadership in school change, teacher retention, professional development, the critical role of librarians, and the impact of student discipline issues and overall policy changes that will ultimately help improve educational outcomes for all DCPS students.

We invite you to read their final research reports.

Davaun A. Barnett, Sr, Leckie ES

How Can Building Authentic Consensus Improve Policy Implementation? 

Clare Berke, Banneker HS

Not Too Cold and Not Too Close: Social-Emotional Learning for the Highest Performing Students in D.C. Public Schools.

Rhonda R. Crittendon, Houston ES

Is the public-school system effectively servicing special needs students academically? Can the implementation of “Inclusion” create a learning environment of efficacy in the classroom?

Kristian Ellingsen, Columbia Heights EC

What Got You Over the Hump? A Study of Major Factors Relating to Teacher Retention in Public Schools.

Nijma Esad, Hart MS

School Librarians: An Essential Partner in the Push to Increase Reading Proficiency on Standardized Tests.

Ashley Kearney, Ron Brown HS

When Passing the Buck Stops: Investigation of the Role of LEAP on Influencing the Instructional Practice of Secondary Math Teachers in the District of Columbia.

Maria McLemore, Cardozo EC

Ride at your own risk: Is public transportation a means of last resort for students commuting to school?

Lindsey R. Nelson, King ES

TEACH FRESH-A SUB's WAY: The "Footlong" Substitute Teacher Shortage.

Valerie Ridley, Anne Beers ES

Silent Killer: How Does the Uneven Application of Consequences for Unacceptable Behavior Affect Classroom Climate?

Shanice Smith, Barnard ES

Newsflash! Stick to the Script: How does the scripted curriculum affect student achievement in Title One schools versus students in non-Title One schools?

Donald E. Thompson, Jr, Anacostia HS

Teacher Perspectives: Impact of Alternative Suspension Policies on Teacher Safety.

Keisha Warner, Barnard ES

Declining IMPACT Ratings: Seek WTU Support or Accept Management Decisions.

We'd like to congratulate our Middle & High School Winnings!

Thanks to our partners atfor their support!

We'd like to congratulate our Elementary School Winners!

1st Place	Isaiah Walker, Watkins ES
2nd Place	Margot Mulgrew-Whyte, Bancroft ES
2nd Place	Maiara Guilmard, Tubman ES
2nd Place	Felix Mulville, Horace Mann ES
3rd Place	Maya Vogt, School Within A School @Golding
3rd Place	Zipporah (Zippy) Steiner, Lafayette ES
3rd Place	Phoenix Gueory, Watkins ES
3rd Place	Zabrin Nawal Zaihan, Marie Reed ES
3rd Place	Hans Spitzer, Key ES
3rd Place	Owen Perez, John Eaton ES
3rd Place	Nathaniel Clauss, Key ES

Thanks to our partners atfor their support!

Your Voice is Needed NOW!

Help us ensure our schools receive the funding they need for next school year.

We understand that making budget choices in a pandemic economy is challenging, but city leaders should look to the Great Recession as a cautionary tale for what can happen if we reverse investments in our schools. Nationally, less funding led to worse academic outcomes and massive layoffs of school staff, consequences that would only prolong our city’s recovery. To prevent these predictable results, the mayor and D.C. Council should hold the education budget harmless by raising revenue and strategically leveraging federal support.

The DC Line published an Op-Ed from President Davis along with Alyssa Noth and Qubilah Huddleston from the DC Fiscal Policy Institute outlining our position on the School Year 20-21 Budget. We hope you’ll read it and share it widely.

These city-wide priorities can't overshadow the decisions being made at local schools, including proposed cuts to School Library Programs. The American Library Association sent this letter to Mayor Bowser and city council members, opposing proposed cuts to School Library Programs across DC Public Schools. We invite you to sign the Petition for DC School Librarians to ensure our school system is fully funded AND every DCPS student receives a rich, well-rounded education.

We’re asking for your help in Ensuring Our Teachers and Our Students have what they need to succeed in the next school year.

Please Sign Our Petition Here.