History of Mayoral Control
Other Cities with Mayoral Control
Powers of the Mayor
Mayor Bowser Appointments
(DCPS/DME)
SBOE & OSSE
100

This former Mayor of Washington, D.C. was the youngest person to hold the office, and his term was marked by controversy over education reform and police tactics.

Who is Adrian Fenty?

100

In 2002, this city became one of the first major cities in the United States to implement mayoral control over public schools, giving the mayor significant control over educational policy and operations.

Where is Baltimore?

100

The mayor of D.C. has this significant power over the city's budget, allowing them to propose and veto appropriations.

What is Line-Item Veto Authority?

100

Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools from November 2010 to September 2016, the D.C. Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that this person gave preferential treatment to some city officials and members of the public by granting permission for their children to enroll in schools outside the normal attendance boundaries.

Who is Kaya Henderson?

100

Name Your Ward State Board of Education (SBOE) Member.

Who is ___________?

Ward 1: Ben Williams (2023-2027)

Ward 2: Allister Chang (2021-2025)

Ward 3: Eric Goulet (2023-2027)

Ward 4: Frazier O'Leary (2021-2025)

Ward 5: Robert Henderson (2023-2027)

Ward 6: Brandon Best (2023-2027)

Ward 7: Eboni-Rose Thompson (President) (2021-2025)

Ward 8: Carlene Reid (2021-2025)

At-Large: Jacque Patterson (Vice President) (2021-2025)


200

This former Chancellor of the D.C. Public Schools was a controversial figure known for her aggressive reform policies, including closing schools and firing teachers.

Who is Michelle Rhee?

200

Also known as "The Windy City", starting in November 2024, this city's voters will elect their first school board members in nearly 30 years, after state lawmakers passed a law backed by the city teachers’ union that phases out the mayor’s control over the city’s public schools.

Where is Chicago?

200

The mayor of D.C. has this significant power over appointments, allowing them to select and appoint officials to various city positions.

What is Appointment Power?

200

Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools from February 1, 2017 to February 20, 2018, this person resigned their position after media reports that they had bypassed the school system's lottery process to win a place at a prestigious school for one of their children.

Who is Antwan Wilson?

200

This D.C. government body has taken notable actions such as approving the District's curriculum, setting teacher standards, and overseeing the implementation of education reform policies.

What is the State Board of Education (SBOE)?

300

This local government body has oversight over the D.C. Public Schools, including approving the budget, enacting laws, and confirming the Chancellor.

Who is the DC Council?

300

The mayor of this mayoral-controlled city, who has significant control over the city's public school system, including the power to appoint the chancellor and oversee the budget, was recently indicted for charges on federal bribery, campaign finance, and conspiracy offenses.

Where is New York City?

300

Coming from the Latin word vetāre, which means "to forbid", this action is a refusal to assent to the passing of a legislative bill to prevent enactment or cause reconsideration.

What is Veto?

300

Chancellor of the District of Columbia Public Schools since 2019, this person reportedly for months did not appear at contract negotiations with Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) for the 24/25 school year.

Who is Lewis Ferebee?

300

This office, headed by the Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools, oversees the day-to-day operations and educational policies of the city's public school system.

What is the Office of the State Superintendent for Education?

400

This branch of the federal government has the power to legislate for the District of Columbia, including approving its budget and confirming its mayor.

What is Congress?

400

Even though 80 percent of voters in this city voted for a nonbinding resolution in 2021 to restore an independent school board, Mayor Michelle Wu vetoed their choice in 2023.

Where is Boston?

400

The mayor of D.C. has this significant power over legislation, allowing them to introduce bills to the D.C. Council.

What is Legislative Initiative?

400

This former Deputy Mayor for Education resigned after being accused of helping the D.C. Schools Chancellor circumvent the school lottery system and was referred to the D.C. Office of the Inspector General and ethics board.

Who is Jennie Niles?

400

The State Board of Education has the authority to set __________, approve __________, and oversee teacher _________.

What are the Powers of the SBOE?

500

This position within the D.C. government is responsible for overseeing the city's education system, including the D.C. Public Schools and charter schools.

Who is the Deputy Mayor for Education?

500

This city, located in New Jersey, implemented mayoral control of its public school system in 2012, giving its mayor significant authority over education policy.

Where is Newark?

500

As the chief executive of the District, the D.C. mayor plays this crucial role in representing the city's interests and advocating for its needs at the federal level.

What is Federal Advocate?

500

Deputy Mayor for Education since 2018, this person advocates for funds to be allocated to a new private technology called EdScape to show enrollment trends and the location of specialized schools, as opposed to being invested in actual student progress by sending that money to address failing infrastructure in local schools.

Who is Paul Kihn?

500

The Office of the State Superintendent for Education is responsible for __________ the city's public schools and has the authority to __________ schools, __________ teachers, and _________ in schools with poor performance.

What are the Powers of the OSSE?

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