Committee of the Whole Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING on B25-847 “Advancing Equity in Special Education Protocols Amendment Act of 2024” and Oversight of Education for Students with Special Needs on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. Room 412 (Track B) John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 DC Council Website (www.dccouncil.gov) Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing before the Committee of the Whole on Bill 25-847 “Advancing Equity in Special Education Protocols Amendment Act of 2024” and Oversight of Education for Students with Disabilities. The public hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. The purpose of Bill 24-847 is to provide, to a student with an individualized education program, the right to remain in his or her initial placement feeder pattern school unless the programs available in the feeder pattern cannot support the student’s needs. This provision is intended to prevent Location of Service notifications from DC Public Schools to families that move a student from their selected feeder pattern. Additionally, this bill would require the Executive to promulgate rules that establish staff-to-student ratio standards for self-contained special education classrooms. This hearing will also examine academic achievement, and barriers to that achievement, for students with special needs. The Committee also encourages testimony that also discusses special education in the District more broadly. Those who wish to testify must register using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 18, 2024. Testimony is limited to three minutes. Witnesses who anticipate needing spoken language interpretation, or require sign language interpretation, are requested to inform the Committee office of the need as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the proceeding by emailing cow@dccouncil.gov. We will make every effort to fulfill timely requests, although alternatives may be offered. Requests received in less than five business days may not be fulfilled. Witnesses will receive instructions on how to participate by Zoom prior to the hearing. If you have additional questions, please get in touch with Bijan Verlin, Legislative Policy Advisor, at (202) 724-4865 or bverlin@dccouncil.gov. Public witnesses will participate in-person or virtually via the Internet on the Zoom Video Conference platform. Those who wish to submit testimony for the record may do so by using the Council’s Hearing Management System at https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings or by leaving a voicemail at (202) 430-6948 (up to 3 minutes which will be transcribed). Testimony will be publicly accessible upon Committee review. The record will close at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.