Third-Party organizations, such as those seeking to do business with or provide financing to public charter schools, often require verification from the school’s chartering authority that schools are in good standing. This policy determines whether, and in what form, the DC Public Charter School Board (“PCSB”) should issue these letters.
A description of a school’s discipline policies and procedures is required as part of its charter petition pursuant to the D.C. School Reform Act of 1995, D.C. Code §38-1802.02(10), which provides: A description of the student enrollment, admission, suspension, expulsion, and other disciplinary policies and procedures of the proposed school, and the criteria for making decisions in such areas. A charter school may develop discipline policies and procedures different from those of the District of Columbia Public Schools (“DCPS”).
After years of operating a Community Advisory Group (or CAG), the DC Public Charter School Board (PCSB) establishes the Parent and Alumni Leadership Council (PALC). The PALC will provide advice to DC PCSB regarding its policies related to public charter schools. The PALC offers members the opportunity to learn about the Board’s mission and priorities while encouraging parents to share information in their schools and communities.
This policy clarifies the restrictions on disclosure of students’ education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) for the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (the “Board”) and its employees.