Votes on Education Governance Report

Washington, D.C.— The D.C. State Board of Education (State Board) will hold its monthly public meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. The public meeting will be held in person in the Old Council Chambers in the Marion S. Barry, Jr. Building (441 4th Street NW) and streamed live via District Knowledge Network (DKN). Materials for the State Board meetings can be found on our website. 

At their November 2020 Public Meeting, the State Board hosted a panel on Special Education in the Time of Covid-19, where experts expressed concerns and challenges that special education students and their families faced during the pandemic, and later, passed a resolution on Supporting Students with Disabilities.  As a follow-up, the State Board has invited a panel to speak about special education and lessons learned during the early years of the pandemic and solutions to specific problems in special education.

Confirmed panelists include: 

• Africa Battle, Special Education Teacher, Roosevelt High School
• Maria Blaeuer, Director of Programs and Outreach, Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.
• Julie Camerata, Executive Director, DC Special Education Cooperative
• Jessica Gonzalez, Director, InclusiveDC (SchoolTalk)
• LaJoy Johnson-Law, Ward 8 Parent

Over the last two years, the State Board has sought to understand the strengths and areas of improvement for the D.C. education system through research, community engagement, and outreach with education governance experts and other stakeholders. After passing SR22-17, Recommendations on Changes to Education Governance in the District of Columbia, the State Board will now consider its final Education Governance Report that details the community engagement process, what was learned, and suggestions to successfully implement recommendations centered around students’, educators’, and families’ experiences with the D.C. education system.

The State Board will consider a vote to approve the menstrual education addendum to the District’s Health Education Standards developed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. The State Board recognizes the importance of providing all District students with an understanding of the biology, products, and social stigma around menstruation and equipping them with the skills to communicate, make effective decisions, and advocate around the rights and health of menstruators.

The State Board has created committee structures enabling it to strategize and coordinate efforts around its priorities for the year. The State Board will vote on a resolution to amend internal and external committee appointments.

Public Meeting Agenda

Please note that the agenda may be altered, modified, or updated without notice.

I. Call to Order

II. Announcement of a Quorum

III. Approval of the Agenda and Minutes

IV. Comments from the President of the D.C. State Board of Education

V. Comments from the State Superintendent of Education

VI. Special Education Panel

   a. Africa Battle, Special Education Teacher, Roosevelt High School

   b. Maria Blaeuer, Director of Programs and Outreach, Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.

   c. Julie Camerata, Executive Director, DC Special Education Cooperative

   d. Jessica Gonzalez, Director, InclusiveDC (SchoolTalk)

   e. LaJoy Johnson-Law, Ward 8 Parent

VII. Public Comment

         i. Tarek Massarani? 

        ii. Yolonda Corbett

       iii. Andrea Jones? 

       iv. Elizabeth Mitchell

        v. Lois Hollan

       vi. Dina Tomic

      vii. Karla Reid Witt

       ix. Sheila Cart

        x. Michelle Parrish

       xi. Lindsay Jones Renaud

      xii. Valencia Mohammed

     xiii. Renee Davis

     xiv. Laura Fuchs

      xv. Scott Goldstein

     xvi. Micheal Stevens

    xvii. Karen Kassekert

    xviii. Elizabeth Reddick 

      xix. Written Testimony

VIII. Administrative Items (VOTE)

        i. SR23-2, To Approve the Menstrual Education Amendments to the District of Columbia's State Health Education Standards

       ii. SR23-3, On Amending Committees and Appointments

       iii. Education Governance Report

IX. New Business

X. Adjournment

About the D.C. State Board of Education

The D.C. State Board of Education is an independent agency within the Government of the District of Columbia that advises the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the District’s state education agency. The State Board is made up of nine elected representatives, each representing their respective wards, with one member representing the District at large, and four appointed student representatives. The State Board approves statewide education policies and sets academic standards, while OSSE oversees education within the District and manages federal education funding. More information about the SBOE can be found at sboe.dc.gov.

The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education serves as an external, impartial resource for current and prospective public-school students and their parents or guardians in the resolution of complaints and concerns regarding public education in a way that furthers the students’ best interest. The Ombudsman’s Office uses conflict resolution strategies, including coaching, facilitation, and mediation, to assist families and schools experiencing disagreement or conflict.

The Office of the Student Advocate supports students, parents, and families in their advocacy through parent education, one-on-one coaching, resource supports, and trainings in order to amplify the voices of families and communities in processes and decision-making; to provide avenues for access to resources and understanding systems; and to support power families and communities already possess. Contact the Office of the Student Advocate Monday through Friday at (202) 741-4692 for questions or support with charter and neighborhood schools.

Contact: Milayo Olufemi

202-710-4641

[email protected]