Charter School Choice
Does the state have charter schools?
Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?
A public charter must be organized as a non-profit. It is unclear whether school management organizations must be non-profit:
"The term 'school management organization' means an entity that a public charter school identifies in its charter petition or petition for charter revision with which the public charter school contracts to provide management or oversight services regarding the school's expenditures, administration, personnel, or instructional methods."
Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?
No more than 10 charter petitions can be approved by any chartering authority in any given year. If one authorizer has not reached 10 approvals by the end of the year, other authorizers may approve, as long as the total number of approvals does not exceed 20.
38–1802.03.(i)(2)(A-B): Process for approving or denying public charter school petitions.
Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?
A student attending a public charter school shall be eligible for reduced fares on the Metrobus and Metrorail Transit System on the same terms and conditions as students attending TPS.
Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?
We did not find information about charter school teacher certification requirements in Washington, D.C. statutes. However, Education Commission of the States states that Washington D.C. does not have teacher certification requirements.
Virtual School Choice
Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?
We did not find anything about virtual schools in Washington, D.C. statutes. Education Commission of the States states that D.C. law does not allow for virtual charter schools.
Are virtual schools required to track attendance?
Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?
Private School Choice
Does the state have voucher programs?
Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?
Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?
Religious schools are eligible to participate in the voucher program.
38–1853.08.(d): Nondiscrimination and other requirements for participating schools.
Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?
The Secretary of Education may not limit the number of eligible students receiving scholarships.
Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?
Participating schools shall comply with any testing requirements determined to be necessary for evaluation.
38–1853.08.(h): Nondiscrimination and other requirements for participating schools.