Teaching in DC

Because of its unique status as the nation's capitol, the District's educational system is organized differently than that of most cities. From a legal point of view, there are actually more than five dozen “school districts” within Washington, DC.

The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the largest school district, consisting of over 130 schools, offering pre-kindergarten through 12th grade education, along with multiple alternative educational programs, to approximately 45,000 students. In 2006, the local school board was abolished and the DCPS came under mayoral control. The system is led by Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who has become a national figure and has made many controversial decisions during her tenure, including school closures, central office firings and teacher layoffs, and a new pay-for-performance system for teachers.

The other school districts are the various charter schools that serve over 1/3 of DC’s public school student population. (DC has more students in charter schools than any other city in the nation except New Orleans.)
Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate with more flexibility than traditional public schools. Some charters are part of a small network with multiple campuses; others are single-school sites. The academic focus, student and teacher policies, and even the length of the school day and school year vary from charter to charter.

Across both traditional and charter public schools in DC, the student population is diverse, representing various ethnic, linguistic, and soci-economic groups. Despite this diversity, schools are often fairly homogenous; for instance, some schools have extremely high concentrations of poverty, while others have few disadvantaged students. As is the case in far too many schools nationwide, schools with high concentrations of students in poverty tend to also have fewer resources: there is more work to be done, and less with which to do the work. It is often observed that DC is '51st out of 50 states' when it comes to academic performance.

Because the city has both a history of underperformance and multiple strong, active, and highly visible reform efforts underway, teachers in both traditional and charter public schools often report feeling extreme pressure to perform and specifically to 'teach to the test.' Some go so far to interpret the dynamic of the city's schools as a 'culture of fear.' Others support the current change efforts and are energized by what they perceive as a renewed focus on results.

Before deciding to teach in DC, Inspired Teaching encourages you to learn more about the dynamics of urban school systems in reform and to reflect on whether and how you would thrive in a large school district with a heavy emphasis on accountability.

Living in DC

Washington, DC is a dynamic metropolitan area that hosts national and local history, character, and flair. It is our nation's capital and the seat of the federal government and the home to many neighborhoods rich with local history and lore. DC has limitless options for entertainment through its numerous museums, monuments, professional sports teams, and cultural arenas. The city's public transportation system facilitates easy travel throughout the region.