On November 19, 2025, DC Education Research Collaborative director Dara Zeehandelaar Shaw
was invited by the District of Columbia State Board of Education to speak on their panel on
advancing career and technical education in DC schools. Her prepared testimony focused on the
landscape of career development opportunities for secondary school students in the District of
Columbia, including what is known about participation in and access to programs. She also gave
board members detailed information on why career development is important to DC’s students
and communities, and provided context for current inequities in career outcomes for DC
residents.

Download the full written testimony to learn more.