{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-273.01","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 38-273.01","heading":"Expansion to universal pre-k.","body":"(a)\nThe OSSE shall conduct, by September 30th of each year, an evaluation of all pre-k programs to establish existing capacity.\n\n(b)\nBy September 2009, and every 5 years thereafter, the OSSE shall submit to the Mayor and the Council a 5-year strategic expansion plan, including an assessment of the number of children interested in attending pre-k and the District’s fiscal and physical capacity to accommodate them.\n\n(c)\nBeginning in September 2009, and each year thereafter, OSSE shall submit to the Mayor and the Council an implementation plan for the following school year to expand pre-k to the maximum extent possible, but shall expand pre-k each year to accommodate a minimum of 15% of the unserved children, based on the strategic expansion plan, until pre-k programs are available to all children of pre-k age whose parents choose to send them to pre-k.\n\n(d)\n(1)\nDuring the expansion to universal pre-k, OSSE shall use its best efforts to:\n(A)\nEnsure that over a 5-year period a minimum of 25% of all new pre-k programs are operated by CBOs; and\n(B)\nMaintain a balance of diversity among the children.\n(2)\nFor the purpose of this subsection, “diversity” means a mix of children:\n(A)\nFrom families of different income levels;\n(B)\nWith, and without, disabilities or special needs; and\n(C)\nWhose first language is, and is not, English.\n\n(e)\nA pre-k program established following July 18, 2008, shall comply with the HQ standards, established pursuant to, respectively, §§ 38-271.02(b)(4) and 38-272.01(b), upon the effective date of the HQ standards.","path":["Title 38. Educational Institutions.","Chapter 2A. Pre-Kindergarten Education System.","Subchapter III. Expansion to Universal Pre-k."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-273.01","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"a4f0f95bc1f68cf0effbbd86976d4b9c7295a37e7e07499e741666135b18aeb3","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-272.04","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-38-273.02"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}