DC Mayoral Candidates Weigh In on Education

The Education Town Hall provides a forum for elected officials and candidates for office to discuss the crucial issue of education. Especially since mayoral control over District of Columbia schools was established in 2007, education is a key issue in DC mayoral campaigns. The field this year is a crowded one. (For full list, visit the Board of Elections and Ethics website and click on the primary election candidates.)

Several upcoming programs will be dedicated to hearing from as many candidates as possible. Michael Green and Octavia Wells joined the program on December 5.

Listen to recorded discussion of the Education Town Hall’s December 5 edition.

Listen live on Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon (eastern), on We Act Radio, 1480 AM in the DC area, or worldwide via TuneIn.

Christian Carter is scheduled to appear on December 12.

Look for updates as candidates’ schedules are settled.

December 12: Christian Carter’s education platform, as posted on his campaign website, is as follows:

“To preserve the DCPS by raising pay for teachers, including vocational training programs in schools throughout the District, re-establishing our educational goals, re-certifying existing teachers and recruiting new teachers.”

Michael Green

Michael Green says that the focus on education in DC cannot be all about money. DC schools must “realize the unique needs of the kids in order for them to succeed.” Green would be looking of “front-line warriors” to fight for meeting student needs and believes more can be done to support teachers. He also argued for seeking expertise from within in developing educational leadership.

Green spoke with host Thomas Byrd during the first segment on Dec. 5. He also remained to comment on the Adequate Funding Study/Fair Funding segment of the show.

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Octavia Wells

Octavia Wells also identifies herself as “Madame President, Octavia Obama.” She believes in continuing education, saying that you’re never too old or too young to learn. Wells (no relation to Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells, also in the mayoral race) reported being new to the District: she has not been in DC long enough to familiarize herself with the issues or the name of the current mayor.
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— Zakiya Lewis, Education Town Hall intern, contributed to this report
— posted by Virginia Spatz, feature reporter