Let us know what you think about the new design. Email [email protected] with your feedback.
District Highlights
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Message from State Superintendent Jesús Aguirre to LEAs Regarding the SBOE Waiver Approval
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OSSE Receives Grant from US Department of Education to Help Low-income Students Take AP Tests
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Three District of Columbia Math and Science Teachers Selected as Award Finalists
Enrollment Audit
New: Data Training - Enrollment Audit, Child Count, and LEP Sample Audit
This webinar is a follow-up to the in-person enrollment audit and child count trainings in August. This session will cover the following topics in greater detail to support a successful enrollment audit and child count effort for your LEA:
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Updating LEA data for the Enrollment Audit, Child Count, and LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase
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How to interpret and resolve data errors before the enrollment audit and child count deadline (October 6, 5pm)
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Using the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Support Tool to request help from OSSE staff
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LEP Sample Audit:
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How to update the LEP Indicator to ensure all LEP students are included for the Audit
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When the sample will be generated and where LEAs can see the sampled group
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Uploading LEP assessments to QuickBase for sampled population
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LEP audit documentation guidelines
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Resolving duplicative enrollments
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Entering and exiting a student record from an enrollment audit or child count roster
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Updating your LEA's contact information for the enrollment audit and child count effort, via QuickBase
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session. This webinar is recommended for LEA data managers, LEP coordinators, LEA special education points-of-contact, and special education coordinators. Please register via the links below for one of the following sessions:
Tuesday, September 9, 1:30pm–3:30pm
The schedule for this session is as follows:
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Enrollment Audit Data Management, 1:30pm–2:15pm
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Child Count Data Management, 2:15pm–3pm
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LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase, 3pm–3:30pm
The schedule for this session is as follows:
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Enrollment Audit Data Management, 9am–9:45am
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Child Count Data Management, 9:45am–10:30am
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LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase, 10:30am–11am
Reminder: Register Today for the LEA Enrollment Audit Training Sessions
OSSE invites LEAs to participate in the Enrollment Audit Training. Participants will receive guidance on the 2014-2015 Enrollment Audit process, a handbook and other necessary documents that contain vital information for enrollment; residency verification; Special Education Child Count; Limited English Proficient; and student head count day. Participants must choose one training date and be aware that registration will close after 60 participants have registered. Please limit your LEA participation to three (3) participants. Use the link below to register for a training session. For questions or concerns, please email [email protected].
Please choose one training date and be aware registration closes after 60 participants have registered.
Existing LEA Training Dates
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August 22 9am–12pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
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August 25 9am–12pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
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August 25 1pm–4pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
Reminder: Enrollment Audit Residency Verification Documentation and Guidance
OSSE has provided residency verification training to all Local Education Agencies (LEAs) for School Year 2014-2015. Please access the OSSE website for training presentations, translated forms and resource materials.
For questions and concerns, please contact Sean Flora.
Division of Early Learning
Reminder: SY 2013-2014 Pre-K Statewide Classroom Assessments Scoring System (CLASS) Evaluation
Pursuant to the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Act of 2008 (DC Code 38-271.03; DC Law 17-202), OSSE in partnership with School Readiness Consulting conducted its annual evaluation of pre-kindergarten programs in community-based organizations and public charter schools during SY 2013-2014 using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). The purpose of the study was to assess classroom quality and evaluate early childhood programs through collecting and reporting quantitative and qualitative data to provide useful input for strengthening the early childhood education system. OSSE will disseminate program/school level reports this week. A final comprehensive report including the District of Columbia Public Schools will be available by September 2014.
To learn more about the CLASS tool and evaluation process, access and watch the District of Columbia Early Childhood Program Quality Evaluation SY 2013-2014 webinar now.
For questions and concerns, contact Mahlet Getachew.
Reminder: Child Care Licensing Orientation for Centers and Homes Available Online
Are you interested in opening or setting up a licensed child development center or home facility?
