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Transparency Hub

The DC PCSB is dedicated to providing accessible information for families and the community. Starting in SY 2025-26, our newly approved Public Information Policy will also require schools to share similar information on their websites. Explore the links below to find answers to frequently asked questions from school leaders, families, and community members.

Disclaimer:  Information available on this page is submitted by public charter schools and then reviewed and posted by DC PCSB.

 

UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS 

General Information about Public Charter Schools

Learn more about a school's mission, charter goals, academic calendar, students, employees and more on the school's profile page.
View a School's Profile

School's Annual Reports

The school's annual report to DC PCSB, contain: detailed information about each school and its activities; its report on goals attainment, key data, including average, minimum and maximum teacher salaries; School academic calendar; Student handbook, include individual school's disciplinary policies, high school course offerings and graduation requirements (if applicable)


View School Annual Reports

ACADEMIC OVERSIGHT 

Overview of ASPIRE

DC PCSB uses ASPIRE, our revised academic evaluation system, to evaluate public charter schools.
Learn more.

Results of DC PCSB's Qualitative Site Reviews for each school, showing results from in-depth classroom observations

We conduct reviews to provide families, teachers, and school administrative leaders another source of information to measure achievement and identify areas for improvement.
View Qualitative Site Reviews

Information about a School's Charter

A charter is the contract between DC PCSB and individual public charter schools which lays out how that school will operate. A school's charter includes: mission, grades/ages served, charter goals and student academic achievement expectations, graduation requirements (if applicable), Board of Trustee bylaws, enrollment ceiling (by year, for expanding schools), Management Agreement (if applicable).
View Charter Agreements

FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT 

Financial Monitoring List & Citation of Fiscal Concern

The Monitoring List is the first escalation step taken by DC PCSB to track public charter LEAs that show signs of financial instability. Public charter LEAs are placed on this Monitoring List for a combination of factors like low cash reserves, high debt ratios, or issues with budget management. The Citations of Fiscal Concern list includes formal citations issued to LEAs for various issues, such as material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, large variances, consistently late submissions, or instances of fraud or theft.
View List and Citations

School Budgets

School's submit budgets to DC PCSB for the 12-month period (July 1-June 30). The annual budget outlines both the income and expenditures that are expected to be received and paid over the coming year.
View School Budgets

School Audited Financial Statement

Each year, DC PCSB conducts a comprehensive assessment of finances and operations at individual DC Public Charter Schools' finances.
View Fiscal Audits

School's Federal Tax Returns (990s)

School's submit this tax return form that nonprofits use to report their charitable receipts for the year. A form 990 is to be used by any 501(c) organization.
View 990s

Breakdown of how schools spend their money

This includes the percent allocated in four categories: Occupancy, Salaries, General Expenses, and Student Support.
View School Financials

Financial Analysis Reports (FAR)

These reports contains an analysis of each public charter school's fiscal health, highlighting areas of financial weakness; details of all not-for-profit and for-profit management companies; and details of school expenditures on facilities.
View Financial Analysis Reports

At-Risk Funding Expenditures Plans

Schools report how they use at-risk funds in their schools.
View At-Risk Funding Spending

Public Charter School Contracts

Learn about public charter school contracting.
View Charter School Contracting

EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION

Annual Compliance Reporting

As part of our oversight practices, DC PCSB conducts an annual Compliance Review to ensure public charter LEAs comply with applicable policies and charter requirements.
Learn More

School Health Profiles

Schools provide information to the annual School Health Profile survey, administered by OSSE.
View School Health Profiles

DC PCSB INFORMATION

DC PCSB Policies

These policies, approved by the DC Public Charter School Board, govern DC's public charter local education agencies or LEAs.
View Policies

DC PCSB's Financial Audits

View our annual financial audit.
View DC PCSB's Audit

Budget testimony and responses to DC Council since 2013

Read testimony and answers to questions posed by DC Council to the DC PCSB during budget oversight hearings.
View Budget questions and testimonies

Oversight testimony and responses to DC Council since 2013

Every year, DC PCSB responds to questions posed by DC Council and testifies during performance oversight hearings. View responses and testimony since 2013.
View Oversight Testimony and Responses

All other testimony by DC PCSB

DC PCSB testifies before DC Council on various issues related to public education.
Read the testimony

DC PCSB's Employee Salaries

As a government agency, DC PCSB publishes employee salaries.
View DC PCSB Salaries

Listing of Parent and Alumni Leadership Council (PALC) Members

Learn more about the parent advisory council.
Meet PALC

Executive Director Search

This page is a resource for all information regarding the 2019-2020 Executive Director search.
Learn More

REPORTS & RESULTS 

DC School Report Cards

DC School Report Card includes academic attainment and proficiency, by subgroups; Discipline rates, by subgroup; Information about before & after school care and extracurricular activities; student mobility; Title I Status; teacher and health staff information; and Per Pupil Expenditures (coming this year).
Explore the DC School Report Card

School Improvement Plans

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) uses its School Transparency and Reporting (STAR) Framework to identify schools in need of improvement. Designated schools must complete a School Improvement Plan subject to DC PCSB approval. School Improvement Plans are available for public review.
View School Improvement Plans

Equity Reports

View Equity Report that includes academic performance, discipline, and mid-year withdrawal rates, in many cases broken out by subgroups. (Note that much of the information in equity reports has been replaced by OSSE's DC School Report Card, launched in 2018)
View School Equity Reports

Annual Discipline Report to DC Council

Each year, DC PCSB works with public charter local education agencies to track student attendance and disciplinary measures pursuant to the reporting requirements outlined in DC Code § 38-203(i).
Read the reports

Annual Water Testing for Lead

DC PCSB tested and installed lead filters on every drinking water source in every DC public charter school.
View Results
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