Who We Are

Our goal is to ensure that students and families in Washington, DC, have access to quality public charter school education. We do that by setting tough academic standards, using a comprehensive charter application review process and effective oversight, providing meaningful support, and actively involving parents, school leaders, the community, and policymakers.

DC PCSB is an independent government agency of the District of Columbia, created in 1996, led by a volunteer seven-member board. As the sole public charter school authorizer in our nation’s capital, we provide oversight to 128 public charter schools which are managed by 66 independently run nonprofit organizations called local education agencies. These schools educated 43,485 (unaudited) students in school year 2019-20, nearly half of DC’s public school students.

DC PCSB Bylaws

Our Vision

Every DC student receives a quality education that makes them feel valued and prepares them for lifelong learning, fulfilling careers, and economic security.

100

OF DC CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS

Our Mission

DC public charter schools are environments where all students, especially those in historically marginalized groups, thrive. As DC’s charter authorizer, we:

Approve, monitor, and evaluate schools, with an emphasis on equity and academic excellence

Create policies and conditions to empower educators to do their best work in service of students

Actively engage families, schools, and communities to inform our decision-making

100

COMMITTMENT

Our Commitment to Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Work

Grounded in our race, equity, diversity, and inclusion (REDI) work, we pledge to take time to reflect, listen, and hold space for one another in service of our mission. We are united in the following beliefs and commitments that will guide our authorizing work moving forward:

We acknowledge the prevalence of interpersonal, institutional, and systemic racism in our country

We seek to understand the collective impact of racism and inequity on public education and our role in perpetuating these harms

We believe an excellent school is equitable

We work to eliminate the impact of racism and inequity on students as DC’s public charter school authorizer

We commit to continuous learning about ourselves, our work, and our city to inform our policies, practices, recommendations, and behaviors

We engage all voices in our decision-making process thoroughly and consistently, and we embrace discord that can come when people share their personal experiences and perspectives on our work