Washington Lawyers' Committee

In accord with its longstanding belief that a high quality and free public education for all children in our city is a fundamental civil right, the Committee administers two related programs – the DC Public School Partnership Program and the DC Public Education Reform Program.

The DC Public School Partnership Program partners more than 40 area law firms and businesses with individual DC public schools throughout the city, in the process bringing tutoring, mentoring, and other academic enrichment services to thousands of children. The main concept is for these firms and businesses ultimately to become an integral part of the network of community support for their partner schools. These school partnerships also encourage parental involvement activities and support school fundraising, repairs, upgrades and beautification projects.

The Committee’s Public Education Reform Program historically has involved both direct representation of parent organizations and school system leaders, and the publication of policy papers related to issues such as building conditions, school governance, student health services, extracurricular and athletic programs, and overall levels of school funding. It published reports in 2005 and 2010 evaluating the state of DC Public Schools, and it will publish another report in 2015. The latest study currently underway is examining the growth of charter schools in the District and is evaluating the effect of that trend on the education of low-income minority students and on the traditional system of neighborhood public schools.

Firms, businesses and individuals interested in supporting the Committee’s DC Public School Partnership Program and its education policy research are encouraged to contact Kent Withycombe, Public Education Project Director, at kent_withycombe@washlaw.org or 202-319-1000, x 145; or Elinor Hart, Coordinator of the DC Public School Partnership Program, at elinor_hart@washlaw.org or 202-287-2966.


DC Public School Partnership Activities

Each partnership between a law firm or business and a school has its own unique attributes and activities, which depend on the age and grade level of the students, the priorities of the school’s principal and teachers, and the interests and background of the law firm employees. Academic enrichment activities include tutoring and mentoring in reading, writing, science and other academic subjects. Many firms coach clubs such as Geoplunge geography, Scrabble, Bridge, high school debate, mock trial and other similar teams. Some firms have taught classes, created Saturday academies, and helped with college essays, applications, campus visits and test preparations. All of these tutoring, mentoring and coaching activities focus on achieving academic goals identified by the schools, while also keeping students excited about learning and attending school. Firms also have worked on computer hardware and software upgrades, library renovations and school beautification. Several arranged drives for clothing, books and back-to-school supplies, and provided information, meals and childcare for PTA meetings.  

Several yearly contests and tournaments take place that involve the law firms and businesses that are partners of DC Public Schools: the city-wide GeoPlunge Tournament in the late fall or winter; the Cooking for Kids Bake Sale & Taste-Off in March; and the DC-wide Street Law Mock Trial Tournament in late March or April. The Project also organizes three School Partnership Coordinator Luncheons in the fall, winter and spring, where firm and school representatives share their latest insights regarding programs and projects at their schools. The Project also has a School Partnership Recruitment Luncheon each May.