Access and participate in the following online licensing webinars to learn how:
Child Development Center Webinar
Home Based Child Care Facility Webinar
For inquiries and questions regarding the webinar, contact Brandee Reed or call (202)741-5937.
Reminder: Child Care Emergency Preparedness Online Workshop
Improve your skills and take your practice to the next level by ensuring that all the children in your care will be protected during emergencies. Please access the online workshop through the U.S. Center for Child Development and Resiliency to complete the Save the Children’s Child Care Emergency Preparedness Training.
Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Reminder: Educator Leader Cadre Recruitment
OSSE is currently seeking new members to join the DC Common Core Educator Leader Cadre. If you are an Administrator (Principal/Assistant Principal), Instructional Leader/Coach, Test Coordinator, Lead Teacher or Post-Secondary educator who desires to shape standards implementation and support the District’s transition to Next Generation Assessments, please join us!
For questions and inquiries please contact Heidi Beeman.
Reminder: Moving Toward NGSS: Connecting Science to Common Core With Picture-Perfect Science Lessons (ES Teachers)
This short course will provide practical insights into connecting science and literacy standards in elementary classrooms.
NSTA is providing a series of online short courses to help educators prepare for the implementation of the standards. Each of these courses involves a series of three web seminars along with asynchronous activities on topics that are essential for successful teaching and learning.
Learn more at National Science Teachers Association, NGSS Online Short Course.
For more information, please email Maya Garcia.
Division of Postsecondary & Career Education
New: $5000 College Scholarship Opportunity for Student Leaders
The United States Senate Youth Program, established in 1962 by U.S. Senate Resolution, is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.
The annual program will be held in DC on March 7–14, 2015. Two student leaders from each state, DC and the Department of Defense Education Activity will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action.
Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the
U.S. Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
The USSYP 2015 application is now open. Please visit the United States Senate Youth Program webpage on the OSSE website to download and complete the application.
Contact your State Selection Coordinator, Tiffany DeJesus, for more information.
Reminder: Become a College Application Week Host Site
OSSE is excited to announce that DC College Application Week (CAW) 2014 will take place November 3–7, 2014.
CAW is part of a national effort to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students who pursue a postsecondary education.
The goal of CAW is to assist all graduating seniors, especially those who may not otherwise apply to colleges to do so, and help in navigating the complex college admissions process as well as ensure that each participating student completes and submits at least one application.
We encourage your school to host a CAW event to show your support as a college-going culture and allow your high school the opportunity to ensure all seniors strongly consider pursuing a postsecondary education. Additionally, if you would like to host a CAW at your school, please apply before Friday, August 22, 2014. Official sites will be notified by Wednesday, September 3, 2014.
OSSE will provide training, volunteer recruitment assistance and a resource manual to assist with the planning and organization of your CAW activities.
Reminder: Adult Degree Completion Survey
The Adult College and Completion Initiative (ACC), led by OSSE and community and postsecondary partners, is conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of adult learners who have attended college and left without obtaining a degree to earn their postsecondary credential.
We would greatly appreciate your circulating the Adult Degree Completion Survey to any DC resident you know who has dropped out of postsecondary education.
Our District Adult Learners’ input is critically important to improving postsecondary completion and graduation rates for District of Columbia residents. The information gathered from this survey will inform decisions on flexible and innovative post-secondary programming for adult learners in DC.
For more information on the survey and the Adult College and Completion Initiative, contact Tiffany DeJesus or call (202)741-6415.
Reminder: Request for Applications for the Career and Technology Education (CTE) Certification Fund
OSSE’s Adult and Career Education Division invites the submission of applications for the CTE Certification Fund. The purpose of this grant is to support eligible LEAs and the University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC) with full or subsidized payments of certification exams within priority career sectors in DC as identified in the CTE Strategic Plan.
Reminder: FSA Tool Publishes FAFSA Completion Numbers for the High School Graduating Class of 2014
The U.S. Department of Education is now providing high schools with current data about their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submissions and completions so that high schools can track their progress and help ensure that their students complete the FAFSA.
