Read testimony DC PCSB has delivered before the DC Council.
Note: To read testimony and answers to questions posed by DC Council to DC PCSB during performance, click here, and budget oversight hearings, click here.
The COVID-19 public health emergency resulted in all DC public charter schools physically closing and implementing distance learning programs in March 2020. The DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) adopted this policy to clearly articulate changes in the implementation of policies and practices impacted by the pandemic for the remainder of the school year (SY) 2019-20. The policy was revised in December to describe additional changes to DC PCSB's oversight and accountability practices for SY 2020-21.
*This policy ended on June 30, 2023 and has been replaced by the Charter Goals Policy. However, components of the policy still impact upcoming charter reviews and renewals containing SY 2019 – 20 through SY 2021 – 22.
Pursuant to § 38-1802.04(c)(10) of the School Reform Act (SRA) and charter schools’ charter agreements, a public charter school must submit a petition to the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) to amend its charter agreement. This policy reaffirms and establishes petition submission expectations for a school seeking revisions to its charter agreement.
The purpose and intent of this policy is to implement the Expanding Equitable Access to Schools Amendment Act of 2020, that seeks to give greater access to at risk students and their families to the schools they want to attend, and ensuring those schools are prepared to serve higher numbers of at risk students. Beginning in School Year SY 2022-23, DC public charter schools will offer an admission preference to students who are at risk, with prior approval from DC PCSB. The preferenceͪ shall remain in effect for five years and may be renewed an unlimited number of times, each time for an additional five-year period. This policy outlines the process and baseline criteria DC PCSB will use to approve schools to offer the equitable access preference, as well as the standards for renewing the preference. This policy also outlines how schools approved for the preference may seek approval from DC PCSB to discontinue the preference, should it choose.