Deborah Simmons

Charter schools finding niches

While many of the first-generation charter schools mimicked their public counterparts in structure and scope, many of the second-generation schools are tailor-made, according to subject matter or populations or moral goals. Published August 29, 2010

SIMMONS: Enjoy D.C.’s perks in all quadrants

"Tea party" folks beware: Don't venture outside of Northwest Washington while you're here this weekend for a momentous rally. But that warning doesn't come from police - it's from a certain blogger who professes to be looking out for your safety. Published August 26, 2010

D.C., Maryland win cash for schools

The D.C. school system and nine state applicants, including Maryland and New York, learned Tuesday they have won huge pots of money in the $3.4 billion second round of the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative. Published August 24, 2010

D.C. charter schools face unfunded mandates

D.C. schools open their doors Monday morning for the start of a new year, and charter parents and advocates say a new problem is compounding an old one. Published August 22, 2010

Cultivating ideas on urban ‘grocery gap’

It has been decades since the '60s hippie movement spawned a wave of farmers markets and food cooperatives. Times are indeed a-changin' as that counterculture movement goes mainstream, including government efforts to help close the "grocery gap" in low-income, urban neighborhoods. Published August 19, 2010

SIMMONS: Palins, Sharptons to share day on the Mall of democracy

Aug. 28. Mark the date. Sarah Palin and Al Sharpton. Published August 19, 2010

D.C. to reconsider picking up event tab

The nation's capital is a natural magnet for political rallies and sporting events, such as the annual National Marathon and two huge rallies that will be held Aug. 28, the anniversary of the March on Washington. Published August 17, 2010

DCGOP speaks out this year

Because Washington is a one-party town, D.C. Republicans sometimes can't get a word in edgewise. But don't expect them to be mum. Published August 16, 2010

Former felons feel boxed in by crime question

Former felons and their advocates are becoming increasingly assertive in the national debate about crime, claiming that they are being discriminated against not just in matters of voting but also employment and housing. Published August 15, 2010

Former D.C. felons seek to ‘Ban the Box’ on forms

Former D.C. felons are taking matters into their hands. Published August 12, 2010

SIMMONS: Black Caucus weak on families

Dear Congressional Black Caucus members: Something is missing, and it's called family values. Do you prefer Republicans claim them as a conservative issue? Published August 12, 2010

Metro brawl spurs curfew debate in D.C.

D.C. scribes are questioning whether an earlier curfew would have thwarted the melee that broke out Friday night inside a Metrorail station in downtown Washington and scared the daylights out of everyone on the scene, but the politicians aren't so forthcoming. Published August 11, 2010

‘Shadow’ hopeful stakes bid on D.C. statehood efforts

Nate Bennett-Fleming wants D.C. residents to ramp up the city's push for statehood, but he isn't taking any chances. Published August 9, 2010

SIMMONS: D.C.-run jobs program just not working

Summer jobs programs for youths. Are they a good idea? Maybe in your state. But the D.C. program should be under investigation. Published August 5, 2010

‘Ray’ of hope for D.C. Council?

Clark Ray has worked for Bill Clinton, Al and Tipper Gore, and D.C. Mayors Anthony A. Williams and Adrian M. Fenty. As he goes door to door and runs from forum to forum in the race for an at-large D.C. Council seat, he informs voters of his Democratic pedigree. Published August 1, 2010

SIMMONS: Nation of plenty but also of laws

What do we want? What do they want? What do the countless people who have entered this country illegally or overstayed their welcome really want? They and their supporters say all they want is a better life for themselves and their families. Well, what the dickens do they think Americans want? Published July 29, 2010