D.C. Public Charter School Board Approves Policy Development Process

The Board also proposed two policies that will be considered at its November Board meeting which include more stringent documentation of graduation requirements and stricter enforcement of accreditation deadlines. The graduation requirements policy ensures that charter schools align their instruction programs and student course scheduling based on the minimum 24 Carnegie Unit graduation requirement to receive a high school diploma from a public school in D.C. These requirements have been in effect since 2007, but this policy establishes more stringent documentation requirements and, in addition to refusing to certify diplomas, PCSB will sanction schools that fail to comply. To review the graduation requirements policy, click here.

The Board’s proposed charter school accreditation deadline policy states that all newly authorized charter schools must have a goal of seeking and obtaining accreditation by the end of the first five years of operation.  Existing non-accredited charter schools must seek and obtain accreditation five years from the time this policy is approved. Schools cannot expand or replicate without accreditation unless it is in their charter contract or the school has a performance framework designation of Tier 1. Failure to comply will result in school sanctions. To review the accreditation policy, click here.

The D.C. Public Charter School Board currently overseas 52 public charter schools on 96 campuses serving approximately 28,000 students living in every ward of the city.  Public charter schools now serve 38% of all public school students in Washington, DC.  Learn more about PCSB at www.dcpubliccharter.com