The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has opened an investigation into the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) over concerns about special education services. The probe, announced March 5, will assess whether the district is failing to evaluate or reevaluate students with disabilities, leaving families to rely on due process complaints to secure services. [K-12 Dive; WUSA9]
Why it Matters
- D.C. has one of the highest rates of special education complaints in the country.
- The investigation is among the first major actions by Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
- OCR will determine whether DCPS’ handling of special education violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
By the Numbers
- 151.4 due process complaints per 10,000 students in D.C. (2022-23), far above the national average.
- 206.7 special education dispute resolution activities per 10,000 students in D.C., second only to New York.
- 245 due process complaints per 10,000 students in D.C. (2018-19) vs. a national average of 30.
What’s Next
OCR’s investigation could lead to mandated corrective actions for DCPS, setting a precedent for how special education disputes are handled. The findings may push other districts with similar challenges to reevaluate their special education services.
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