Testimony Recap: Truancy Reform Initiative and Language Access Amendment

The DC Public Charter School Board (DCPCSB) testified in two hearings at the DC City Council last week. The first was a joint roundtable on truancy and the implementation of truancy reform initiatives with the Committee of the Whole and Committee on Education.  The second was a joint hearing with the Committee for Education, and the Committee on the Judiciary. The hearing discussed the “Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2015”. 

Truancy and the Implementation of Truancy Reform Initiatives

DC PCSB Deputy Director Naomi DeVeaux testified at the Joint Roundtable on Truancy and the Implementation of Truancy Reform Initiatives.  DeVeaux’s testimony centered on the progress of public charter schools have made to improve attendance and truancy rates, how truancy impacts achievement for students, and DC PCSB’s work to help schools examine and improve their in-seat attendance rates. Representatives from DC Prep PCS and KIPP DC PCS also testified. DeVeaux’s full testimony can be found here.

Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2015

DC PCSB Executive Director Scott Pearson testified on the Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2015, introduced by Councilmember David Grosso. Pearson’s testimony focused on practices schools currently use to support English Language Learners and their families. He also emphasized the need for improving access to quality education for English Language Learners while also respecting the flexibility of schools to meet the unique needs of their students.  Pearson’s full testimony can be found here.

Photo credit: SMART DC

PCSB testified in two hearings at the DC City Council regarding truancy reform initiatives and the Language Access for Education Amendment Act of 2015.