On June 4, 2013, Councilmember Catania will introduce seven education bills in the Council of the District of Columbia. Collectively, the legislation provides a blueprint for the future of public education in the District. They focus on the topics of funding, school accountability, assessments, facilities, parental engagement, and governance.
Why is this legislation necessary?
1. On the current trajectory, it may take the District 30 years to reach its 75 percent proficiency goals in math and reading. (see chart)
2. Achievement at the lowest 40 performing District schools has declined over the last several years. (see chart)
3. The District maintains the lowest high school graduation rate in the nation.(see chart)
Download and learn more about seven bills below.
- Fair Student Funding and School-Based Budget Act of 2013
- Individual School Accountability Act of 2013
- Focused Student Achievement Act of 2013
- Unified Public Lottery Act of 2013
- Comprehensive Planning and Utilization of School Facilities Act of 2013
- Parent and Student Empowerment Act of 2013
- Public Education Governance Improvement Act of 2013
The legislation is the result of months of work by the members and staff of the Committee on Education in consultation with the education practice at international law firm Hogan Lovells LLP. [Read more about the Committee's work with Hogan Lovells here.]
In addition to over 50 school visits and 20 parent meetings, the Committee on Education conducted stakeholder meetings with the following individuals and organizations in preparing this legislation:
- Chairman Phil Mendelson
- Councilmember Marion Barry [Member, Committee on Education]
- Councilmember David Grasso [Member, Committee on Education]
- Councilmember Tommy Wells [Member, Committee on Education]
- DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson
- Office of the State Superintendent of Education
- Laura Slover (President) and Mark Jones (Vice-President), D.C. State Board of Education
- Jesse Rauch, Executive Director, D.C. State Board of Education
- Scott Pearson, Executive Director, Public Charter School Board
- Skip McCoy, Chair, Public Charter School Board
- Robert Cane, Friends of Choice in Urban Schools
- Nathan Saunders, Washington Teachers Union
- Katherine Bradley, Citibridge Foundation
- D.C. Principals Working Group
- D.C. Teachers Working Group
Now its time for you, the public, to weigh-in. Councilmember Catania would like to hear your thoughts on how to improve and perfect this legislation over the coming weeks. Please use this website to submit your feedback and suggestions on the legislation. Thank you.
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