Notice of Petition to Amend Charter: Ages Served – The Next Step/El Proximo Paso PCS

The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) announces an opportunity for the public to submit comment on a written request submitted by The Next Step Public Charter School/El Proximo Paso (Next Step PCS) on December 13, 2018 to expand the ages served at its program, from 16-24 to 16-30, effective for school year (SY) 2019-20. The Next Step PCS is currently in its twenty third year of operation educating adult students ages 16-24. The school is a single campus local education agency that currently operates in Ward 1. Effective for SY 2019-20, the school proposes to increase the ages served at its adult program from 16-24 to 16-30. Next Step PCS currently offers three academic tracks—GED in English; GED in Spanish; and English as a Second Language—which it offers during both day and evening programs. If approved, the school proposes to offer the day program strictly to students aged 16-24, but the night school will educate students through age 30. As part of its amendment application, the school provided a detailed letter stating that Next Step surveyed its existing staff to determine their level of support for this amendment. Based on the feedback, the school determined the night program was the best option for serving students above age 24. Pursuant to the School Reform Act, D.C. Code 38-1802 et seq., a charter school must submit a petition to revise its charter, which includes its ages/grades served