FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 12, 2012

Contact:  Jesse B Rauch, (202) 741-0884

Washington, DC – The District of Columbia State Board of Education (DCSBOE) will hold a public meeting to receive a presentation on proposed changes to Title 5A of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations regarding compulsory attendance requirements. The proposed rules are the result of the “South Capitol Street Memorial Amendment Act of 2012” and include changes to how local education agencies respond to truant and absent students.

At the same meeting, the DCSBOE will kick off a public outreach campaign by revealing its latest draft of high school graduation requirements. The proposed high school graduation requirements will be available on the DCSBOE website at www.sboe.dc.gov. Comments may be submitted for review by the Board at [email protected].

In addition to hearing from a panel of DC-CAS Reward Schools (if available), the DCSBOE will honor Board member Ted Trabue and Board member Dorothy Douglas for their exemplary service as their terms with the State Board of Education come to an end.

The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at 441 4th Street NW, in the Old Council Chambers, located on the lobby level of the building. All students, parents, and educators, and community members are invited to provide testimony.

Individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to comment at the meeting are asked to notify DCSBOE staff in advance by phone at (202) 741-0888 or by email at [email protected] and furnish their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business the Monday prior to the meeting. They should also bring fifteen (15) copies of their written statements with them to the meeting and are encouraged to submit one (1) electronic copy in advance.

The meeting will air live on District Knowledge Network (DKN) Comcast Channel 99, RCN Channel 18, and Fios Channel 12.

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