Why Parents Should Be Aware of Residency Fraud

UPDATE: Please report residency fraud issues to OSSE. 

DC public charter schools provide tuition-free public education to residents of the District of Columbia. Students who do not live in the District and attend charter schools withoutpaying tuition are committing residency fraud.

Are there ramifications to committing Residency Fraud?

On February 7, 2012, the DC Council passed the District of Columbia Public Schools and Public Charter School Student Residency Fraud Prevention Amendment Act of 2012. This legislation amends the District of Columbia Non-Resident Tuition Act to increase fines for residency verification and caregiver status verification violations from $500 to $2,000 to establish a hotline for reporting student residency fraud, and to require schools to post the hotline number.

How is Residency Verified?

All parents and caregivers of public school students in the District of Columbia are required to provide proof of their residency in the District or pay tuition. These Guidelines are intended to provide school staff, parents, and others with clear directions for implementation of Residency Rules. Read more about how to establish residency here.
 
What is PCSB’s Residency Fraud Investigation Process?

PSCB investigates residency fraud cases for the charter schools. For suspected residency fraud cases, PCSB will provide information received from any of the above methods to an external licensed DC investigator, who will conduct an investigation. At the conclusion of each investigation, the investigator will inform PCSB whether the parent or caregiver is a resident of the District of Columbia. PCSB will inform the school and the parent or caregiver of the results.
 
If the investigator determines that the parent or caregiver is not a resident of the District of Columbia, the parent or caregiver will be provided notice of his or her right to appeal the finding within 10 business days of the finding. The decision regarding a parent or caregiver appeal will be rendered by a team of PCSB representatives, including the General Counsel, and a representative from the school.

What do I do if I suspect residency fraud is being committed? 

If a member of the public has information on a non-District resident receiving District-funded public education free of charge, you may report your findings in the following ways:

1. Call the hotline, (202) 727-7224
2. Call (202) 328-2660
3. Email [email protected]
4. Fill out a residency fraud form online

Information on suspected residency fraud can be provided anonymously.

 

 

 Still have questions or concerns about Residency Fraud? Let us know in the comments.

 

 

UPDATE: Please report residency fraud issues to OSSE.