The Empower the D.C. State Board of Education Amendment Act of 2025 aims to enhance the authority of the D.C. State Board of Education (State Board) by allowing it to initiate and amend policy actions, rather than solely approving or disapproving proposals from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). The bill amends the Public Education Reform Amendment Act of 2007, specifically by inserting the phrase "or amendment" after "approval" in the existing law, thereby granting the State Board the ability to make changes to policy proposals. Additionally, a new subsection is introduced that requires the State Superintendent of Education to provide a work plan or a statement of opposition within a specified timeframe when the State Board initiates a policy action.

This legislation seeks to create a more democratic process for educational policy-making in the District, ensuring that the perspectives of the State Board, which is elected by constituents, are respected and considered. It establishes checks and balances by allowing the Council to decide on policy actions opposed by OSSE, and if the Council does not affirm OSSE's opposition, the policy action will proceed. The bill also mandates OSSE to maintain a record of formal requests from the State Board, thereby improving transparency in the educational governance process.