Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Aug 7, 2026

B 26-0430: Education Code Adjustments Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates District of Columbia education laws to focus on overall attendance patterns rather than just unexcused absences. It requires schools to track and report chronic absenteeism (frequent missed days) and attendance improvements after student support team referrals, replacing previous "unexcused absence" language. Key changes include moving school census deadlines from November 1 to December 15, adding chronic absenteeism metrics to reporting, and updating school enrollment and charter school references. These adjustments directly affect DC Public Schools (DCPS), public charter schools, and education research partnerships that collect attendance data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationShifts focus from punitive unexcused absences to chronic absenteeism tracking and support team interventions, promoting holistic attendance improvement and student support in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Health

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 1, 2025

B 26-0072: Holding School Budgets Harmless During Modernizations Amendment Act of 2025

This bill amends the Schools First in Budgeting Amendment Act of 2022 to prevent budget cuts for District of Columbia public schools temporarily relocating to "swing spaces" during facility modernizations or capital projects. It directly affects schools undergoing construction, which often face enrollment declines (up to 18% in recent cases) during relocation, triggering budget reductions based on enrollment metrics. The key mechanism adds a new provision requiring that no budget decrease be made when a school uses a swing space due to a modernization or capital project on-site. This ensures schools maintain their full operating budget during the temporary transition period, preserving resources for staff and students. The bill does not change enrollment-based budgeting rules but creates a specific exception for modernization-related relocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents budget cuts for DC public schools during facility relocations, protecting education funding during construction projects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents budget cuts for schools relocating during construction, protecting funding during facility modernizations to avoid enrollment-based reductions.95% confidence

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 27, 2026

B 26-0349: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily requires the District of Columbia Department of Corrections to provide special education services (under IDEA and DC law) to young adults with disabilities aged 18-21 who are held in its secure facilities during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. It amends two existing laws to add this obligation as a new duty for the Corrections Department during these specific school terms. The requirement expires 225 days after the bill takes effect, making it a short-term measure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates special education services in corrections facilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism among young adults in custody.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates special education services for incarcerated young adults with disabilities, expanding educational access under IDEA and DC law during specified school years.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Nov 28, 2025

PR 26-0345: Early Childhood Academy Public Charter School Revenue Bonds Project Approval Resolution of 2025

This bill authorizes the District of Columbia to issue up to $15 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to refinance costs for the Early Childhood Academy Public Charter School. The funds will specifically cover the school’s facility at 885 Barnaby Street SE in Ward 8, including refinancing prior debt used for acquiring and renovating its 37,700-square-foot building, construction costs, and related expenses. The bonds are structured so the District bears no financial liability - proceeds will be loaned directly to the school, and the District won’t use its taxing power or credit. This resolution is procedural, approving the bond issuance under the Home Rule Act without creating new public obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes tax-exempt bonds for public school facility refinancing, enabling tax-efficient funding of essential education program without district liability.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes $15M in bonds to refinance school facility costs (acquisition, renovation, construction), directly funding K-12 infrastructure for a public charter school.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Choice

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Sep 19, 2025

B 26-0073: Heads Up! Distraction-Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025 (now known as "Disconnect Act of 2025")

The "Disconnect Act of 2025" requires District of Columbia public schools to adopt a policy banning students from using personal wireless devices (such as cell phones, smartwatches, and gaming devices) during the school day. Exceptions include using devices for educational purposes with teacher permission, during health emergencies, or as part of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP). The policy must provide secure device storage and ensure violations do not result in classroom removal. It aims to reduce distractions and support learning, citing low academic performance in recent district assessments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans student devices during school to create distraction-free learning environments, directly enhancing classroom focus and educational outcomes in K-12 settings.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans personal wireless devices in schools, restricting technology access during class time to reduce distractions90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers Telecommunications

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 3, 2025

PR 26-0296: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Second Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends special education services for incarcerated youth with disabilities, directly supporting rehabilitation programs within corrections to reduce recidivism.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends special education services for incarcerated young adults via DOC contract, ensuring continued educational access and compliance with FAPE requirements under federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 10, 2025

B 26-0405: Youth Financial Literacy Pilot Amendment Act of 2025

The Youth Financial Literacy Pilot Amendment Act of 2025 would establish a three-year pilot program providing a $50 weekly direct cash payment to eligible high school students in District of Columbia public or charter schools with over 40% at-risk students. The District’s education office would contract an evaluator to administer the stipends, enroll students (with parental consent), and study impacts on wellbeing, attendance, and financial literacy. Participating schools must commit to full-year enrollment, and the program requires annual reports on outcomes to the education office and Council. This is a concrete policy change focused on direct financial support for students, not on legislative procedures or commemorative actions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $50 weekly cash payments to at-risk high school students to improve attendance, wellbeing, and financial literacy, directly advancing educational access and student support.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jul 1, 2025

B 26-0291: Let Students Attend Kindergarten Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This emergency bill modifies District of Columbia school attendance rules for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. It directly affects two groups: (1) children who moved to DC after their home state's kindergarten cutoff date but before September 30, and (2) children under age 6 enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs. The bill permits parents or guardians to enroll these students in kindergarten without penalty, and requires DC Public Schools to notify families about eligibility. It also ensures students who relied on prior school communications about feeder patterns (like moving between schools) aren't disadvantaged by missed lotteries.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands kindergarten access for displaced children and pre-K enrollees by removing enrollment barriers, directly increasing educational access per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Sep 19, 2025

B 26-0062: Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025

The Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025 requires newly elected or appointed members of public charter school boards in Washington, D.C., to complete a no-cost training program within 90 days of joining and annually thereafter. The training covers key areas including financial management, school operations, governance, academic programs, personnel, and updates to federal and District laws. It mandates coordination between the Public Charter School Board and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to ensure boards have the necessary skills for effective oversight. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, aiming to improve governance and prevent financial lapses that have led to school closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates training for charter school boards on governance, finance, and operations to improve school management and oversight, strengthening educational governance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 18, 2025

B 26-0210: Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates educational services for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism in corrections.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates FAPE for incarcerated youth with disabilities, expanding educational access for a vulnerable population under federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education