Since Washington, D.C., is a semi-autonomous non-state, Congress has jurisdiction over the city and passed the Omnibus Consolidated Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996.
[1] According to the D.C. Public Charter School Board's website, The PCSB regularly evaluates D.C. public charter schools for academic results, compliance with applicable local and federal laws and fiscal management, and holds them accountable for results.
[3] As of May 2019, members of the PCSB are Rick Cruz (chair), Saba Bireda (vice-chair), Steve Bumbaugh (Treasurer), Ricarda Ganjam (Secretary), Naomi Shelton, and Lea Crusey.
[3][6] Some attribute charter schools' relative success in the district to their ability to "tap into private donors, bankers and developers [which] has made it possible to fund impressive facilities, expand programs, and reduce class sizes".
[5] Charter schools have been particularly successful in educating children from low-income families, who comprise two-thirds of the District's public-school student population.
[5] This success has been attributed to charter schools' ability to experiment with a variety of educational approaches and their reliance on strategies known to help poor children academically: longer school days, summer and Saturday classes, parental involvement and a "cohesive, disciplined culture among staff members".
[7] Charter schools are publicly funded (receiving a sum per pupil) and are open to any resident of the District of Columbia.
In 2005, out of the thirty-four charter schools in DC only four made Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading and mathematics as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act.
[11] According to data published by the PCSB, only five out of eighteen charter high schools in D.C. made AYP in reading and math.
[13] Some opponents of charter schools argue that the de facto segregation propagated by Washington's charter schools will result in fewer opportunities for low-income and minority students to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, hindering their preparedness for higher education and the job market.