Resources

Resources for learning about poverty in the United States and how it affects and children and youth in the District

• The Brookings Institute of Greater Washington
  The mission of GWR at Brookings is to improve public policy in the region by identifying policy issues, presenting data and analysis of policy options, and convening leaders for focused dialogue. Brookings covers a range of topics that are of interest to DCAYA, its membership base, and its allies. These topics include:strengthening neighborhood development efforts, enhancing the quality of the District's public schools, reducing poverty, particularly by improving workforce development programs,increasing the provision of affordable housing,and transforming the provision of primary health care.
   
• DC Kids Count 2000-2010
  A unique alliance of public and private organizations using research to support advocacy for change in human, social, and economic policies and practices of government, the private sector, individuals, families, neighborhoods, and communities. Its mission is to advocate for the interests and well-being of children and families and to ensure their healthy development and future in the District of Columbia. An organizing goal of the Collaborative is to build a strong and serious child and family support movement in the Nation's Capital. The Collaborative releases an annual report on children and youth in DC. Accessible in PDF form above.
   
• The Urban Institute
  The well-being of children and youth is a major concern of the Urban Institute. Their work spans from child development at the youngest ages to the needs of teenagers aging out of foster care. The Urban Institute focuses on child care, child welfare, juvenile justice, and children's health and education as issues 

DC Public Charter Schools
http://www.dcpubliccharter.com

DC Public Library
http://www.dclibrary.org/

Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

State Board of Education- The State Board of Education consists of nine elected members. One is elected at large and there is one from each of the eight Wards of the District of Columbia.The DC State Board of Education is responsible for advising the State Superintendent of Education on educational matters, including: state standards; state policies, including those governing special, academic, vocational, charter and other schools; state objectives; and state regulations proposed by the Mayor or the State Superintendent of Education. 

Advocates for Justice and Education-The mission of Advocates for Justice and Education (AJE) is to educate parents, youth, and the community about the laws governing public education, specifically for children with special needs. AJE offers training AJE was formed to motivate and educate parents, and those working with parents about the laws that govern special education and related services, and the consequences of institutional negligence and/or inappropriate classification of students with special needs.

Youth Education Alliance-The Youth Education Alliance (YEA) is a youth-based membership group that promotes high-quality education in the District of Columbia.  Since 2001, YEA has been working to improve the quality of education for District of Columbia public school youth while developing the leadership skills of young people to advocate on their own behalf.  YEA brings together public high school students from across the city to identify the problems in their schools and solve them collectively through petitions, direct action, student organizing, public testimony and media work.  

Education Policy Resources

General

The Brown Center at Brookings-the purpose of the Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings is to examine the problems of the American education system and to help delineate practical solutions. Most of the Center’s research has focused on the elementary and secondary levels, but its agenda is expanding to consider related challenges for higher education as well.

Center on Education Policy-The Center on Education Policy is a national, independent advocate for public education and for more effective public schools. The Center helps Americans better understand the role of public education in a democracy and the need to improve the academic quality of public schools

Education Policy Center and CALDER at The Urban Institute-The Education Policy Center conducts research on education reforms involving accountability, school vouchers, standards, after-school programs, technology, teacher quality, and the new increased flexibility in using federal funds. CALDER is the National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research which is housed at the Urban Institute in conjunction with a number of research institutes at various univerisities. The Center’s research focuses most centrally on how teacher policies, governance policies, and social and economic community conditions affect outcomes for teachers and their students. 

Early Childhood Education

DC Action for Children-DC Action for Children is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all children in the District of Columbia have the opportunity to reach their full potential. DCACT works to accomplish their mission through four key strategies:increasing public awareness of issues facing children and youth in the District;providing timely data and analysis to support effective public policies, funding and programs;collaborating with partners to boost quality and access to early care and education; and, empowering families, organizations and communities to advocate for their youngest citizens.

Post-Secondary Education

Institute for Higher Education Policy-The mission of the Institute for Higher Education Policy is to increase access and success in postsecondary education around the world through unique research and innovative programs that inform key decision makers who shape public policy and support economic and social development.