CONTACT: Jessica Giles
(202) 599-0089 | Jessica@strongschoolsnow.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: June 23, 2026

Washington, D.C. Today, June 23rd, the DC Council approved on final reading the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026. Nearly 300 members of DC’s education community took action to #ClosetheGapDC in public education. In response, the DC Council passed a budget that includes the following:

Funding Equity:

• Moved approximately $33 million back into the UPSFF, increasing the foundation level from $15,455 to $15,648 per student.
• Allocated $18 million beginning in FY 2029 and $42.3 million over the financial plan to reverse the Mayor’s proposed pause of the 3.1 percent annual increase to the per pupil public facility allowance for public charter schools.

Academics:

• For evidence-based math, secured $133,000 in funding, one math specialist, $70,000 for a Math Professional Learning Community, $100,000 for school leader training, and a requirement to publish High-Quality Instructional Materials.
• For evidence-based literacy, secured $281,000 in funding, two literacy coaches, assessment vouchers, and $200,000 for structured literacy training and ongoing administrator support.
• Maintained the number of students receiving High-Impact Tutoring by allocating $3 million.

College and Career:

• $7.8 million annually for the Advanced Technical Centers to continue supporting students in dual-credit pathways in cybersecurity, general nursing, clinical medical assistant, and emergency medical technician.
• $200,000 for the Education Through Employment Data System to track how DC students perform after high school, including their wages, industries of employment, and outcomes by education pathway and foster care status.

In response to the final LBA vote, Jessica Giles, Executive Director of the Center for Strong Public Schools DC (CSPS DC), made the following statement:

“In an exceptionally challenging fiscal year, hundreds of members of the DC education community mobilized under the #ClosetheGapDC banner to advocate for their students through petitions, digital outreach, and direct correspondence with the DC Council. This budget represents meaningful progress towards closing the funding gap, the achievement gap, and the degree and credential gap. We appreciate Chairman Mendelson and the DC Council for their commitment to supporting students and expanding opportunity.

“However, we remain concerned that funding for the District’s 48,000 public charter school students remains inequitable, as the funding gap between sectors has not yet been fully closed. 

“Our coalition of students, educators, parents, and community leaders will continue advocating beyond this budget cycle to the new mayor and the DC Council to ensure DC delivers on the promise of equitable funding and high-quality education for all students, regardless of sector.”

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ABOUT:
The Center for Strong Public Schools (CSPS) is a 501(c)(3) organization with offices in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C. Our D.C. Office works to ensure that every student—especially Black, Brown, and low-income students—attends a high-quality public school regardless of their zip code. We elevate research for policymakers and convene leaders to drive improvement. Learn more at strongschoolsnow.org/dc.