Blog

Little Citizens, Big Issues

On the defense for play

by Tulli Dobler
on November 18, 2011

In a blog posted this week by Valerie Strauss, author Alfie Kohn offers five intriguing propositions on play and how it has evolved to the present day, arguing that the need for pure play isn’t being met due to the rigor of the new “corporate-style school refor

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Seven billion people in the world- what's happening in the District?

by Lauren Deutsch
on November 10, 2011

According to United Nations predictions, the human population will reach 7 billion people on October 31, 2011 – most likely thanks to a baby born in China or India.

But what are the birth trends in the District of Columbia?

The total number of births in DC has been steadily increasing since 2002. In 2008, the number of births totaled 9,134, an increase of 19.1 percent since 2000.

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However poverty is measured, it’s still up

by Gwen Rubinstein
on November 8, 2011

Data from a supplemental poverty measure released yesterday by the Census Bureau suggest that 3.2 million fewer children were living in poverty in 2010 than under the official federal poverty line. The supplemental measure counts a family’s gross income, government benefits and work expenses, while the traditional measure, which has been used to define poverty for about 50 years, only counts gross income.

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A look into public charter school success: E.L. Haynes

by Tulli Dobler
on November 7, 2011

“Gotta read, baby read (clap clap!). Gotta read, baby read (clap clap!). The more I read, the more I know, the more I know, the further I go (clap clap!). You gotta read, baby read . . . .”

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Head Start: a proven model that works

by HyeSook Chung
on November 3, 2011

A few weeks ago top leaders in early education gathered at Washington Post Live to continue the conversation on the very critical issue of investing in early education (click here to see pictures and video from the day: Investing in the Future through Early Childhood Education.

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I Didn't Sign Up for War

by Gwen Rubinstein
on November 2, 2011

DC Action is pleased to welcome Gwen Rubinstein, our new Deputy Director!

War is violent. War is bloody. War is deadly.

So why do so many well-meaning people continue to talk about fighting a war on poverty? A recent piece by the Center for American Progress even suggested fighting the “war on poverty” with early childhood education, a topic near to our hearts here at DC Action for Children.

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A campaign worth noticing

by Kate Kairys
on October 31, 2011

How can we reduce poverty, school failure, child abuse and neglect, crime, violence and increase workforce preparation, all while saving the city money? Preventing teen pregnancy has an effect on all of these areas, and the D.C. City Council is taking notice. In a joint press conference with our partner, the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, several councilmembers spoke about the negative effects of teen pregnancy and how we need to do more in prevention.

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We can all learn - and we can all teach

by Lauren Deutsch
on October 28, 2011

Tomorrow will mark my fourth week participating in the Anacostia Public Service Program (APSP) at Anacostia Senior High School in Southeast DC. The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at The George Washington University has partnered with the high school for more than twenty years to build tutoring and mentoring relationships and to promote community engagement.

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Reflections of Our Luncheon

by HyeSook Chung
on October 26, 2011

Exactly two years ago, I joined DC Action for Children leaders in our community to make a difference in the lives our children. DC Action has a rich history of serving as a voice for children and youth who, otherwise, would likely have no voice. I learned so much more during our October luncheon benefit, but most importantly: how in 1992, five amazing and visionary women were drawn together by a common passion to do right by the children of DC. 

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A look into public charter school success: Achievement Prep

by Kate Kairys
on October 11, 2011

“What’s the secret sauce?” asked one member of the group after we toured Achievement Preparatory Academy. At Achievement Prep, a public charter school serving 200 students in Ward 8, test scores are among the best in the city although the students are among the most disadvantaged. They are closing the achievement gap, turning the students who come to them 2-4 years behind into some of the highest achieving students in the District’s public schools. How do they do it?

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