SIMMONS: D.C. Council interns shine hopeful light on city youth

As I happened into the chairman’s office, Imani and Shanta greeted me with smiles, courtesy and key information without any prompting.

Their professionalism was hardly shocking, but what I later learned was truly revealing of their character.

Both girls were supposed to be off the day of my visit, but they volunteered to work because school was closed.

These young people, future professionals in training, don’t need the mayor, council or school officials tethering their hands or those of their teachers or parents to laws, rules or restrictions that would place a noose around their necks.

These seniors and rising seniors, who answered in a chorus of “yes” when asked if they want to go away to college, are the first generation to benefit from the D.C. school-reform seeds that were planted in the 1990s.

Every time D.C. officials what to know what works and what should be the next steps in education reform, they should turn to Ricardo, Shanta, Honor and Imani, and the other 2012 interns.

The chances that all or any of them will become as renown as Michelle Obama (Princeton) is slim, to be sure. But one thing is certain: The hands-off approach to school reform works for children.

This week, as the Gray administration and the council continue to search for clues to positive educational outcomes, they really don’t have to look too far.

Hey, they don’t even have to leave city hall, where the interns aid lawmakers and their staff, learn what makes government tick, and are ginning up their own perspectives on the rules of public discourse.

If education truly is the next embattled frontier in the realm of civil rights, D.C. leaders would be wise to do right by the current and next generation.

• Deborah Simmons can be reached at dsimmons@washingtontimes.com.

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