WAMU commentary Education and Poverty

Listen to Judith's commentary or read the transcript below.

The District’s mayoral candidates are talking about their plans to improve schools. According to commentator Judith Sandalow, voters who care about education reform should also ask mayoral candidates what they will do to address our high rate of poverty.

Sandalow is Executive Director of Children’s Law Center.

SCRIPT:

Mayor Adrian Fenty’s re-election campaign calls “high quality public education” a “hallmark of his first term.” His top challenger, D.C. Council Chairman Vince Gray, says he “will make our children’s education the number one priority of his administration.”

As an advocate for children and a long-time D.C. resident, I agree that improving public education is critical to the city’s future. But I also see the crushing effects of poverty in the District every day, and I know that addressing the troubles poor children bring with them to school in the morning are as important to their educational success as having capable teachers and a nicely renovated school.

I’m talking about a 6th grade boy who lives with his family in a car, because they are homeless. Even the best teacher can’t overcome his lack of a good night’s sleep, which makes paying attention in class for six hours a day a major challenge. Read more...