The DC Special Education Cooperative (Co-op) partners with public charter schools across Washington, DC to build stronger systems, more inclusive classrooms, and better futures for students with disabilities.
Through our programs, the Co-op helps schools build stronger systems, support educators, and expand opportunities so students with disabilities can thrive in school and beyond.
Building educator capacity and inclusive leadership to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.
Connecting students ages 14–22 to career, college, training, and community opportunities.
Real-time classroom models where educators can observe evidence-based instruction in action.
Helping charter schools strengthen special education systems through assessment, coaching, and improvement planning.
Helping schools access Medicaid reimbursement to support special education funding and compliance.
Despite their potential, students with disabilities consistently experience lower academic achievement, higher rates of chronic absenteeism, and fewer postsecondary opportunities than their peers. The DC Special Education Cooperative exists to help schools close these gaps by strengthening instruction, improving systems, and expanding opportunities for every learner.
of students with disabilities in DC are proficient in ELA, compared to 37.6% of students overall.
of students with disabilities in DC graduate, compared to 78.7% of students overall.
of students in DC identify as Black/African American, but 78% of students with disabilities are Black/African American.
Building stronger systems. Supporting educators. Expanding opportunities. Improving outcomes.
Local Education Agencies are members
(95% of agencies serving students with disabilities)
outperformed DC growth benchmarks for students with disabilities
improved workplace readiness skills
in Medicaid reimbursements for participating schools
Whether you’re a parent, student, educator, school leader, or community partner, the Co-op offers programs, resources, and support designed to help students with disabilities thrive.
The Co-op is powered by a growing network of DC schools, partners, and advocates.
Ben Johnson CAO
Ingenuity Prep PCS
Our professional development with the Special Education Cooperative has been transformative for our entire early childhood team. The training provided educators with concrete strategies they could immediately apply, and our teachers continue to reference these individualized strategies in their planning and implementation, demonstrating the lasting impact of this personalized approach.
Katelyn Lucas
Special Education Compliance Manager, Inspired Teaching PCS
The Co-op supported us in launching our own Learning Lab and their observations and coaching have been invaluable in guiding our response to student data, allowing us to create truly individualized programming for our students. The impact of this partnership has extended beyond the Learning Lab, influencing the decision-making framework our leadership team applies to all learners.
The DC Special Education Cooperative has been an invaluable partner in enhancing our special education work at DC Prep. Their expert-led observations provided clear, actionable insights that directly supported our planning work and helped us refine our approach to supporting diverse learners with confidence.
DC3C helped me focus more on college, especially helped me focus on what I want to study and what I want to do after graduating college. DC3C also taught me how to look for help in the community and motivated me to get more involved in different programs.
For Mr. Griffin, math intervention is about far more than
In an emergency, a single action can change everything. DC3C
A Q&A with Brandon Woodland, Founding UDL Teacher at Bridges
For over 20 years the Co-op has hosted an annual
Join the Co-op community to access programs, resources, and partnerships that help schools better support students with disabilities.