On June 22, DC Public Schools (DCPS) released draft regulations and policies regarding attendance, student promotion, secondary grading, and graduation for public comment. Throughout this past winter and spring, DCPS engaged students, families, and school staff through more than 20 public engagement events and online surveys. The proposed changes, which will go into effect in School Year 2018-2019, were created to ensure all students have equitable access to an excellent education.

The proposed revisions reflect a commitment to empowering students and families on their paths to graduation. Examples include:

• increased flexibility with school schedules that will allow DCPS to build school days that meet the needs of specific school communities;
• a system of early-warning notifications that will give students an opportunity to get back on track, and the removal of automatic grade reductions and failures (for 10 absences) that will create new opportunities for students to make-up work and demonstrate mastery;
• the grade appeals process will be streamlined to ensure timely responses for families, reduce administrative burden, and ensure good stewardship of funds; and
• punitive consequences for highly mobile students will be replaced with opportunities to make up work and show mastery when transferring into a new school.

DCPS collected feedback on current policies this spring and determined that changes were necessary to both regulations and policies to better meet the needs of school communities.  DCPS will seek feedback from the community on a rolling basis through the public comment period from June 22 to July 22, 2018.

Everyone has a part to play in supporting our students toward graduation and we want to make sure that all voices are heard in this process. Please review the policies in this form and submit your feedback by July 22. All feedback will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/dcpsfeedback . 

After answering the administrative questions below, proceed to the second step of this survey by pressing 'continue' to submit your comments.