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D.C. Region

Schools

D.C. Region corps members serve mainly in two large school districts; the District of Columbia Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools as well as several D.C. public charter schools. Although Prince George’s County is a part of the state of Maryland, it is considered a part of the D.C. Region and serves a population much like that in D.C. proper.

The District of Columbia Public School system (DCPS), composed of over 170 schools, is an urban school district in the heart of the nation's capital. Like many other major urban school districts, DCPS is faced with the challenge of improving student achievement. According to the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only seven percent of eighth graders in the District of Columbia scored at a level of proficient or above in math, and only 11 percent of fourth graders scored at a level of proficient or above in reading and language arts. Chancellor Michelle Rhee has promised to “ensure that only the highest quality professionals work” in DCPS. Teach For America • D.C. Region serves as a partner to the school district in meeting this goal through the efforts of our corps members and alumni. DCPS continues to experience a need for highly qualified elementary and secondary teachers and a particular need for special education, secondary mathematics, and early childhood (Pre-K) teachers.

Public charter schools have become more prevalent and established in D.C. over the past five years. Most of the public charter schools serve the same student population and face the same student achievement challenges as traditional D.C. public schools. This year, over 20 percent of D.C. public school students attend public charter schools. Currently, approximately 40 percent of Teach For America • D.C. Region corps members teach in public charter schools. Teach For America places corps members in those charter schools that experience the same challenges in student achievement faced by the traditional public school system.

D.C. Region corps members also teach in Prince George’s County Public Schools, which borders the District of Columbia and experiences the same achievement gap as low-income communities in the District. In recent years, many District residents have moved to Prince George’s County in search of more affordable housing taking with them many of the students that once filled classrooms in the District. Teach For America places corps members in Prince George’s County public schools which are located within approximately a 30-minute drive from downtown D.C. Prince George’s County Public Schools is the second largest school district in the state of Maryland, serving approximately 134,000 students. Dr. John Deasy became the superintendent of Prince George’s County May 2006 and is excited about the partnership with Teach For America in an effort to close the achievement gap.

Teach For America corps members and alumni are working relentlessly to ensure that students in the D.C. Region receive an excellent education. A growing number of Teach For America alumni are serving as school leaders in DCPS and the public charter schools. This year, 20 Teach For America alumni are serving as principals or vice principals in D.C. public schools and public charter schools, including many schools where corps members are currently placed. Teach For America alumnus Jason Kamras, a teacher at Sousa Middle School since 1996, was named the 2005 National Teacher of the Year.

 

At a Glance

Partner School Districts:
District of Columbia Public Schools
Prince George’s County Public Schools

Ethnic Breakdown-Student Population, Washington, D.C.
84% African-American
5% Caucasian
10% Latino/Hispanic
2% Asian-American
< 1% Native American
< 1% Other

Ethnic Breakdown-Student Population, Prince George's County, Maryland
77% African-American
6% Caucasian
12% Latino/Hispanic
3% Asian-American
< 1% Native American
< 1% Other

Ethnic Breakdown-Washington, D.C.
57% African-American
31% Caucasian
9% Latino/Hispanic
3% Asian-American
< 1% Native American
< 1% Other

Ethnic Breakdown-Prince George's County, Maryland
66% African-American
27% Caucasian
10% Latino/Hispanic
4% Asian-American
< 1% Native American
< 2% Other

Percentage of Students Qualifying for Free/Reduced-Price Lunch
Prince George’s County – 46% Washington, DC – 64% In the vast majority of schools where corps members serve, the percentage of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch will exceed 80%

Placement
22% elementary teachers
78% secondary teachers
16% special education teachers at both the elementary and secondary level
16% early childhood teachers
2% English as a Second Language teachers at both the elementary and secondary level
88% teach at a school with another corps member or alumnus
PreK-12 grade level placements early childhood elementary ESL specific subject secondary special education