March 4, 2026
Thank you, Chairman Mendelson and Councilmembers, for allowing me the opportunity to testify today. My name is Julie Camerata. I am a Ward 1 resident and I serve as Executive Director of the DC Special Education Cooperative, a nonprofit that supports 61 charter LEAs serving 7000+ students with disabilities across the District.
I am here today to speak about the urgent need to strengthen outcomes for students with disabilities in Washington, D.C. Nearly 1 in 5 students in DC receives special education services, and approximately one quarter of the city’s education budget is invested in serving these students. Yet fewer than 13% of students receiving special education services are considered college and career ready, and just 66.4% graduate in four years, more than 10 points below the citywide average. These outcomes have long-term implications not only for students and families, but for our city’s workforce, economy, and community wellbeing. We know that better outcomes are possible, and that City Council leadership is essential to making that change. To improve outcomes for students with disabilities, we respectfully recommend that the Council prioritize the following investments:
1. Invest in the Special Education Workforce
Budget Ask: Fund a multi-year, citywide special education workforce and professional learning strategy
- Dedicated funding for high-quality, evidence-based professional development aligned across OSSE, LEAs, and support organizations
- Funding to support teacher pipelines, retention incentives, and paraprofessional pathways
- Priority investments in training on UDL, MTSS, and evidence-based interventions
Why it matters: One in four teacher vacancies in DC is a special education position, and many educators lack access to training that drives student growth.
2. Improve Data Systems and Transparency
Budget Ask: Invest in improvements to Special Programs and public data reporting
- Funding to stabilize and improve the Special Programs data system so it meets LEA operational needs
- Funding to modernize and refresh OSSE’s Special Education Progress Report (SEPR) so it reflects current, meaningful data
- Funding to conduct a new Special Education Landscape Analysis for the District
Why it matters: Schools and policymakers need accurate, timely data to make decisions that improve outcomes.
3. Fund Cross-Agency Coordination for Student Outcomes
Budget Ask: Resource a cross-agency special education outcomes initiative
- Dedicated funding and staffing for joint priority-setting and coordination across OSSE, DME, and partner agencies
- Support for aligned initiatives spanning education, transportation, workforce, and health systems
Why it matters: Students with disabilities rely on multiple systems, yet those systems are not consistently aligned around shared outcomes.
4. Invest in Evidence-Based Instructional Models
Budget Ask: Fund replication and scaling of proven instructional models
- Targeted funding for schools implementing evidence-based practices such as UDL, MTSS, and high-quality intervention programs
- Support for demonstration classrooms and model programs that allow educators to learn from high-performing environments
- Competitive grants or innovation funds for schools improving outcomes for students with disabilities
Why it matters: We have examples of what works in DC—those models should be scaled.
5. Require ROI Analysis for Major Education Investments
Budget Ask: Fund evaluation and ROI analysis of major special education initiatives
- Independent analysis of investments including OSSE’s professional learning initiatives
- Evaluation of both financial and time investments to determine impact and inform future funding decisions
Why it matters: With approximately one quarter of DC’s education budget supporting special education, we must ensure investments are producing results.
Strengthening Oversight and Accountability
In addition to budget investments, the Council can strengthen its oversight role by ensuring that:
- Student outcome data for students with disabilities is a standing component of public oversight hearings
- The District prioritizes growth, graduation, attendance, and postsecondary readiness alongside compliance metrics
- Legislation, budgets, and agency accountability are aligned to measurable improvements in student outcomes
D.C. has made meaningful investments in special education, but outcomes have not yet kept pace with that investment. By prioritizing outcomes, strengthening the workforce, improving coordination, and investing in what works, the Council can ensure that students with disabilities are not only served, but are thriving. With focused leadership and targeted investments, D.C. can build a system where having a disability does not determine a student’s academic trajectory, postsecondary opportunities, or life outcomes.
Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to the students and families of the District. I welcome any questions.