By: Paul Negron, Public Affairs Specialist
Last week, our outgoing Student Representatives Tatiana Robinson (Ballou High School) and Marjoury Alicea (Capital City Public Charter School) joined Student Advisory Committee (SAC) members Hannah Dunn & Aaliyah Dick (both of Wilson High School) to present the end-of-year SAC report to State Board members. During the June public meeting, these student leaders shared highlights from the Committee’s recommendations, which focused on solutions for teacher retention and equity across District schools.
The SAC serves as the voice of students in the State Board’s work and student members are consulted on issues of policy before the State Board. Our SAC met monthly in 2018-19, dividing work into two committees. Throughout the year, SAC members interviewed students and teachers to gain valuable feedback on issues vital to the work of the State Board. Students looked at how to keep more teachers in schools and focused on finding the real reasons behind the inequities in DC schools.
Here are some of the highlights:
Marjoury Alicea, graduating senior from @CapitalCityPCS & incoming freshman @sunyosewego, shared what it’s like to be a Student Rep on the @DCSBOE. #DCStudentVoice
“This year, I grew as a person and learned what a student can do serving on the State Board.” pic.twitter.com/OjahBgSkP1
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
Hannah Dunn @Wilsonhsdcps:
“Access to opportunities are a challenge for students in different parts of the District. Schools vary in offering AP/IB programs, after school extracurriculars.” #DCStudentVoice pic.twitter.com/69vX1IlDGb
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
.@thetatiana_, who heads to @univmiami in the Fall, on #TeacherTurnover:
“Top reasons for #TeacherTurnover include work environment – some teachers feel like they can’t operate because of student behavior or poor communication from staff/administration.” #DCStudentVoice pic.twitter.com/jFl359B6so
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
.@thetatiana_, who heads to @univmiami in the Fall, on #TeacherTurnover:
“Top reasons for #TeacherTurnover include work environment – some teachers feel like they can’t operate because of student behavior or poor communication from staff/administration.” #DCStudentVoice pic.twitter.com/jFl359B6so
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
.@thetatiana_ shared teacher testimonials from student-conducted interviews:
“A lot of people don’t think of teachers as a person…. Lack of teachers equals lack of learning… Teachers are more than just employees – they are creating the future.” #DCStudentVoice pic.twitter.com/ScsQ6Hz2qe
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
Read the entire SAC report here: https://t.co/Hq3geQSzY0
Watch the panel testimony and Q&A here: https://t.co/V5mKn5PXEq pic.twitter.com/Ib5UFQT3nD
— DC State Board of Ed (@DCSBOE) June 25, 2019
State Board members voted unanimously to accept the report and the SBOE will now officially begin discussions for next steps on the report’s contents.
D.C. State Board of Education Blog 