Children’s potential is equally distributed across lines of race and class—but their opportunities are not. Today, 25 percent of D.C. children live in poverty—in a region that’s home to half of the top 10 wealthiest counties in the United States. With lifetime earnings closely linked to educational attainment, unequal access to an excellent education can give rise to entrenched poverty that lasts for generations.
Here, those disparities persist along lines of race and geography. Although they live just a few miles apart, only 14 percent of children in D.C.’s Ward 8, east of the Anacostia River, are proficient in reading compared to 70 percent of their Ward 3 peers. In Prince George’s County, only 44 percent of Latinx/Hispanic adults hold a high school degree.
All children, regardless of their background, deserve an excellent education. To realize that vision, Teach For America D.C. Region recruits, matches, onboards, and supports a diverse network of teachers and leaders who bring tremendous promise and commitment to advance the academic and personal growth of their students.
The path to an excellent education for every child starts with more great teachers in the classroom, but it does not end there. Today, more than 3,000 Teach for America leaders in our region are transforming our education system in classrooms, schools, and throughout our communities. Join them—and us—as we reimagine what’s possible for our children.