The policymakers have made statements. The researchers have given their analysis. The system leaders have laid out their solutions.

The 2022 DC PARCC and MSAA results released earlier this month, showed academic declines in reading and math, with the gaps growing larger for DC’s Black and Brown students. The data reflects nationwide trends, and are what many expected after a 2-year pandemic pause.

But the voices missing from many of these conversations are the voices of the parents and families most directly impacted by the results, and knowledgeable about DC kids. The very people who look into the eyes of the students behind the numbers on a daily basis. 

Black parents, Brown parents, parents who work multiple jobs, those who struggle financially to stay in the city, parents who live in communities beset by unnecessary violence, and parents of children with special needs. These are the voices that continue to have to push for a seat at the table, and ask to be heard and trusted to craft solutions that will ensure ALL students are on a track towards success. 

Access should not be a privilege, it is a RIGHT.  Parents have the RIGHT to know how their children and schools are doing. They have the RIGHT for academic data to be made available to them and explained clearly and plainly. Regardless of the assessment used, (PARCC, NAEP, MAP, iReady) parents should be brought into EVERY conversation about how to support their individual kids, and all kids in their community in acquiring the fundamental academic skills needed once they leave the care of our Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade education system. PAVE’s Parents’ Bill of Rights for the Education System serves as a guide to parents and system leaders on the access DC parents expect and deserve.