1700.1 This Chapter is authorized by section 1002 of the Second Omnibus Regulatory Reform Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-261; D.C. Official Code §§ 47-2853.04(a)(22),(a)(36), and (c)(3) (2012 Repl. and 2018 Supp.)) and sections 3(b)(11), (12), (15), and (17) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000, effective October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-2602(b)(11), 38-2602(b)(12), 38-2602(b)(15), and 38-2602(b)(17)) (2012 Repl. and 2018 Supp.)).

1700.2 The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the requirements for state approval of educator preparation providers and subject area programs that prepare candidates who are eligible to earn an educator credential in the District of Columbia to teach in the District of Columbia Public Schools. The intent of the approval process is to ensure that candidates and program completers of educator preparation providers and subject area programs who seek an educator credential in the District of Columbia receive the training and practicum experiences to enable them to provide effective and high-quality education to District of Columbia Public School students.

1700.3 This Chapter is further intended to help ensure that the District of Columbia's educator preparation providers and subject area programs contribute to efforts to eliminate the District's existing opportunity gap along racial and ethnic group status. Research consistently demonstrates that all students, and particularly students from certain disadvantaged groups, benefit from access to racially and ethnically diverse teachers and school leaders.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 007389 (June 24, 2022).