Chapter 51: District of Columbia
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Published:2023
Michael C. Petko, 2023. "District of Columbia", Funding Public Schools in the United States, Indian Country, and US Territories (Second Edition), Philip Westbrook, Eric A. Houck, R. Craig Wood, David C. Thompson
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Authorization for the District of Columbia’s (DC) education system is derived from a clause in the Home Rule Act (HRA) of 1973.1 Prior to the HRA, public schools in were governed by Congress with over 17 various government structures since 1804.2
DC has had a long history of problems with its education system. Part of the issue has been blamed for the lack of local governance. However, many parties have contributed to the problems facing education in DC, so it would be safe to place the blame is on everyone. In a 2008 study, Hannaway and Usdan provided a detailed list of guilty parties. They wrote:
