Washington, D.C. — Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (Ward 5) issued the following statement regarding the D.C. Public School (DCPS) attendance and graduation report:
“I am deeply upset by the findings of the DCPS attendance report, and in particular the revelation of wide-spread attendance fraud at Dunbar High School in Ward 5. I learned about this yesterday from Chancellor Wilson, just hours before the Mayor’s press conference, which I also attended.
While some details are still emerging, it is clear that the adults who are responsible for the alleged attendance fraud failed our students, their parents, and our entire education community. At the same time, the report suggests this situation is not just a few bad apples, but a systemic failure at DCPS.
I am also disappointed to learn that 87% of Luke C. Moore Academy students were found to have graduated in violation of the attendance policy.
I will be monitoring this situation closely and will be working with the community and stakeholders to rebuild trust with the DCPS community. We must ensure that administrators follow the law and DC students receive the quality education to which they are entitled.”
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