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In The News …

DC Poverty Rates Could Increase With New Measurement (DCentric): “A new government method of measuring poverty takes into account many factors the old rate didn’t: geography, taxes, government benefits, housing costs and other expenses. For DC, this means many more people would qualify as poor due to the city’s high cost of living.” DC Fiscal Policy Institute analyst Jenny Reed points out that median rent has risen by 35%, while incomes have increased by less than half of that. DC, along with Detroit, is one of only two US cities to have experienced a rise in housing in the past year. “A state-by-state breakdown of the new measure isn’t yet available, but regional data show western states have the highest rate, followed by the southern region.”

Capital Partners for Education gives students a chance (Washington Post): “Tanae Black is looking forward to her senior year in high school, when she can line up for the 100-meter dash again. For now, though, it’s all about the books [...] Black is one of 113 students currently working with , a non-profit organization that steers students to area private high schools, provides up to $4,500 in financial aid and matches students with support — including mentors, test preparation, etiquette and resume building [...] ‘Our goal is to remove barriers of income, social and economic class that these students may encounter,’ Brown said.” Since 1993, CPE has aided over 400 area students; and each one of last year’s high school graduates are now attending college.

Education reformers must teach values, not just facts (Greater Greater Washington): “The challenge facing education reformers is more fundamental than teacher contracts. Our children’s value systems have been co-opted largely by the media, and are now the primary obstacle to learning in the classroom,” writes Martis Davis, former teacher at Wilson High School and principal at Ellington School for the Arts. “As a principal of a DC public school I found many of my teachers without basic knowledge about key cultural icons, performers, films, music and even books which were influencing the goals and directions of their students. These teachers were bright and well versed in their respective academic fields but understood little about the social and cultural forces shaping the actions of their students.” The point is not one articulated often — do you agree?

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