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Number of DC Public Schools Students Ready for College and Career Grows for Fourth Year

Monday, August 19, 2019

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee announced that DCPS students made gains on the 2019 Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). This year marks the fourth year that DCPS has seen continued improvement – up 15.0 percentage points in English language arts (ELA) and 11.5 percentage points in math since students began taking PARCC in 2015.

The number of DCPS students scoring at a Level 4 or 5 increased by 4.9 percentage points in English language arts (ELA) and 1.9 percentage points in math in 2019, outpacing the state average. In 2019, 39.9 percent of DCPS students met or exceeded expectations on the grades 3-8 and high school ELA assessments, while 32.4 percent met or exceeded expectations on the grades 3-8 and high school math assessments. The 2019 PARCC scores also highlight that DCPS reduced the percentage of students scoring at Level 1 or Level 2 in ELA and math by 4.5 percentage points and 2.4 percentage points, respectively.

Overall DCPS PARCC Proficiency (% L4 + L5)

“When I visit classrooms in all eight wards of the District, I see incredible teaching and learning happening every day, and DCPS’ growth is a testament to the hard work of our students and educators,” said DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee. “This year marks the fourth consecutive year of growth in both ELA and math for DCPS students, and we will continue to invest our time and resources in preparing every student to reach their full potential and thrive in life.”

Students at almost every grade level made gains in 2019, and DCPS also saw gains by race, economic status, special education status, and English learning status.

DCPS ELA PARCC % L4 + L5 by Grade

DCPS Math PARCC % L4 + L5 by Grade

Schools across all eight wards experienced growth in ELA and math. In ELA, 75 percent of DCPS schools had gains, with 19 schools experiencing double digit growth, including:

  • Hart Middle School (Ward 8) saw a 13.6 percentage point increase.
  • Washington Metropolitan High School (Ward 1) saw a 10.0 percentage point increase.
  • Burrville Elementary School (Ward 7) saw an 18.0 percentage point increase.
  • Brookland Middle School (Ward 5) saw a 10.4 percentage point increase.
  • Garrison Elementary School (Ward 2) saw a 32.7 percentage point increase.

In math, 61 percent of DCPS schools made gains, and at least one school across all eight wards experienced double digit gains.

  • Whittier Education Campus (Ward 4) saw an 11.6 percentage point increase.
  • Randle Highlands Elementary School (Ward 7) saw an 11.8 percentage point increase.
  • Banneker High School (Ward 1) saw a 12.9 percentage point increase.
  • Murch Elementary School (Ward 3) saw an 11.7 percentage point increase.
  • Payne Elementary School (Ward 6) saw a 12.2 percentage point increase.

Thirty-eight DCPS schools across all 8 wards made gains of 2 percentage points or more in both ELA and math.

Thirty-eight DCPS schools across all 8 wards made gains of 2 percentage points or more in both ELA and math.

“I am proud to see gains across student backgrounds, including socioeconomic status, race, ward, and gender, but we have much more work to do to close achievement and opportunity gaps in our district,” said Chancellor Ferebee. “Our commitment to equity and excellence will not waver, and we will continue to implement new and innovative supports for our students so they are better prepared for success in college, career, and life.” 

During the 2019-20 school year, DCPS is increasing supports for students in new ways, including:

  • Launching Connected Schools – 10 schools will dramatically shift how they partner with DC agencies to integrate academics, social services, and family engagement.
  • Introducing a new system to support schools – DCPS will supports schools through a cluster model, and will drive more resources to accelerate outcomes in three clusters with schools in the Anacostia Elementary Feeder, Ballou Elementary Feeder, and Anacostia and Ballou Secondary Feeder.
  • Targeted investments in lowest performing schools – Through school redesign, schools identified as comprehensive through the ESSA STAR ratings will receive additional investments from DCPS, including more supports for students with special needs and new partnerships, including Turnaround for Children.
  • Digital equity – Phase one of DCPS’ investment in providing every student in grades 3-12 with a technology device will rollout this year, and students in grades 3, 6, and 9 will be able to learn new digital skills with their own laptop or tablet at school.
  • More real-word experiences – DCPS is increasing the number of students involved in career academies and early college programs by launching new NAF academies, increasing capacity at existing NAF academies, and opening the Coolidge Early College Academy in Ward 4 and the first early college program East of the River at Bard DC in Ward 7.

DCPS is proud that students have shown progress on PARCC for four consecutive years. Scores from this year and previous years can be found here:

View the 2019 PARCC scores for all school. [PDF]

View the 2018 PARCC scores for all schools.[PDF]

View the 2017 PARCC scores for all schools.

View the 2016 PARCC scores for all schools.

View the 2015 PARCC scores for grades 3-8 and high schools.