Division of Specialized Education
New: Special Education Child Count (Due Date: October 6, 2014)
The special education data team is excited about the new school year, and looking forward to working with all LEAs to support the success of students with disabilities. As a reminder, the cut-off date for Child Count for SY 2014-2015 is October 6, 2014. This year, the dates have been aligned with the Enrollment Audit process to assist in reducing the burden on LEAs from having official counts occur on different dates.
Child Count is a federally mandated activity, as per 34 CFR 300.641 (a), that is reported annually and serves as the official special education enrollment number for DC. Timely submission of Child Count Certifications ensures data accuracy for all LEAs.
Child Count training will be held on August 22 and August 25, 2014, for existing LEAs, and on August 26, 2014, for new LEAs.
Any questions regarding Child Count should be directed to [email protected].
New: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Implementing Tier 2 Targeted Supports Training
When implementing school-wide PBIS, students may need additional support from classroom to small groups to help them be successful. This session will review features of effective Tier 2 interventions, including an overview of Check-in Check-out (CICO) for targeted groups and simple behavior support plans for individual students. Participants are encouraged to bring their school behavior data for analysis and planning purposes.
Presenter: OSSE Division of Specialized Education
Date: October 3, 2014
Time: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall A
Registration: PBIS: Implementing Tier 2 Targeted Supports
New: Related Service Providers SEDS Training
The OSSE Division of Specialized Education is holding a SEDS training for related service providers who serve students with disabilities at LEAs and nonpublic programs in DC.
Related service providers (RSPs) are required to use SEDS for documenting evaluations, assessments and services provided to students with disabilities. This training is designed to teach RSPs the correct way to document services in SEDS, including missed services, and will introduce tools available to make the documentation process more streamlined in SEDS. The training will also review SEDS Fall Release updates that affect RSPs.
Each LEA and nonpublic program should select one current related service provider representative to attend this in-person, two hour training. It is not appropriate for one LEA to send a large group of staff to this training. Upon receiving training, the selected RSP representative will return to the LEA or nonpublic program to share information and train their related service provider colleagues.
There are currently two dates to choose from: September 19, 2014, and October 22,, 2014.
Presenter: OSSE Division of Specialized Education
Dates: Friday, September 19, 2014 or Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Time: 10am—12pm
Location: OSSE, 810 First St. NE, 3rd Floor Computer Lab
Registration: Related Service Provider SEDS Training
For more information please contact [email protected].
Reminder: Release of FFY 2012 Annual LEA Determinations
OSSE released FFY 2012 Annual Determinations on August 21, 2014.
Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) Section 616(a)(1)(C)(i) and 34 CFR §300.600(a), each state must make “determinations” annually under Section 616(d) on the performance of LEAs’ programs for students with disabilities. In making such determinations, OSSE assigns each LEA one of the following determination levels:
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Meets requirements
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Needs assistance
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Needs intervention
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Needs substantial intervention
OSSE has finalized its special education determinations for LEAs based on a rubric that considers programmatic and fiscal data across a number of measures. LEAs that were in operation during FFY 2012 (July 1, 2012- June 30, 2013) will be receiving their determinations for that time period on August 21, 2014. Determinations will be sent to each Head of School by letter and email. OSSE will hold a determinations webinar during the week of September 8, 2014, to review the determinations process. Please note that LEAs may have required actions or activities to complete as a result of the determination.
OSSE’s specialized education compliance monitors will directly reach out to each LEA with an invitation to the webinar. If you have questions about the determinations process, please contact Dr. Jennifer Masoodi, director of Monitoring and Compliance, or call 202 741-0479.
Reminder: LEA Meeting on Special Education Monitoring and Compliance
OSSE Division of Specialized Education’s LEA Compliance and Monitoring Team is hosting its first LEA meeting for SY 2014-2015.
