SJP's 2027 Policy Proposals for Future Elected Officials 09.10.26

Every year, hundreds of young people in the District cycle through juvenile and adult correctional facilities — and many of them are students with disabilities whose right to an education doesn't pause at the jailhouse door. SJP's 2027 Policy Proposals detail what we have learned from our work and what policymakers in the District can do about it. Drawing on years of direct representation and systemic advocacy, our Policy Proposal document presents three concrete proposals for DC's future elected officials: 1) fixing the academic credit system so that coursework completed inside actually counts toward graduation; 2) funding a statewide educational records-sharing system so students don't lose their transcripts moving between facilities and schools; and 3) supporting high school diploma options for every student with special education needs held at the DC Jail.

Each proposal is grounded in the experiences of the young people we serve, and each pairs a clear description of the problem with actionable solutions for policymakers.