December 17, 2009

High School Students Prepare to Give Chancellor Rhee Advice 

Contact: Jennifer Calloway | 202-535-1096

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, 42 District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) students from all 17 high schools met with Chancellor Michelle Rhee to kickoff the first High School Cabinet session (HSC) of the 2009-2010 school year. The HSC was designed to provide a direct line of communication between the central office and secondary students in every Ward across the District.

“I can always count on our students to be open and honest about the things that affect their lives every day,” said Chancellor Rhee. “We view our High School Cabinet as youth think tank, and in the past they have alerted us to everything from facilities issues to the need for increased rigor. Their invaluable input has enabled us to make strategic decisions that benefit all students.”

Now in its third year, the High School Cabinet has evolved into a unique opportunity for students from different schools to interact and collaborate with the Chancellor and one another to ensure that their collective and individual school needs are being heard.

Previously, students were recommended to serve on the High School Cabinet by their principals; this year DCPS created an application process opened to all 10th and 11th graders. Seventy-two students applied and ultimately twice as many students as in previous years were selected to participate, creating a richer cross section of voices.

Chancellor Rhee read every application --which required students to explain why they wanted to be a member of the Cabinet and to give her one important piece of advice. Students offered an astute mix of observations and suggestions:

“Make yourself available as much as possible. We like to ask questions and know the people who are making decisions for us,” 10th grader, McKinley Technology High School.

“I think that student input should play a big role in school-wide decisions, because students are the ones who have to attend these schools and our opinions should be heard,” 11th grader, Spingarn Senior High School.

“Schools are where children’s lives are changed and where many of their lasting memories are made; therefore no stone should be left unturned to ensure that all children are afforded good schools,” 11th grader, Luke C. Moore Academy.

For more information about upcoming meetings and to read more student advice to the Chancellor, please visit: http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About DCPS/Chancellor's Corner/Chancellor's High School Cabinet 2009-2010.

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