Each LEA is encouraged to send its Special Education Coordinator (SEC) or an administrative representative responsible for making decisions regarding special education. The focus of the meeting will be to review the LEA monitoring processes and procedures for SY 2014-2015. No registration or RSVP is required to attend. For additional information please contact your OSSE LEA SPED compliance monitor.
Presenters: OSSE Division of Specialized Education, LEA Compliance and Monitoring Team
Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Time: 9:30am–12pm
Location: OSSE 810 First St. NE, 8th Floor Room 806A
Reminder: Revised Early Childhood Transition Guidelines
DC Strong Start Early Intervention Program and OSSE’s Preschool Special Education (619) Program are pleased to release revised Early Childhood Transition Guidelines.
Early Childhood Transition Guidelines provide non-regulatory guidance to Early Intervention Programs and Local Education Agencies to support the smooth and effective transition of children from early intervention into preschool special education.
For more information, please contact Kerda DeHaan at (202)741-0791 or Krista Scott at (202)741-5098.
Reminder: Special Education Data System (SEDS) Train-the-Trainer
The Special Education Data System (SEDS), also referred to as “EasyIEP,” is the online database where school administrators, educators, and related service providers access special education records and document services provided to students with disabilities.
Each LEA is required to have a staff member who serves as the LEA Special Education Point of Contact (LEA SE POC). Additionally, each nonpublic school or program that serves students with disabilities enrolled in any DC LEA is required to have a SEDS Nonpublic Point of Contact (NP POC). The LEA SE POC and the NP POC are responsible for training all relevant staff on SEDS and for overseeing the use of SEDS by all staff.
The SEDS Train-the-Trainer course is a full-day, in-person training course designed to equip LEA SE POCs and NP POCs with information and resources to support them in their role as SEDS trainer.
This course also provides participants an opportunity to shape their own internal SEDS-use policy. There are currently three training dates to choose from this fall.
Presenter(s): OSSE Division of Specialized Education
Dates: September 12, October 3, or November 14
Time: 9am–4pm
Registration: SEDS Train-the-Trainer
PLEASE NOTE: This course is NOT a basic user training course for SEDS. Participants should already be experienced with SEDS, or have already taken the SEDS Basic User video training course (accessed on the SEDS Resource Site).
Update: LEA Special Education Point of Contact (LEA SE POC) Monthly Support Webinar Series
During the school year, the OSSE Division of Specialized Education hosts a monthly webinar support series for all LEA Special Education (SE) Point of Contacts (POC), formerly LEA Data Administrators.
This webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of every month from 10am–11am. Each month various topics will be discussed, including:
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SEDS updates and alerts
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The release of new OSSE special education policies
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OSSE Support Tool updates
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Data quality, including enrollment, records transfers, compliance reports, etc.
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Training tips
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Resources and announcements
All LEA SE POCs should plan to register and participate in all 10 monthly webinars, from August 2014 through May 2015. All webinars are recorded and archived. Please register for the webinar series using the link below. This registration link will automatically register participants for all 10 webinar dates, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, August 2014 through May 2015.
Presenter(s): OSSE Division of Specialized Education
Dates: 3rd Wednesday of Each Month (next broadcast is Wednesday, September 17, 2014*)
Time: 10am–11am
Registration: LEA SE POC Monthly Webinar
*All webinars are an hour in length.
Reminder: DC Municipal Regulations Title 5-E, Chapter 30: Special Education Review Schedule
OSSE is initiating a review of key components of Title 5-E, Chapter 30 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), the local regulation that governs special education practice in DC, with the intention of revising identified key components. In addition, input from the process will be used to inform the development of a new five-year strategic State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) for Special Education.
As part of the regulatory review process, the Division of Specialized Education (DSE) will be releasing surveys and holding topic-specific focus groups on key content area “clusters” to inform the work:
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Transfer of Educational Rights
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Child Find, Evaluation, & Eligibility Determination
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Specialized Instruction & Caseload/Class Size
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Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) & Discipline Procedural Safeguards
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Graduation Pathways, Secondary Transition, & IEP Certificate of Completion
A high-level overview of the initiative’s calendar of events and the OSSE content area review process can be found at: DC Municipal Regulations (DCMR) Title 5-E, Chapter 30: Special Education Review Schedule.
