Superintendent Paul Vance resigns
Effective December 31, 2003
November 14, 2003

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District of Columbia Public Schools
News Release Dr. Paul L. Vance, Superintendent

District of Columbia Public Schools ! Office of Communications and Public Information
825 North Capitol Street, NE , 7th Floor- Washington, DC 20002 Tel; (202) 442-5635• Fax: (202) 442-5418 • www.k12.dc.us 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT PAUL L. VANCE SUBMITS RESIGNATION, EFFECTIVE, DECEMBER 31 2003

"Transformation Schools, Top Quality Executive Team, 90 New Experienced Principals and Changing Institutional Culture Sited Among Major Accomplishments"

Washington, DC - District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Superintendent Paul L. Vance announced today his resignation as Chief Executive Officer of the District's 167 schools and learning centers. The resignation is effective December 31, 2003. The announcement was made at an afternoon press conference. .

Among the major accomplishments that characterized his tenure as Superintendent, Vance cited the implementation of the Business Plan for Strategic Reform, the establishment of the Transformation Schools, which have shown tremendous promise and has extraordinary potential as a model for quality education, and the hiring of ninety (90) new experienced principals. Of particular note, Vance cited his leadership in the creation of a new institutional culture in the District of Columbia Public Schools. That cultural shift helped to bring employees from an attitude of low expectations and discouragement to one of a "can do" attitude that has changed the character of the school system.

Vance has faced and resolved many challenges as Superintendent. However, he cited as one of his major challenges, the challenge of most urban superintendents, namely the raising of the collective achievement level of students, especially in literacy and reading.

"The past three years have represented a most rewarding opportunity to serve the wonderful children of this school district and resident of this great city. Our schools have shown much promise and have extraordinary potential as a model for quality education embraced and supported by the community. Look for me on the sidelines supporting them and advocating for them always."

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Statement for Immediate Release
November 14, 2003

Mayor Provides Statement on the Resignation of DCPS Superintendent Paul E. Vance

“There is no doubt that Paul Vance gave his heart and soul to the betterment of education here in the District and elsewhere. He has had a distinguished career in public education, and he has left his mark on the education system here in our city. His pioneering work on the transformation schools program will be a model for the nation. We are already beginning to see the results of this effort. He applied new management techniques designed to reduce bureaucracy and streamline school operations. And he began to implement long-needed programs designed to enforce certification standards for teachers.

“With all that has happened under his watch, there are many challenges still facing the District school system. As we look forward, I want to work closely with the members of the school board and with the interim superintendent to bring about a bold agenda of reform and improvement. We are clearly in a better place than we were four years ago, but we have fallen far short of where we need to be.

“I wish Paul Vance nothing but the best in whatever he does next. On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, I thank him for his service and his devotion to the students, faculty, and administrators of the District of Columbia Public Schools.”