Washington, D.C.’s education overhaul helped Black and Hispanic children grow academically, Mathematica study finds.

New research from Mathematica found a causal link between DC’s education reform and improvements in Black student achievement. The study pointed to growth of charters, increased parental choice, and Mayoral control of schools as key drivers.  

Students had strong academic gains in 4th grade reading, 4th grade math, and 8th grade reading on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP).  Black and Hispanic students have made the most real progress in math and early literacy.  The study found that policy choices, not population shifts or gentrification, drove the District’s progress.