Steve Burns
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON – (WMAL) With the announcement that DC Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson will be stepping down in September came waves of glowing reviews, followed by trepidation that her successor will have a tough act to follow.

“Her legacy is one that has shown that it’s possible to take an urban school district and set it on the right path to success,” D.C. Councilmember David Grosso, Education Committee chair, told WMAL. “We have seen an increase in the high school graduation rate, which is a big first step. We’ve also seen high overall academic achievement changes. They’re not as high as we want, but they are improving.”

Grosso characterized Henderson as a national leader, leading by example as other urban school districts grapple with problems like inexperienced teachers, inadequate funding, and achievement gaps along racial and economic lines. Grosso said those challenges may have been lessened under Henderson’s watch, but they are still there.

“The only way we’re going to be able to close the achievement gap is if we work hard on trying to address trauma and adversity in the schools with each individual student,” Grosso said. To that end, he said Henderson’s successor doesn’t need any “fancy new ideas.”

“I think we need somebody who’s going to really get down to work and keep moving this system forward.”

A nationwide search will commence in September following Henderson’s departure. Chief of Schools John Davis will serve as Chancellor on an interim basis.

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