Kevin P. Chavous
A
BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember
Kevin P. Chavous introduced the following bill, which was referred to the
Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation.
To
amend An Act To provide for compulsory school attendance, for the taking
of a school census in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes,
and Title 5 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, to require
parents, guardians, and those with custody or control of minors who are
already or will become 3 years of age on or by December 31 of the current
school year to place these minors in regular attendance in public,
independent, private, or parochial schools, or in private instruction.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may
be cited as the "Compulsory School Attendance Amendment Act of 2001
".
Sec.
2. Section 1(a) An Act to provide for Compulsory School Attendance, for
the taking of a school census in the District of Columbia, and for other
purposes, approved February 4, 1925 (43 Stat. 806; D.C. Code §31-402(a)),
is amended to read as follows:
"(a)
Every parent, guardian, or other person, who resides permanently or
temporarily in the District during any school year and who has custody or
control of a minor who has reached the age of 3 years or will
become 3 years of age on or before December 31st of the current year shall
place the minor in regular attendance in a public, independent, private,
or parochial school, or in private instruction during the
period of each year when the public schools of the District are
in session. This obligation of the parent, guardian, or other person
having custody extends until the minor reaches the age of 18 years. For
the purpose of this section placement in summer school is not
required."
Sec. 3. Title 5-DCMR § 2002.18(a) is amended by striking the phrase
"five (S) years" and inserting the phrase "three (3)
years" in its place.
Sec. 4. Applicability.
2005).
Columbia Public Schools shall complete a feasibility study of the
educational and fiscal impact of enrolling children at the age of 3
years. The study shall include the development of an early childhood
curriculum, hours of operation, draft schedule daily and weekly
instruction, program offerings, estimated costs of educational
materials, supplies, equipment, and facilities and the projected number
of students. In SY 2003-2004, the District of Columbia Public Schools
shall execute a pilot program regarding the expansion of compulsory
school age by enrolling a sample group of 4 year old students.
as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the Home
Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code
§1-233(c)(3)).
Sec. 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the
Mayor (or in the event of a veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to
override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and
Management Assistance Authority as provided in section 203(a) of the
District of Columbia Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance
Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D. C. Code
§47-392.3(a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in
section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code § 1-233(c)(1)), and
publication in the District of Columbia Register.