District of Columbia School Reform Proposals: Congress's Possible Role in the Charter Amendment Process

Publication Date: February 2007

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

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Abstract:

On January 5, 2007, the newly elected mayor of the District of Columbia, Adrian Fenty, released his legislative proposal to transfer administrative and budgetary control of the District's public schools to the Office of the mayor from the Board of Education. The mayoral takeover would require a change in the District's home rule charter and congressional review and approval. This report will (1) outline the two legislative options (amending the charter by referendum or by an act of Congress) available to the mayor as he seeks to win approval of his public education reform proposal; and (2) identify what role Congress could play in the outcome of each option.