To Teach That Go-Go Beat in DC Public Schools

Teachers, Authors, and Musicians comment on images and quotes during the Gallery Walk at the Teach the Beat: Go-Go in DC (Feb. 16) seminar co-hosted by Teaching for Change, DC Public Schools, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and the authors of The Beat!  At this full day seminar for teachers,  leading luminaries in the world of go-go engaged in dialogue and held a series of workshops with the participants. Here is an article about the day in The Washington Post: A Seminar on Bringing the Go-Go Sound To DC Public Schools [post_view] Continue reading To Teach That Go-Go Beat in DC Public Schools

President Obama Explains Why He Doesn’t Send His Daughters to DC Public Schools

President Barack Obama may have ruffled a few feathers when he answered a question on NBC’s “Today Show” about why he did not send his daughters to DC Public Schools, a place where he lives. FLORIDA WOMAN QUESTION: “I wanted to know whether or not you think that Malia and Sasha would get the same high quality rigorous education in a D.C. public school as compared to their very elite private academy they’re attending now.” PRESIDENT OBAMA ANSWER: “I’ll be blunt with you. The answer is ‘no’ right now. The D.C. public schools are struggling. They have made important strides … Continue reading President Obama Explains Why He Doesn’t Send His Daughters to DC Public Schools

Barry Wants DC Teacher Firings Probed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 100 students, parents and teachers marched in protest outside McKinley Technical High School in Northeast D.C. on Monday morning. The group remains upset over the firing of more than 200 teachers last Friday. Now, D.C. City Councilmember Marion Barry is calling for the Inspector General’s Office to investigate. The Washington Teachers Union is planning to file a lawsuit. The large crowd of protestors, held signs and shouted, “Education, not termination.” They were watched by police officers and school officials. Students are particularly angry over the termination of long-time teachers and guidance counselors who they say … Continue reading Barry Wants DC Teacher Firings Probed

DC School Employees Threaten to Sue

Washington, DC – The dust has cleared and the tear gas cleared away, after an angry confrontation between students and police at McKinley Tech High school. But some of the riffed school employees cleaning out their desks are vowing to take legal action and continue protests. 229 teachers and 89 other public school employees got their walking papers Friday. Students upset about it got involved in a confrontation with police at McKinley Tech. The laid off workers were allowed to clear out their personal belongings Saturday. Rhonda R. Robinson is a guidance counsellor with a master’s degree, who has worked … Continue reading DC School Employees Threaten to Sue

Laid Off DC Teachers Clean Out Desks

WASHINGTON – Some Washington school teachers headed back to their class rooms for the last time over the weekend. Teachers who were laid off Friday were told they could come back to school Saturday to clean out their classrooms and offices. But at McKinley Tech arriving teachers found the doors locked at first. Media teacher Ralph Cooper says he was not surprised, saying the transition has not smooth for anyone. D.C. public schools officials announced Friday they will fire nearly 400 employees — including 229 teachers — because of budget cuts. Watch video clip below: Continue reading Laid Off DC Teachers Clean Out Desks

D.C. Schools Security Company Goes Bankrupt

The security company that provided about 300 guards to D.C. schools went bankrupt Thursday night, disrupting the beginning of classes across the city. Schools spokeswoman Jennifer Calloway confirmed widespread reports that guards employed by company Hawk One Security did not appear for work Friday morning. “They folded last night,” she said. The company’s troubles were not a surprise, Calloway said, and the school system is implementing a new security plan that she declined to detail in an interview Friday morning. She promised more information later in the day. The disappearance of paid security guards caused widespread reports of trouble. D.C. … Continue reading D.C. Schools Security Company Goes Bankrupt