Important Message About Education from Mayor Bowser

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Dear Washingtonians,

This morning, I announced that Antwan Wilson will serve as the next Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). Wilson is a lifelong educator, and I am confident that he has the experience, expertise, and character to lead our schools.

Our school communities are stronger than they have ever been, and I know that together we will be able to work with Wilson to make progress in closing the District’s opportunity gap, while continuing to expand opportunities and provide a world-class education to students from every background and circumstance.

Wilson will join DCPS from Oakland, California, where he currently serves as Superintendent of Oakland Unified School District. As Superintendent, he has championed improvements in teaching and learning, with a focus on improving social-emotional learning and special education practices. His efforts have led to increased high school graduation rates, decreased out-of-school discipline, and a decade-high investment in teacher pay. A skilled educator and manager, Wilson was able to make these improvements while also addressing budget deficits, supporting educators and staff, and improving families’ access to information about their schools.

Wilson will begin his tenure as Chancellor on February 1, 2017. Over the next months, he will work closely with Interim Chancellor John Davis to ensure a smooth transition. Davis’s devotion to our schools and his expertise in leading DCPS has been invaluable during this transition, and I thank him for setting such a strong foundation for a successful and productive school year.

Make no mistake, DCPS is on the rise. However, there is still much more work to be done to ensure that every student, in every ward of our city, receives the education and opportunities they deserve. I thank those of you who participated in the community meetings we held as part of this process, and the entire community for your continued support of our schools and our students. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you - critical partners in this work - and with Chancellor Wilson to ensure that our schools meet the needs of all our residents and that every child is able to grow and thrive in our city.

Learn more about next steps at dcpsrising.dc.gov.

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser

Mayor