Tijwanna U. Phillips

League of Women Voters^®
of the District of Columbia

Question 1:
Age: 43
Occupation: Business Owner; Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner
Education: (no response)

Qualifications for office sought: My name is Tijwanna U. Phillips and I am 43 years old. I operate my own business and I am also an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner. As an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner I have learned how to get difficult things done by various government agencies. I believe in holding people accountable for doing their jobs. As a single parent I have learned how to balance a budget and effectively make the best of limited resources. My two younger children attend DCPS schools and my oldest son graduated from a DCPS school in 2009(and is currently enrolled in Florida A&M University). I have served in various capacities in local schools to include: Parent Advisory Council, President(Friendship Public Charter School); Chancellor Parent Advisory Council; Coach of the McKinley Technology High School Dance and Flag Team; Director of The Champions Against Crime Youth Organization; Director and CEO of T's Toddler Town; Licensed Foster Parent and substitute teacher at Saint Gabriel School. There are other areas where I have shared my love for engaging youth (far too many to list).

Question 2 - What State Board of Education policies would you advocate? ) I would advocate for the State Board of Education to implement anti-bullying curriculum. So many urban school systems across the country have difficulty with educating students due to problems with violence. I know that if DCPS began to teach proper conflict resolution and became more vigilant in addressing bullying the incidents of violence in school would decrease considerably. Once violence was decreased more attention could then go to teaching and meeting the Common Core Standards (aka CCS).

Question 3 - What are the major challengers to implementing the common core standards of learning? The biggest challenges ahead as the District of Columbia implements the Common Core Standards are 1) many students in DCPS are academically behind students across the country 2) students across DC are on different levels depending on where they attend school 3) teaching parents how they can help their student/s reach the standards and 4) implementing the standards in a consistent and cohesive manner.

Questions 4 - Should high school students be required to have a semester of DC history and government? In light of the growing importance of Common Core Standards of learning it is still important to teach DC History and government. Teachers can and should find a way of incorporating the CCS into each and every class taught. When students learn by association they are able to enjoy the learning experience and retain the information better. Teaching is an art when seen at it's best it changes and evolves to meet the needs of every student. I have witnessed teaching at it's best in some classrooms in DCPS.

Questions 5 - Is there a role for the State Board of Education in making charter schools accountable? There is a role in the State Board of Education for holding all DC schools accountable. The School Board could and should work together with the Charter School Board in order to come up with viable solutions for educating the city's children. Accountability is an absolute must in improving our schools. Working together we will make our schools the best in the country.

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