Education Forward DC’s Managing Partner Margie Yeager delivered the following testimony to the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee of the Whole at a October 22,2025 hearing on Public Charter School Review and Renewal in the District.
Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the Council of the District of Columbia. Thank you for the opportunity to speak before you today. My name is Margie Yeager and, in addition to being a Ward 3 resident and the parent of three public school students in the District, I am the Managing Partner of Education Forward DC.
Ed Forward DC accelerates the work of visionary education leaders to foster a city of high-quality, equitable public schools for every DC student and family. We provide grants across the city, offer advisory support to our grantees, and coordinate work across sectors, schools, and organizations to deliver excellent educational experiences for students.
I appreciate the opportunity to testify today on the charter review process for public charter schools in the District of Columbia.
The Public Charter School Board’s charter review and renewal process is the core responsibility of the PCSB. Public charter school autonomy coupled with the strong accountability from an independent authorizer are pillars of the education progress the District has experienced over the past two decades, and the consequences of how this process works ripple through our entire education system.
The stakes of this process are incredibly high, not only for the leaders and educators whose work is on the line, but especially for the public school students in DC who deserve access to high-quality education that prepares them to thrive.
We need a process that is transparent. Families, educators, and school leaders should understand the criteria for renewal decisions and have confidence that those standards are applied consistently and fairly.
We need a process that is predictable and realistic. Schools should know what is expected of them well in advance and should be provided regular updates on progress toward charter goals, allowing leaders adequate time to correct course, improve, and make well-informed decisions about the future of their school–this could prevent last-minute and hasty decisions of early closure.”
We need timely decisions. Decisions on renewal should be made early enough to allow students and families time to meaningfully explore their options and participate in My School DC. Late decisions force families into rushed, high-stakes choices without adequate time for school visits, information gathering, or thoughtful consideration. Additionally, schools best suited to meet a student’s needs may have reached capacity with extensive waitlists, effectively removing any meaningful options. In such instances, students may be forced into schools that do not serve their needs as well as their original school. When this happens, trust in our system of accountability is damaged.
Despite the challenges of last year’s charter review cycle, we appreciate PCSB’s reflection and commitment to several notable changes moving forward. These changes include:
- Starting the review process earlier in the year, ensuring that any potential school closure decisions occur before the lottery closes
- Providing earlier communication to schools and boards regarding probable outcomes, while extending the timeframe for schools to review and submit feedback on the draft review report
- Giving schools an opportunity to provide a response that will be published along with the review report, allowing space to share a fuller picture of the school’s story over the last five years
We believe these changes will strengthen this year’s charter review process and appreciate that LEA leader feedback is being incorporated.
We’re especially looking forward to the upcoming Mergers and Acquisitions Policy which has the potential to preserve school communities, retain experienced educators, and provide continuity for students while addressing performance concerns. While closure must remain a tool in PCSB’s oversight arsenal, mergers and acquisitions should equally be considered as viable pathways—ultimately, the approach chosen should be whatever best serves students and families while strengthening our education sector.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