The next content area to be reviewed is Specialized Instruction & Caseload/Class Size. DSE has developed a topic-specific survey that is open to all stakeholders. The deadline for submission of this topic survey is Wednesday, August 27, 2014.
OSSE is collaborating with the State Advisory Panel (SAP) to coordinate parent/community focus groups for each content area. Parents and community members who wish to participate in the focus group for Specialized Instruction and Caseload/Class Size should RSVP no later than September 2, 2014.
Facilitator: OSSE Specialized Education & The State Advisory Panel (SAP)
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014
Time: 6pm to 7:30pm
Location: Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library, Large Meeting Room, 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Registration: RSVP Here
Focus group reminders will be posted on the OSSE website and in upcoming editions of the LEA Look Forward. For more information, please contact Jamille Peters, Policy Analyst, Division of Specialized Education.
Update: New LEA Special Education Point of Contact Orientation
LEAs are required to have an LEA Special Education Point of Contact who serves as OSSE’s main point of contact for all things related to SEDS, special education data and records, SEDS training of staff, etc. All new LEA POCs are required to attend a full-day in-person training. The content of the training course will include:
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LEA POC responsibilities at the LEA level, including management of all SEDS records;
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The role of the LEA POC in overseeing students served by nonpublic programs;
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Resources available to LEA POCs when troubleshooting SEDS issues;
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Protocol for communicating with and receiving assistance from OSSE; and
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All relevant content shared with LEA POCs in the previous two school years.
New LEA POCs who have not completed a point of contact orientation are required to register and attend the training session on Thursday, September 11, 2014. Please access the link below to register.
Reminder: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program, developed by Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), is embraced worldwide as a highly effective behavior management system for organizations committed to providing quality care and services in a respectful, safe environment. The strategies taught in the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program provide participants with a proven framework for decision making and problem solving to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to disruptive or assaultive behavior.
This event will not go over physical restraint techniques. Please wear comfortable clothing, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle.
Date(s): Monday, September 24, 2014
Time: 8:30am–3:30pm
Location: 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Division of Wellness & Nutrition
New: 2015 DC Green Ribbon Schools Application Released
DC schools, districts, and institutes for higher education (IHE) are encouraged to apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools Award. This award will recognize schools, districts, and IHE that save energy, reduce costs, feature environmentally sustainable learning spaces, protect health, foster wellness, and offer environmental education to boost academic achievement and community engagement. It is also a great tool to identify ways to involve the school community in “going green”. OSSE is responsible for supporting schools, districts, and IHE in applying for this award, as well as nominating up to four schools, one district, and one IHE to the U.S. Department of Education.
The application, past awardees, and supporting documents can be found on the OSSE website- Green Ribbon School Program webpage.
Applications are due January 16, 2015.
For questions and inquiries please contact Sam Ullery.
Reminder: Growing Healthy Schools Week 2014 – Save the Date!
Growing Healthy Schools Week is here again: Saturday September 27, 2014–Friday, October 3, 2014.
Save the date to your calendar.
Reminder: Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Administration
Charter School Middle/High School Leaders:
On behalf of OSSE, we hope that you will agree again to participate this fall in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) administration. If you did not agree to allow your students to be anonymously surveyed in 2012, we invite you to join us now for the fall 2014. All students in grades 6-12 are eligible.
You can sign-up by emailing Julie Ost, the DC YRBS Coordinator, and confirm your participation.
Reminder: Health and Physical Education Needs Assessment
Online Survey for School Administration and Staff Only
OSSE and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education are currently conducting a needs assessment to identify specific challenges in regards to implementing effective health and physical education in schools in DC. Each participant that completes and submits their needs assessment questionnaire will be eligible to enter into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Details regarding drawing entry are provided at the end of the questionnaire.
