On August 5, 2022, D.C. Policy Center Education Policy Initiative Director Chelsea Coffin was interviewed by The AFRO:
Chelsea Coffin joined the D.C. Policy Center in 2017 as the Director of the Education Policy Initiative, which seeks to use new data and information to improve outcomes for District students— especially, those that are underprivileged.
Coffin’s research highlights inequities in education and how these tie to other areas such as housing and workforce policies.
Prior to working with the D.C. Policy Center, she conducted planning analysis at the D.C. Public Charter School Board, carried out research at the World Bank, and taught secondary school with the Peace Corps in Mozambique.
The AFRO connected with Coffin to learn more about tackling the achievement gap and the importance of diversity in the classroom. The conversation below has been edited for length and clarity.
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