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.
In our new Strategic Roadmap, we are committed to focusing on equity -- and on the District students we serve. This Strategic Roadmap will guide our work in three areas: Excellent Schools, Enduring Partnerships, and Effective Organization.
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, granting at risk students and their families greater access to the schools that they want to attend, and ensuring that those schools are prepared to serve higher numbers of at risk students. Beginning in School Year (SY 2022-23, DC public charter schools may offer an admission preference to students who are at risk, with prior approval from the DC Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB, such at risk 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 an at risk preference, as well as the standards for renewal of an atrisk preference. This policy also outlines how a school that has been approved for an at risk preference may seek approval from DC PCSB to discontinue the preference, should it choose.
Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (more often referred to ANCs) receive notification from DC PCSB when a school request to change its charter agreement. DC PCSB encourages all schools to get to know their commissioner and to attend the ANCs single member district meetings.