OSSE and Johns Hopkins University will use the data to identify potential solutions and resources to address these challenges. The needs assessment questionnaire takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. The questionnaire is completely confidential and will not be associated with your name or school.
If you have any questions please email Ms. Kafui Doe, health education manager, or call (202)741-6484.
Reminder: Serve on the DC CAS Health and Physical Education Advisory Board
OSSE is recruiting health and physical education teachers at all grade levels to advise on the future content, structure, and delivery of the DC CAS Health and Physical Education.
This advisory board will meet approximately four times a year and will be expected to participate in the content and bias review sessions for new test items.
Please email Grace Friedberger to indicate your interest in joining the board.
Reminder: DC Anti-Bullying Safe Schools Initiative for School-based Staff
OSSE invites you and your school staff to participate in a professional development opportunity on the creation and/or affirmation of safe school environments.
Co-sponsored by OSSE and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the goal of the 1.5 day PD session is to provide participants with the knowledge, skills and resources to create safe and affirming school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
Sessions will be led by certified facilitators from OSSE, DC Public Schools (DCPS) and local government and community based organizations at no cost to participants.
The training course runs over two days, and both days are required to complete sessions. Day one is 8 hours and day two is 4.5 hours. Indicate your interest to participate in the training.
For questions and inquiries please email Julie Ost and mention the DC Anti-Bullying Safe Schools Initiative.
Office of Data Management & Assessment
New: Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System Training
OSSE Office of Data Management & Assessment will host Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System training for new SLED users on Thursday, August 28, 2pm–4pm.
The training session will take place at OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, Third Floor Grand Hall.
To register for the training session, please email [email protected].
Reminder: PARCC Accommodations and Accessibility Features Updates
LEAs are invited to visit the OSSE Testing Accommodations webpage to view updated information on PARCC Accessibility Features and Accommodations. Under Additional PARCC Resources, are three DC CAS accommodations crosswalks entitled:
For questions and inquiries please contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle.
Reminder: Updated Entry and Exit Code Documentation Posted
Updated entry and exit code documentation for the 2014-2015 school year is now available on the OSSE website. Updates include:
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Extended Entry and Exit Code Guidance
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Excel version of entry and exit codes
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Webinar Slides
Please visit the Entry Codes Exit Codes and Enrollment webpage to download the documentation. If you were unable to attend a training webinar during the month of July, please review the documentation as there have been significant updates to OSSE entry and exit codes for the coming school year.
For questions and inquiries, please contact Sarah Sherman.
Reminder: 2013 Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Reverification Period Opened August 1
To ensure accurate reporting of the state’s graduation rates, it will be necessary for LEAs to verify additional students who were not included in the 2013 ACGR cohort. OSSE will open a reverification period that allows LEAs to provide any necessary documentation to remove these additional students from the 2013 cohort. This period opened August 1 and ends on August 31. This documentation can be uploaded to the Quickbase application. Quickbase credentials and information about this re-verification effort has been sent out to LEAs.
If you have questions about the ACGR Re-verification process, please contact Imani Stutely.
Reminder: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Data Collection
The 2013-2014 CTE data collection which opened on August 1, 2014 will close on August 31, 2014. Similar to last year, OSSE is collecting CTE data for all LEAs that offer CTE programs of study as required by the Department of Education and the District Career and Technical Education Task Force.
OSSE will ask LEAs to identify all students who enrolled in CTE courses during the 2013-2014 school year. For those students, the LEA will identify all CTE courses they have taken in the past.
The CTE data collection for 2013-2014 will apply to UDC and the following secondary or adult LEAs:
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Carlos Rosario International PCS
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Cesar Chavez PCS
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District of Columbia Public Schools
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Friendship PCS
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Hospitality PCS
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IDEA PCS
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LAYC Career Academy
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Maya Angelou PCS
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Options PCS
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Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media
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Thurgood Marshall PCS
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Washington Mathematics Science Technology PCS
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Youthbuild PCS
If your LEA offers a CTE program of study and you are not listed but would like to opt-in to the collection, please contact Emily Persons. If your LEA does not receive Perkins funding, you will have the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of the collection.
