State board places special‑education framework resolution on March 18 agenda

The District of Columbia State Board of Education on March 1 agreed to place a resolution calling for a statewide framework for special‑education instructional best practices (SR 26‑3) on its March 18 public meeting agenda. Chair (speaker 2) moved to agendaize the measure and members approved it by voice vote with no opposition.

Board members framed the resolution as a first step to encourage the State Education Agency (ASE) to develop guidance and training for general‑education and special‑education staff. Representative Chang introduced the item; Representative Johnson Law and other members discussed whether the resolution should be prescriptive or framed more generally as guiding principles. Members cited North Carolina as an example of a state that has developed a statewide approach, but several said local tailoring would be needed.

Supporters said the aim is practical: increase teacher capacity to serve students with disabilities across classrooms without mandating immediate, far‑reaching requirements. Representative Williams urged outreach to ASE and to partner organizations to ensure the resolution can translate into training and supports rather than an unfunded mandate. Staff will circulate a shared draft so board members and outside stakeholders can add comments and citations ahead of the March 18 public meeting.

The chair said the resolution will be included on the March 18 agenda so the board and public can review the draft and provide feedback before final action. If members propose substantial edits after receiving stakeholder input, staff indicated the item could be reworked or held for a later meeting.