About Us

Our Mission

All students with disabilities are empowered and equipped to lead meaningful and connected lives. The DC Special Education Cooperative (Co‑op) works to create equitable and excellent educational systems where students with disabilities thrive.

Our Vision

All students with disabilities are empowered and equipped to lead meaningful and connected lives.

The DC Special Education Cooperative (Co-op) has spent more than two decades partnering with public charter schools across Washington, DC to strengthen educational systems and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Founded by and for school leaders, the Co-op is grounded in collaboration and the belief that students with disabilities can thrive when schools have the right supports, systems, and partnerships in place.

Our Impact

Building stronger systems. Supporting educators. Expanding opportunities. Improving outcomes.

Local Education Agencies are members

(95% of agencies serving students with disabilities)

0 %

of Demonstration Classrooms

outperformed DC growth benchmarks for students with disabilities

0 %

of DC3C students

improved workplace readiness skills

$ 0 M

generated annually

in Medicaid reimbursements for participating schools

Our Pillars

As a community-driven organization with deep roots in DC, the Co-op understands the city’s unique educational landscape and the inequities that continue to impact students with disabilities, particularly students from Black and historically marginalized communities. Our team includes former school leaders, educators, parents, and individuals with disabilities who are committed to advancing inclusive practices, strengthening school capacity, and helping create equitable and excellent educational experiences for all students.

Collaborative
Environment

Fostering a spirit of collective expertise and encouraging collaboration of fresh ideas between schools and community members. The Co-op brings schools and community members together for a common cause.

Racially
Equitable

Advancing policies and teaching practices that combat the systemic racism that has caused Black students and students of color to be both overidentified for special education and underserved when they are identified. The Co-op is committed to strengthening policies and practices that lead to equitable outcomes for all students.

Community
Driven

A community-based organization with deep roots in DC, the Co-op understands the city’s history and unique educational landscape and is therefore unwavering in its commitment to improving the outcomes of all students as well as their families.

Legacy
of Success

For years the Co-op has combined innovation and unparalleled expertise to produce exceptional solutions and outcomes for students with disabilities. Because of this, key government agencies and decision makers in the special education space view the Co-op as an invaluable partner.

Unparalled Organization Leadership

The Co-op staff is composed of former charter school leaders, teachers, parents of students with disabilities, and individuals who themselves have disabilities. Ultimately this means our team is passionate about championing a cause that for many has personal relevance.

Our History

1998

Organization Established

A group of charter school leaders, teachers, special education experts, and local chartering authorities came together to form The Cooperative, the first organization of its kind in the nation.

1998

2006

School-based Medicaid launched

After nearly eight years of advocacy, the Co-op was able to provide charters access to a significant funding stream that supports service provision.

2006

2015

DC3C launched

When the city was looking to provide parity to the charters in funding for secondary transition services, the Co-op was the natural choice. DC3C becomes the first shared secondary transition support for the sector.

2015

2017

ELEVATE launched

With the city focused solely on compliance the Co-op knew that quality was just as, if not more important and developed our ELEVATE framework, needs assessment and continuous improvement process for special education quality.

2017

2020

Demonstration Classrooms launched

Seeing is believing! Our Demonstration ("demo") Classrooms, each highlight an evidence-based practice and serve as living models for schools striving to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

The Co-op authors a Call to Action, naming the disproportionate way DC's Black children and families have been negatively impacted by a failing system and encouraging LEAs to take action to combat systemic racism within special education.

2020

2021

Intervention District launched

Students who have gaps in learning must have access to high quality, evidence-based interventions delivered with fidelity. This program creates scale and cost savings for high quality implementation across the charter sector.

2021

2023

ALL IN SUMMIT

The Co-op brings together 27 charter LEAs, policy makers and partner organizations to chart a vision for DC's students with disabilities. Our All In Report made strong recommendations for improving outcomes for these students.

2023

2025

Demonstration Classroom Impact Report released

2025

2026

ALL IN DC launched

Student Voice Impact Report released

2026

Our Partners

The Co-op is powered by a growing network of DC schools, partners, and advocates.

Our Members

Access programs and services that strengthen your special education program

Member schools leverage shared resources, build capacity, and join a community of practice — at a fraction of the cost of going it alone. Membership is open to all DC public charter schools.

0 %

of DC charter schools are already Co-op members

61 local education agencies