LEAs will have 30 days (August 1–31) to gather and submit data to OSSE. Additional details about the data collection and template will be provided shortly.
If you have any questions about the CTE data collection, please contact Emily Persons.
Reminder: Data Boot Camp Additional Session Added
Please mark your calendars and join us for a Data Boot Camp to discuss Faculty and Staff Data on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 and Thursday, September 25, 2014 from 1pm–5pm .
The Boot Camp will be held in OSSE’s Grand Hall, 810 First Street NE, on the 3rd floor.
Participants will learn:
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How do you evaluate teachers and principals?
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How do you calculate and split FTE percentages?
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When is a teacher Highly Qualified? Who’s eligible to use the HOUSSE process?
Office of Data Management and Assessment (Continued)
All these questions and more will be discussed as we bring the K-12 LEAs and Early Childhood CBOs together for multiple roundtable sessions. HR Managers and Data Managers will receive an invitation and agenda shortly, and everyone from LEAs and CBOs are welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact Doreen Christian or call (202)727-8320 or Hannah Page or call (202)727-8114.
Reminder: 2015 ACCESS for ELL Testing Window: April 27, 2015–May 30, 2015
A testing window is available for English Language Learners to participate in the annual English Language Proficiency test (ACCESS for ELL students) between the following dates: April 27, 2015–May 30, 2015.
For question and inquiries please contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle.
Update: LEA Data Meeting Schedule - New Date Added
OSSE Office of Data Management has added an additional date to the SY 2014-2015 LEA Data Meeting Schedule. On Thursday, September 4, 2014, from 10:30am–12pm, OSSE will host a LEA Data Discussion Meeting at 810 First Street, NE, on the 3rd Floor Grand Hall.
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Thursday, September 4, 2014; 10:30am–12pm
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, November 20, 2014; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, December 11, 2014; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, January 22, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, February 26, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, March 26, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, April 30, 2015; 11am–12:30p
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Thursday, May 28, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, June 25, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
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Thursday, July 30, 2015; 11am–12:30pm
Meeting invites and agendas will be sent before each meeting to LEA Heads of School and Data Managers. Please contact Imani Stutely if you have any questions.
Reminder: Next Generation Assessment Meeting: Follow-up Survey
Our thanks goes out to all those who attended the inaugural OSSE Next Generation Assessment stakeholders meeting. Whether or not you were able to participate at the meeting, on Thursday June 26, OSSE invites you to participate in working groups moving forward, or maybe suggest times and topics for meetings in the future.
We ask that you please fill out this brief survey.
The Next Generation Assessments includes computer-based and paper-based assessments in reading, composition, math, science, health, English language proficiency and our alternative assessment.
For questions and inquiries please email Bonnie O’Keefe .
Reminder: Planning for Automated Data Transfer (ADT) Maintenance
There are three types of maintenance of the ADT System:
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System Maintenance
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Major Release Maintenance
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Patch/Emergency Release Maintenance
Information regarding ADT’s maintenance window is provided for planning purposes on OSSE’s website.
Access Planning Automated Data Transfer ADT Maintenance.
Update: QuickBase Application to Replace McKinney-Vento Student Referral Forms
OSSE will replace the manual collection of Student Referral Forms for McKinney-Vento programs with an online data collection tool in QuickBase.
Training will be offered via a webinar, on-site at OSSE, and by telephone as requested.
Webinar date: September 9, 2014
Webinar time: 10am–11am
Registration:
Register here for the September 9 training.
On-site training will be offered at OSSE on September 10 from 10am–12pm. An Eventbrite invitation will be sent separately.
For more information, questions and inquiries, LEA Homeless Liaisons or Data Managers can please email Doreen Christian or call (202)727-8320.
