Revisions of DC PCSB’s Accreditation Policy

SUMMARY: The District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (“PCSB”) announces an opportunity for the public to submit comment on revisions to the Accreditation Policy.  Under the current Accreditation Policy, schools must be accredited by the end of their fifth year of operation.  DC PCSB staff proposes this change: A school must begin the accreditation process and enter into a contract with an approved accrediting agency by December of its seventh year of operation, and fully accredited by the end of its ninth year of operation. This proposed change accounts for the fact that most schools have not reached their terminal grade by the end of their fifth year.  Accrediting agencies only accredit a school for grades they serve, leaving schools to have to apply in subsequent years for additional grades that their school adds.