Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the term: (1) 'DCPS' means the District of Columbia Public Schools. (2) 'ELL' means English Language Learner. (3) 'EPP' means Education Preparation Provider. (3A) 'Kindergarten teacher' means a general education teacher assigned to teach kindergarten. (3B) 'LEA' means local education agency, which is the District of Columbia Public School system or any individual or group of public charter schools operating under a single charter in the District. (4) 'Literacy educator' means a DCPS English Language Arts instructional coach, English Language Arts assistant principal, general instructional coach, literacy assistant principal, or reading specialist. (5) 'OSSE' means the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. (6) 'Public charter school' shall have the same meaning as provided in § 38-1800.02(29). (7) 'Structured literacy training' means professional development instruction on: (A) Effective and systematic instructional practices in reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; and (B) The use of empirically validated instructional methods that are appropriate for early, nal practices in reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension; and (B) The use of empirically validated instructional methods that are appropriate for early, emergent, and struggling readers. (8) 'Public elementary school' means a District school that is either a DCPS school or a public charter school and that serves any grades in the kindergarten through grade 5 range. (9) 'General education teacher' means a teacher who is responsible for providing instruction in one or all of the following subjects: (A) Reading; (B) Social Studies; (C) Mathematics; or (D) Science. (Sept. 21, 2022, D.C. Law 24-167, § 4112, 69 DCR 009223; Sept. 18, 2024, D.C. Law 25-217, § 4172(a), 71 DCR 9990.) Emergency Legislation For temporary (90 days) amendment of this section, see § 4172(a) of Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2024 (D.C. Act 25-506, July 15, 2024, 71 DCR 8406). For temporary (90 days) creation of this section, see § 4112 of Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-470, July 13, 2022, 69 DCR 008707).
District of Columbia Legal Code