Reminder: OSSE Collecting Certified Graduates List from PCSB
OSSE will begin collecting lists of June and August graduates from charter high schools through the PCSB. We ask that all charter LEAs begin to prepare these graduate lists for collection and quality review by PCSB.
If you have any questions, please contact Imani Stutely.
OSSE in the News
New: OSSE Receives Grant from US Department of Education to Help Low-income Students Take AP Tests
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it awarded the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) $141,334 to help low-income public school students take advanced placement tests.
New: DC Public Schools Host Beautification Day on Saturday, August 23
Join Team OSSE at the Leckie Elementary School, 4201 M.L. King Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20032, as we roll up our sleeves and help beautify our schools.
New: Three District of Columbia Math and Science Teachers Selected as Award Finalists
The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) today announced that three math and science teachers in the District have been named finalists for the 2014 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The educators will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, a certificate signed by the President of the United States, and an invitation to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities.
General Announcements
New: Mayor Gray, Citing Need to Continue Progress on Education Reform, Accepts Committee’s Final Recommendations on Student Assignment Policies and DCPS Boundaries
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today announced that he has accepted the final recommendations of the D.C. Advisory Committee on Student Assignment to implement updated assignment policies and school boundaries. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education released the recommendations to the public today. In a letter to the Advisory Committee, among other reasons for agreeing to the recommendations, the Mayor noted that the benefits of moving forward far outweigh the cost of inaction, and cited the need to update policies and boundaries that have not been reviewed in more than 40 years.
New: State Board of Education Public Meeting on Waiver Approval
LEAs are invited to the SBOE public meeting and encouraged to voice their comments and opinions to SBOE members on the ESEA Waiver Approval. Discussions are expected to include the 2013-2014 Science assessment results and its impact on accountability classifications for SY 2014-2015.
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Venue: 441 4th Street, NW, in the Old Council Chambers.
Time: 5:30pm
If you wish to comment at this meeting, please notify SBOE staff in advance by phone at (202)741-0888 or by email at [email protected] and provide your name, address, telephone number, and organizational affiliation by the close of business on Monday, August 25, 2014.
If you have questions or need additional information about this topic, please contact Iris Bond-Gill at OSSE.
For more information, read State Superintendent Aguirre’s memo to LEAs.
New: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives, DC – Then and Now
Today more than 46,000 students attend dozens of D.C. public schools. In 1804, when Washington’s school system began, there were only a handful of elementary schools, overseen by a board initially led by Thomas Jefferson. (Yes, that’s the same Thomas Jefferson who was president of the United States at the time.) Those first elementary schools were for white kids only. African Americans didn’t have the right to attend these schools; many were slaves.
Read more about the Sumner School
Reminder: OSSE PARCC Technology Readiness Site Visit Survey
LEA leaders are invited to view the memorandum from the District of Columbia State Superintendent of Education, Jesus Aguirre, on the PARCC Technology Readiness Site Visit Survey, and the advisory factsheet from the US Department of Education on Educational Services for Immigrant Children and Those Recently Arrived to the United States.
Reminder: OSSE Announces Name Change of Student Hearing Office
OSSE has announced a change to the name of its Student Hearing Office (SHO): the office is now referred to as the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR).
The goal of the name change is to emphasize a neutral and collaborative environment for parents and schools to resolve conflicts and work together towards better educational outcomes for students with special needs.
Additionally, ODR aims to further align its legal and regulatory requirements according to federal regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
For questions and inquiries please contact the Office of Dispute Resolution or call (202)698-3819.
Reminder: Mayor Gray Announces Further Expansion of District’s Saturday Free Summer Meals Program
Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced the expansion of the District’s Free Summer Meals Program for the second year in a row. Starting on Saturday, July 19, 2014, free summer meals will be offered on Saturdays across the District at select Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Public Library (DCPL) locations for children and youth 18 years of age and under. The distribution sites include seven additional locations. Read more on the Mayor Gray Announcement on Further Expansion of District’s Saturday Free Summer Meals Program.
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