4410510 Public Hearing Notice on B20-314, “Parent and School Empowerment Act of 2013” and B20-315, “Public Education Governance Improvement Act of 2013”

COUNCILMEMBER DAVID A. CATANIA

CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING

On

Bill 20-314 “Parent and School Empowerment Act of 2013”

Bill 20-315 “Public Education Governance Improvement Act of 2013”

on

Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 412 (for Government witnesses)

and

Monday, July 8, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Hearing Room 123 (for Public witnesses)

 

John A. Wilson Building

1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20004

 

Councilmember David A. Catania, Chairman of the Committee on Education, announces the scheduling of a Public Hearing by the Committee on Education on Bill 20-314, the Parent and School Empowerment Act of 2013 and Bill 20-315, the Public Education Governance Improvement Act of 2013.  The hearing for public witnesses will take place on Monday, July 8, 2013 at 9 a.m. in room 123 of the John A. Wilson Building.  The hearing for government witnesses will take place on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in room 412.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to provide public witnesses an opportunity to testify on bill 20-314 which would amend the Ombudsman for Public Education Establishment Act of 2007 to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the Ombudsman for Public Education and provide for complaint resolution services within the Office of the Ombudsman for students and parents of District of Columbia public schools.  Further, the bill would establish an Office of the Student Advocate to represent students and parents on issues regarding public education in the District of Columbia. 

 

Additionally, public witnesses will have an opportunity to testify on bill 20-315 which would amend the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000 to establish a 4-year term for the State Superintendent of Education. The Act would also authorize the State Superintendent to grant waivers of existing regulations for purposes of improving student achievement.  The Act would also amend the District of Columbia School Reform Act of 1995 to allow for the payment of up to one percent in administrative fees to the Public Charter School Board and would set removal criteria for Public Charter School Board members.  Further, the Act would amend the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007 to direct the State Board of Education to issue an annual review of the performance of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education and to allow the State Board of Education to initiate policy recommendations.  Finally, the bill would direct the Public Charter School Board and the State Board of Education to issue an annual report on the state of education in the District of Columbia.

 

Those who wish to testify are asked to contact Mr. Jamaal Jordan with the Committee on Education at [phone] or via email at [e-mail] and furnish their name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Wednesday, July 3, 2013.  Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony.  If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record.  Copies of written statements should be submitted to the Committee on Education, Council of the District of Columbia, Suite 119 of the John A. Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004.  The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2013.