Standing Together for Fair Pay and Equity in Early Childhood Education
- dcaeycweb
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Yesterday, the DCAEYC team joined our partners from the Under 3 DC Coalition at the Wilson Building as the DC Council met to discuss permanent legislation for the Pay Equity Fund. Educators, parents, and advocates gathered to make one message clear: the District must fully fund the Pay Equity Fund and protect fair compensation for early childhood educators.
The Pay Equity Fund, created to ensure that early childhood educators receive compensation comparable to their peers in DC Public Schools, faces ongoing funding challenges. During the Council’s discussion, proposals for across-the-board pay reductions surfaced as a way to address the shortfall. For educators who already face economic instability, even small cuts can have devastating effects, not only on their livelihoods but also on the children and families who rely on them.
DCAEYC’s Interim Executive Director, Berna Artis, joined coalition members in calling for lasting solutions, not temporary fixes. “No cuts, no patchwork, and long overdue fully funded educator pay,” she urged, emphasizing that early educators deserve consistent, equitable compensation and respect for their essential role in DC’s education system.
Together with Under 3 DC and many community partners, DCAEYC continues to advocate for policies that uplift early childhood professionals, strengthen the child care system, and ensure stability for families. Our presence at the Wilson Building was a reminder that this issue affects the entire community. When we invest in early educators, we invest in children’s futures.
As the Council moves forward with its decisions, DCAEYC remains committed to working with local leaders to secure long-term funding solutions that honor the dedication and professionalism of early childhood educators across the District.
Fair pay for educators means stability for children, families, and communities.