Education (Early Childhood)

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jun 26, 2026

B 26-0706: Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment Flexibility Act of 2026

This bill allows parents in the District of Columbia more flexibility regarding when their children must start school and which grade they can enroll in. It permits minors born between June 16 and September 30 to defer kindergarten enrollment for one year if they remain enrolled in a licensed childcare program or a pre-kindergarten class. Additionally, the legislation expands enrollment options for children born during this period, enabling them to apply for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, or kindergarten depending on their specific age at the start of the school year. To support these changes, the District must update its public school lottery application process to accommodate these new enrollment categories.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands enrollment flexibility and access to Pre-K and Kindergarten for specific age groups, enhancing educational opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

Track

introduced · District of Columbia · Legislature Oct 21, 2025

B 26-0434: Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily amends the Day Care Policy Act to establish new minimum salary requirements for early childhood educators in District of Columbia child development facilities. Starting January 2026, facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund must pay assistant and lead teachers at least the specified rates based on their credentials (e.g., $48,736/year for CDA-level assistant teachers). The bill requires annual salary reviews using the Chained CPI index and comparisons to regional salaries, with reports due to the Council by February 1 each year. It applies directly to child care facilities participating in the Pay Equity Program and affects over 1,000 early childhood educators in DC.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes minimum salaries for early childhood educators ($48,736+ for CDA-level) and mandates annual inflation-adjusted raises, directly strengthening teacher compensation and retention in early education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes new minimum salary requirements for early childhood educators, directly increasing wage standards under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Employment Discrimination

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 Nov 21, 2025

B 26-0433: Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates minimum pay scales for early childhood educators in Washington D.C. starting January 2026, directly affecting child care facilities and their assistant/lead teachers. It establishes specific annual salary tables based on credentials (e.g., $48,736/year for CDA-certified assistant teachers, $71,010/year for bachelor’s-level lead teachers). Child care facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund must use those monies to meet these new minimums. The law also requires annual reports analyzing salary competitiveness, regional comparisons, and funding needs to adjust future pay scales.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases pay for early childhood educators via mandated salary tables ($48k-$71k) and requires use of dedicated funds to meet new minimums, directly supporting teacher compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes mandated minimum pay scales for educators, directly increasing wages based on credentials and requiring fund usage to meet new standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Employment Discrimination

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Feb 7, 2025

B 26-0004: Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Congressional Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates minimum pay scales for early childhood educators in Washington, D.C., requiring child development facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund to meet new salary standards starting January 2025. It directly affects facilities that contract with the Department of Health to provide early childhood education services. Key provisions set annual minimums: $51,006 for assistant teachers with a child development associate credential (CDA), $54,262 for those with an associate degree or 60 college credits, and $75,103 for lead teachers with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. The bill amends the 1979 Day Care Policy Act to align pay with credential levels and takes effect after emergency approval, with transitional requirements for October-December 2024.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates higher minimum pay for early childhood educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and equity in early education services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets higher minimum wages for early childhood educators, directly increasing compensation standards for workers in this sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Employment Discrimination

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

B 26-0278: Education Reports Simplification Amendment Act of 2025

The Education Reports Simplification Amendment Act of 2025 ends outdated and duplicative reporting requirements for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). It removes specific reports like annual real estate portfolio reviews and separate student enrollment censuses, and combines overlapping reports such as those on pre-kindergarten program quality. The bill also adjusts deadlines - for example, moving pre-k program reports from December 30 to May 15 - to align with when data is actually available. This reduces administrative burden so DCPS and OSSE can focus more on student outcomes rather than redundant paperwork.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves redundant administrative reporting burdens for DCPS and OSSE, streamlining operations to improve efficiency without altering funding or curriculum.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

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

B 26-0292: Let Students Attend Kindergarten Temporary Amendment Act of 2025

This bill temporarily changes kindergarten enrollment rules for District of Columbia students during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years. It exempts children who moved to DC after their previous state's kindergarten cutoff date but before September 30 from truancy rules, and allows enrollment in kindergarten for children under age 6 in public, private, or parochial pre-K programs. It also ensures students previously told they must skip kindergarten (or enrolled as first graders without it) can enroll in kindergarten if their parent or guardian requests it, and guarantees feeder-pattern students who completed 2024-2025 at Hardy Middle School can choose their 2025-2026 high school. The changes expire 225 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands kindergarten access for DC students who moved after cutoff dates, allowing enrollment without truancy penalties or skipping kindergarten.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

in committee · District of Columbia · Legislature Jan 9, 2026

B 26-0488: Apprenticeships and Credentials as Pathways to Prosperity Act of 2025

This bill creates a program offering zero-interest forgivable loans to cover tuition and living expenses for District residents pursuing apprenticeships or credentials in high-growth industries like technology, healthcare, construction, and early childhood education. It directly affects D.C. high school graduates and other residents facing financial barriers to training, providing support for tuition, childcare, on-the-job training, and living costs. Participants must live and work in the District after completing their program to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program is funded by a permanent Pathways to Prosperity Fund established under the bill.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides zero-interest forgivable loans for apprenticeships/credentials in high-growth fields, expanding educational access and reducing financial barriers for District residents pursuing training.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides forgivable loans for apprenticeships/credentials in high-growth industries, removing financial barriers for workers. This directly advances employment pathways and workforce development, aligning with labor & employment support indic...90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly lists technology as a high-growth industry for apprenticeship funding, directly advancing workforce development in tech through zero-interest loans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

Track

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

PR 26-0246: Let Students Attend Kindergarten Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2025

This emergency resolution amends District of Columbia school enrollment policies to ensure children who turn five before September 30 (but after their home state's cutoff) can attend kindergarten when moving to DC, and prevents families from being reported for truancy if children attend private or parochial pre-kindergarten programs. It specifically requires DC Public Schools to permit kindergarten enrollment for these students instead of forcing them into first grade, and stops the misapplication of truancy rules against children in quality pre-k programs. The resolution directly affects families with children in private/parochial pre-k programs and families relocating to DC during the school year. It addresses immediate policy changes to align with existing age cutoffs and prevent educational disruption for affected students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands kindergarten access for children turning five before Sept 30 by requiring DCPS to permit kindergarten enrollment instead of forcing first grade, preventing truancy reports for pre-K attendance, thus increasing educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

Track

signed · District of Columbia · Legislature Apr 10, 2026

B 26-0176: Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Amendment Act of 2025

This bill updates minimum salary requirements for early childhood educators in Washington, D.C., directly affecting child development facilities receiving funds from the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund. Starting January 1, 2025, facilities must pay assistant teachers a minimum of $51,006/year (for CDA credential holders) and lead teachers $54,262/year (for CDA holders), with higher rates for advanced credentials. The law establishes specific salary tables based on educator credentials and college coursework in early childhood education. These changes implement the "Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Program" to align compensation with qualifications.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates higher minimum salaries for early childhood educators, directly supporting teacher compensation and funding through the Pay Equity Fund.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates higher minimum wages ($51k-$54k) for early childhood educators based on credentials, directly advancing wage standards in labor & employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Employment Discrimination