MISSION

An overarching tenet of DC VOICE is that everyone in the community is needed to raise academic achievement. Consequently, the DC VOICE mission is to inform and mobilize the public to hold both the schools and the community accountable for providing high quality teaching and learning for all.

Core Beliefs

All Children Deserve Quality Education
All children and youth have a right to a high quality public education based on meaningful and rigorous educational standards. It is expected that all children can reach those standards, and will be provided with the necessary supports to do so.

Power of Public Engagement
A key component in educational reform is an engaged and informed public; without which there is little hope for positive outcomes.

School/Community Relationship

The schools belong to the community. This should be reflected by a respectful working partnership between each school and its community on issues such as governance, curriculum, professional development, research and staffing.

Collaboration
We can accomplish more by working together in collaboration than we can by working separately, and we seek to further collaboration at all levels.

Systems Thinking
We must go beyond superficial and isolated events to analyze and address the human and institutional complexities and interdependent factors involved in public education.

Governance
Parents, teachers, students and community members must have the support needed and the right to be legitimately involved in decisions regarding student education and achievement.

Equity
All aspects of school reform should keep equity at the center. This entails examining each issue through the lens of race, class and gender – and being willing to institute equity measures to create a level playing field for all involved.

Organizing
Grassroots organizing and advocacy training are critical for empowered public engagement.

Research
National and community-based research and data on all aspects of local schools and the school system should be accessible to all members of the community and should inform all school reform efforts.

Professional Development
Key to improved student achievement is rigorous, sustained, in-depth and collaborative professional development.

Teaching and Learning
Successful schools feature in-depth active learning, emphasis on authentic performance, attention to development, appreciation for diversity, opportunities for collaborative learning, a collective perspective across the school, structures for caring, support for democratic learning, and connections to family and community.