Education (Special Education)

This resolution declares an emergency to extend the Department of Corrections (DOC) as the District agency responsible for providing free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal and local law to eligible young adults (ages 18+ with prior disability identification) in DOC custody. It specifically authorizes DOC to continue its contract with Maya Angelou Public Charter Schools for special education services through the 2025-2026 school year, following a temporary arrangement that expired after 2022-2023. The resolution avoids disruption in mandated special education services for incarcerated youth while permanent legislation (Bills 25-309 and 25-461) remains under review. This is a procedural extension, not a policy change, to maintain existing service delivery during legislative deliberation.

This bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal law to individuals with disabilities aged 18 and older who are in its custody during the 2024-2025 school year. It amends two existing laws (the Corrections Act of 1946 and the Corrections Oversight Improvement Act of 2022) to designate the Department of Corrections as the agency responsible for this education provision. The key mechanism is a new mandate specifying that DOC must offer these services in secure facilities for the duration of students' eligibility under IDEA and District law. This directly affects young adults with disabilities in DC's correctional facilities who would otherwise lack access to mandated educational services.

This bill ensures students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in Washington, D.C., can remain in their initial school feeder pattern (the typical neighborhood school path) unless that pattern lacks a program to meet their IEP needs. If a student must be moved outside their feeder pattern, schools must provide written reasons to parents and the IEP team explaining why the current location couldn't support their needs. The bill also mandates staff-to-student ratio standards for self-contained special education classrooms and requires schools to issue written notices within five days if ratios are exceeded, detailing additional resources allocated to meet student needs. It directly affects D.C. students with IEPs, their families, special education teachers, and school administrators.

This bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide free appropriate public education (FAPE) under federal and local law to individuals with disabilities aged 18 and older who are incarcerated in its secure facilities. It specifically mandates this service during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years for young adults in custody until they reach the end of their eligibility under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill amends two existing laws (the Corrections Act and Corrections Oversight Act) to add this requirement as a new provision. It directly affects young adults with disabilities in DC's correctional facilities who were previously not explicitly covered under these education provisions. The amendment is classified as an emergency measure with a 90-day effective period.

This temporary bill requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide special education services under federal and local law to youth aged 18 and older with disabilities who are held in secure correctional facilities. It mandates these services during the 2024-2025 school year, covering all eligible individuals until their special education eligibility ends under federal and District law. The requirement applies specifically to those detained in secure facilities, not general custody. The bill expires 225 days after implementation.