AJE Staff Attorneys Dara Gold and Nadiya Pope recently testified at the Council about what we are seeing in our work with DC families.
Dara Gold shared our support for clear staff-to-student ratios in all DC schools and grade levels, our concerns about a lack of guidance from OSSE defining the “general education setting” and the delivery of specialized instruction. We also shared with the Council our ongoing concerns regarding transportation for students with disabilities and the lack of language access at OSSE’s Parent Resource Center for parents who need an interpreter.
Nadiya Pope’s testimony focused on the need to address the root causes of chronic absenteeism and truancy – specifically ensuring that schools are safe places for students and that parents have clear options available to them that isn’t the case. Nadiya shared the frustration and lack of options available to families of students with more significant needs who may need a discretionary transfer (also known as a victim transfer) within DCPS. These families often don’t find that the charter sector is a viable option for them, especially midyear, further limiting their choice.
Finally, AJE Director of Programs and Outreach Maria Blaeuer testified in support of increased access to Out of School Time programs and suggested some changes that better protect the ability of students with disabilities to participate in those programs.
We have included all of our testimony below.
11.20.24 – Dara Gold – AJE Testimony – D.C. Council – Committee of the Whole Hearing
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