Understanding, Fluency, Application
“I have always grappled with finding resources that bridged the gap for students between conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application. Many curriculums provided an abundance of procedural fluency problems, few application problems, and failed to provide the ladder to help students go from concrete to abstract in their understanding. The Eureka Math curriculum does that: It is cohesive, rigorous, and well-balanced.” — Brandon Johnson, 4th-grade teacher at Browne Education Campus in Northeast
Real World Connections
“When you want children to have a deeper understanding of math, they need to first know the ‘why’ behind what they are doing: Why am I learning this, and how is this applicable to my life? I always make real-world connections for my children, and Common Core math helps students develop that deeper understanding.” — Gina Ughiovhe, kindergarten teacher at John Tyler Elementary School in Southeast
Public Charter Schools Improving: Report
A newly-released citywide report shows public charter school quality continuing to rise.
The report by the DC Public Charter School Board is a comprehensive look at education for public charter schools throughout D.C. that serve pre-kindergarteners to 12th-graders and for adult programs.
The results show students living in every ward of the city are benefitting from attending “Tier 1,” or top-performing, public charter schools.
“We are pleased that the highest number of students ever are receiving a quality education at pre-K-8 Tier 1 public charter schools this year,” said Scott Pearson, executive director of the board.
While the Oct. 13 release covers schools serving grades pre-K-8, school board officials will release results for high school and adult public charter schools in early November.
“As more and more families choose D.C. public charter schools for their children, improving the already high level of quality across all of our schools continues to be our top priority,” said Darren Woodruff, board chairman.
Pioneering Educator Remembered
The DC Public Charter School Board mourns the recent passing of Cassandra Pinkney, Eagle Academy Public Charter School leader and founder.
Pinkney dedicated herself to the students of Eagle Academy, which since its founding in 2003 has grown from 117 students to serving more than 700 students at two campuses.
Pinkney is remembered as a tireless crusader of compassion who worked to rehabilitate youth who emerged from the juvenile-justice system.
“Her vision was bright, and she was able to serve those children very, very well,” said Ramona Edelin, executive director of the D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools.
Charter Students Excelling
Congratulations to Briya Public Charter School students Maria Elena Van Maren and Mayra Chavez for their successful essays for Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.