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DC Action Spotlights

PARCC scores reveal widening achievement gap in third grade reading proficiency

For the third year in a row, DC students in almost every grade and sub-group made gains in math and reading scores on the PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career) Specifically, the percentage of students meeting the 4+ “at or above proficiency” benchmark increased by 4 points in English Language Arts (ELA) to 31% and 2 points in math to 27%. In contrast to previously… Read more

Legislation Introduced: Home Visiting Services Pilot Program Establishment Act of 2017

DC Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau recently introduced the Home Visiting Services Pilot Program Establishment Act of 2017, a bill that would evaluate and potentially implement an innovative funding mechanism for home visiting, institute home visiting capacity grants to support providers of home visiting services, and require Help Me Grow DC to facilitate referral and intake into home visiting… Read more

Celebrating Fatherhood: Why a DC Home Visiting Program Focuses on Fathers

This past weekend, many of us celebrated Father’s Day, and though the relationships children have with their fathers are all very different, research over the years has shown that this relationship really matters. Children with positive father-child interactions are more likely to regularly attend school, not repeat a grade and achieve a diploma/GED[1]. Additionally, this relationship reduces… Read more

Proposed Federal Cuts Jeopardize D.C.’s Monumental Gains in Children’s Health Care Coverage

Proposed Federal Cuts Jeopardize D.C.’s Monumental Gains in Children’s Health Care Coverage Just 2 percent of D.C. children lack health insurance; Leaders must protect against rolling back access to health coverage District of Columbia, June 13, 2017 — Backed by strong federal policies and an unyielding local commitment to improving children’s health, 98 percent of children in the… Read more

Ward Snapshots Highlight Persistent Challenge of Child Poverty Amid District’s Baby Boom

Washington, DC – April 18, 2017 – The new Ward Snapshots released today by DC Action for Children reveal growing prosperity throughout the District for a number of families, but not all. The data presented in these Snapshots share improvements while also highlighting resource disparities and barriers to opportunity that many DC children and their families continue to face. With the Fiscal… Read more

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