It’s hard to believe it, but the D.C. Policy Center is less than three years old. In that short period of time, it has published over 200 widely-read studies, successfully launched its Education Policy Initiative, more than doubled its operating budget and transferred into an independent 501c3 nonprofit after its incubation at the Federal City Council. Its work has received broad media coverage, and its staff frequently appear before the D.C. Council and receive invitations to speak at events across the region.
This week the D.C. Policy Center released its 2018 Annual Report, which you can find HERE. Some of the highlights from the year include:
- A groundbreaking study of the District’s housing stock.
- An in-depth exploration of tax and budget practices.
- A widely-cited analysis of the potential impact of Amazon on the regional labor market.
- A series of reports on enrollment patterns and diversity of D.C. public and charter schools.
It has big plans to expand work in 2020:
- A major research initiative will be launched on regional business patterns and competitive dynamics in the Washington metropolitan area.
- The Education Policy Initiative will focus on inclusivity and equity, start a blog called “Schools by the Numbers,” and assist the District’s planned Education Research Practice Partnership.
- A new study will examine how rent control laws help or hinder housing affordability goals in the District.
Supported by a generous gift from FC2 Trustee and D.C. Policy Center Board Chairman Charles “Sandy” Wilkes, the Policy Center will launch its Wilkes Fellowship to support a current or recent graduate student apply his or her experience and training to addressing key policy issues in the District.
