This hearing was held to update the Subcommittee on Judiciary and Education of the House Committee on the District of Columbia on the present status and overall condition of the District of Columbia public school system. Witnesses invited to testify included Nate Bush, president, District of Columbia Board of Education; Andrew E. Jenkins, III, superintendent and chief state school officer; Togo West, Jr., chairman, District of Columbia Committee on Public Education; Howard Brown, director, Project Accord, Anacostia High School; and Delabian Rice-Thurston, executive director, Parents United for the District of Columbia Public Schools. Witnesses testifying at this hearing were asked, among other things, to comment on the financial condition and priorities of the school system; the physical condition of and plans for District of Columbia public school buildings; the academic strengths and weaknesses of the system; special programs in the system; and plans for curriculum reform. Witnesses agreed generally on the following conditions: (1) that the system's financial situation is not good; (2) that school buildings are in dilapidated and worsening condition; (3) that the system's academic program needs strengthening; and (4) that some special programs, including Project Accord, a career employment program, are making a difference for some students. Statements from 18 hearing participants are included. (AF)