The achievement gap in D.C. is tangible in student work, confidence, competitiveness, as is evidenced by the numbers – just 13% of our eighth graders are on grade level in math. The contrast between educational outcomes and life prospects between the rich and poor is stark: west of the Potomac River, virtually all students will go to college, while east of the Anacostia River, only 1 in 20 make it to higher education and 3 in 20 will end up in prison.

These facts only fuel our sense of urgency and determination. Faced with one of the worst achievement gaps in the nation, the D.C. region is seeing progress that, until recently, few thought possible. Corps members and alumni have played a vital role in helping to turn-around some of the top 15% of high performing schools in D.C. The region’s 1,300 alumni leaders are a formidable force for change: 37 school leaders, 60% of the DCPS senior leadership team, 12 ran for local political office this year. Our alumni are leading the charge in education innovations that are quickly becoming national models.

Corps members have been teaching in the D.C. region since 1992. With so much more work ahead, we’re working to increase our size and impact. This year’s corps will reach nearly 20% of the entire student body that faces an achievement gap in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County. The D.C. region is at a tipping point on its journey toward ensuring that kids growing up in poverty have the chance to get an excellent education.