Last year, D.C. Public Schools celebrated its first enrollment increase since we first landed on the moon.
It was a big to-do. “This historic reversal in enrollment proves that our hard work over the past three years has created quality schools that appeal to families and set a foundation for future growth,” then-Mayor Adrian Fenty said when the rough count came out in November 2010.
An audited report released last March showed that enrollment had, in fact, increased by 913 students to a head-count of 45,631. In the past, fewer parents had been signing up their kids for seats in the troubled school system, but this, officials said, marked a turnaround.
Suffice it to say, this year’s enrollment count is just as important. Last fall, the Office of the State Superintendent for Education estimated that 46,191 students had enrolled in DCPS this year, which would signal a second year of growth, and add fuel to last year’s claim that more parents have faith in the city’s schools after reforms instituted by former Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
But the audited, official count is typically lower than the inital count. In fact, when DCPS had its historic enrollment increase last school year, the number it originally projected in the fall was higher than this fall’s estimate of 45,631, signifying that a decrease is just as likely as an increase.
Last fall, OSSE promised the audited results in January. Talking with staff last month, The Examiner learned that a Jan. 30 release date was planned. That came and went.
We were told OSSE was waiting for Mayor Vincent Gray to be briefed, and that he was briefed, last Thursday. Still no release.
However, the mayor’s State of the District address was Tuesday evening. If DCPS has continued to grow, it’s sane to surmise the mayor would have touted that success.
What he said, though, was: “The fact is, more and more parents are finding good reason to have confidence in District schools. And for the first time in decades, enrollment in D.C. Public Schools is stabilizing.”
After talking with the mayor’s office and OSSE, The Examiner learned that the enrollment figures — with school-by-school breakdowns — were to be released Thursday. However, late Wednesday night, the release was postponed.
A spokesman for OSSE said, “We are preparing an electronic format for the first time so that it is user friendly for researchers for the first time, which has taken longer than expected.”
So, expect enrollment figures any day now. If they’re good, a release early next week or even later this afternoon is possible. If they’re bad, watch out for a Friday afternoon news dump. Either way, The Examiner will keep you posted.
