Ron Drake
DCPS’s Retention Rule Fiasco
March 21, 2004

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DC Education Compact
Parents United
Proposition 100%

DCPS'S RETENTION RULE FIASCO
March 21, 2004

More than a decade ago, the then school board, following the leadership of board members Linda Moody and Iris Toyer, adopted what DCPS refers to as the "Drake Rule." That Rule, simply stated, requires that, when DCPS retains a child to repeat a grade, then DCPS must refer that child for an assessment to determine if the child is in need of special education.

DCPS administrators loath the Drake Rule. When Newt Gingrich's Control Board seized the school system, those DCPS administrators saw an opportunity to rid DCPS of the hated Drake Rule. DCPS administrators simply informed the Control Board that the Drake Rule was no longer needed. DCPS administrators then drafted an amendment to the Drake Rule to provide that, when a child is retained, DCPS may, not shall, refer a child for an assessment.

However, in typical DCPS fashion, they misfired. The Control Board, under the guidance of DCPS administrators, amended the wrong rule, leaving the Drake Rule still standing in place. Now the Board Rules contain both the Drake Rule and the intended DCPS amendment. One rule says DCPS must refer a retained child for an assessment. The other rule says DCPS may refer a retained child for an assessment.

Ron Drake DCPS’s Retention Rule Fiasco March 21, 2004

Ron Drake
DCPS’s Retention Rule Fiasco
March 21, 2004