In December 2024, ElectED DC formed a cohort of 30 community members from Wards 7 and 8 as an advisory council to shape our policy priorities. The cohort meets monthly to learn and gather data from subject matter experts regarding issues that intersect with a student’s educational career, including economic stability, neighborhood and physical environment, education, food, community and social context, and health care system. The cohort will produce a set of policy recommendations to share with community and education leaders and elected officials.

On July 15, 2025, the District of Columbia Board of Elections will hold a special election for the Council of the District of Columbia, Ward 8 seat. ElectED DC will endorse and support the candidate in this race who, as a legislator, will prioritize the needs of Wards 7 and 8 students, will maintain a collaborative relationship with their fellow council members, and will actively work within their ward to build relationships with ward community leaders and residents. ElectED DC will make its endorsement after considering responses from submitted candidate questionnaires and interviews with those candidates who have submitted questionnaires. 

Many of our children face challenges in a traditional learning environment because they learn differently. Unfortunately, many of us are unaware of our children’s learning challenges, discovering them much later in their educational careers, when learning could have been a much easier and fun experience if we knew that their brains worked uniquely. ElectED DC will pilot a program to assess students through a neurological study. The results of the study, with parent and teacher collaboration, will be a tool for students, their parents, and teachers to provide the student with a learning experience where they can thrive.

Language learners perform better across a range of academic subjects than students who don’t study a second language. Learning another language also boosts student literacy, which gives learners an advantage in core school subjects like mathematics and science. In Washington, DC, language immersion is one of the most sought-after educational programs in the city, yet there are only three public elementary language immersion schools East of the River—and no middle school feeder option. Out of 25 dual language immersion public schools in the District, only three are located east of the Anacostia River—highlighting a lack of equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities for students in Wards 7 and 8.

Global Citizens and Elsie Whitlow Stokes are two schools in our community that are not only teaching a second language to our children but also immersing them in the culture of that language. These students speak foreign languages across all of their coursework, including math! ElectED DC is supporting and working with partners to establish and expand language immersion middle schools East of the River.