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Statement of Introduction Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School Redesignation Act of 2026 March 4, 2026 Today, I am introducing the “Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School Redesignation Act of 2026” alongside Councilmembers Matthew Frumin, Brooke Pinto, Robert White Jr., and Henderson. Sharpe Health School, located at 4300 13th Street, NW in Ward 4, has long served students across the District with specialized health and educational needs. Over time, the school community and local residents have worked to ensure that the names associated with District facilities reflect contemporary values and appropriately recognize individuals whose contributions helped expand opportunity and access to education in the District. Through a community-driven process, the name of the school building has been reviewed in light of recommendations made through the District’s facilities and commemorative expressions review efforts. That process included engagement with community members, families, and former students, as well as the support of local leadership. Advisory Neighborhood Commission 4C adopted a resolution in support of renaming the building to honor Elizabeth M. Goodman, whose legacy is closely tied to the school and to the advancement of educational access for students with disabilities and other specialized needs in the District. Elizabeth M. Goodman (1913–1983) was a visionary educator and long-time District resident whose work transformed educational access for children who were homebound, hospitalized, or otherwise unable to attend traditional schools. After moving to Washington, D.C. in the 1930s, she identified the urgent need to provide instruction to students who were being left behind due to illness or disability. Her advocacy led to the creation of the Visiting Instruction Corps in 1939, a pioneering program that brought teachers directly to hospitalized and homebound students so they could continue their education. Ms. Goodman was appointed Supervisor of the program upon its creation and led its expansion for decades. In 1952, Ms. Goodman became Principal of the Health School, where she worked to strengthen and expand programs designed to meet the needs of students requiring specialized care and services. Recognizing that existing facilities were not sufficient to serve all children in need, she worked with families, educators, and advocates to push for the development of a larger, purpose-built school. Her leadership and persistence were instrumental in securing approval for and advancing construction of the current Health School building, which opened in 1958 and significantly expanded the District’s capacity to support students with physical and medical needs.
Under her leadership, the school grew into a comprehensive educational environment with classrooms serving multiple grade levels, therapy spaces, and specialized programming that allowed students to remain engaged in school while receiving care. She also helped establish additional educational opportunities for students facing unique barriers, including programs that enabled students who could not attend traditional classrooms to continue working toward graduation. Ms. Goodman’s commitment to the District extended beyond the school itself. She lived in Washington for her entire adult life, raised her family here, and worked across neighborhoods to support students and families in need. Her work reached students in every part of the city through home visits and school-based services, and her children attended DC Public Schools. After her time as principal, she continued to advance special education nationally through her work with the federal government, supporting grant programs that helped expand services for children with disabilities across the country. The building that now houses Sharpe Health School stands as a direct result of Ms. Goodman’s vision, advocacy, and leadership. Renaming the facility in her honor recognizes her foundational role in establishing and growing the programs that continue to serve some of the District’s most vulnerable students. It also ensures that the name associated with the school reflects the values of inclusion, service, and educational opportunity that define its mission. For these reasons, I agree with the community that Elizabeth M. Goodman is an inspiring and appropriate namesake for this school building and that redesignating the facility in her honor is a fitting recognition of her lasting impact on the District of Columbia and its students.
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_____________________________ _____________________________ 1 Councilmember Matthew Frumin Councilmember Janeese Lewis George 2 3 4 _____________________________ _____________________________ 5 Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 6 7 8 9 _____________________________ 10 Councilmember Christina Henderson 11 12 13 A BILL 14 15 _______ 16 17 18 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 19 20 __________________ 21 22 23 To redesignate the school in Lot 0005 in Square 2820, located at 4300 13th Street, N.W., as 24 Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School. 25 26 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 27 act may be cited as the “Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School Redesignation Act of 2026”. 28 Sec. 2. Pursuant to section 401 and 422(b) through (e) of the Street and Alley Closing and 29 Acquisition Procedures Act of 1982, effective March 10, 1983 (D.C. Law 4-201; D.C. Official 30 Code § 9-202.01 and 9-204.22(b) through (e)) (“Act”), and notwithstanding section 422(a) of the 31 Act (D.C. Official Code § 9-204.22(a)), the Council designates the school in Lot 0005 in Square 32 2820, located at 4300 13th Street, N.W., as “Elizabeth M. Goodman Health School”. 33 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 34 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 35 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 36 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 37
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Sec. 4. Effective date. 38 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or, in the event of veto by the 39 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review 40 as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 41 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 42