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LEA Look Forward for August 28 - September 4, 2014

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Let us know what you think about the new design. Email [email protected] with your feedback.

District Highlights

  1. First Day of School: Mayor Gray, Superintendent Aguirre Tour Schools

  2. Team OSSE Participates in DCPS Beautification Day

  3. Guide to the New PARCC Assessment (For Parents)

Enrollment Audit

New: LEA Enrollment Audit Training Date Announced

An additional Enrollment Audit training has been added to the schedule. The new date is Monday, September 22, 2014, from 9am–12pm.

For questions and concerns, please contact Sean Flora or Rhonda Baylor.

Update: Enrollment Audit, Child Count, and LEP Sample Audit Data Training (Date Added)

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:

  • Updating LEA data for the Enrollment Audit, Child Count, and LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase

  • How to interpret and resolve data errors before the enrollment audit and child count deadline (October 6, 5pm)

  • Using the OSSE Support Tool to request help from OSSE staff

  • LEP Sample Audit:

    • How to update the LEP Indicator to ensure all LEP students are included for the Audit

    • When the sample will be generated and where LEAs can see the sampled group

    • Uploading LEP assessments to QuickBase for sampled population

    • LEP audit documentation guidelines

  • Resolving duplicative enrollments

  • Entering and exiting a student record from an enrollment audit or child count roster

  • 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, 2014, 1:30PM – 3:30PM

The schedule for this session is as follows:

  • Enrollment Audit Data Management, 1:30pm–2:15pm

  • Child Count Data Management, 2:15pm–3pm

  • LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase, 3pm–3:30pm

Wednesday, September 10, 2014, 9am – 11am

The schedule for this session is as follows:

  • Enrollment Audit Data Management, 9am–9:45am

  • Child Count Data Management, 9:45am–10:30am

  • LEP Sample Audit via QuickBase, 10:30am–11am

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!

Registration

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

Reminder: $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 DC 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: Specialized Education 2014-15 Onsite Monitoring Calendar

OSSE’s Division of Specialized Education Monitoring and Compliance Unit will conduct onsite special education monitoring at more than 30 LEAs, nonpublic schools, and Part C programs during SY 2014-2015.

Review the monitoring calendar.

Each LEA, school, or program scheduled to receive an onsite monitoring visit from the OSSE team during the SY 2014-15 will be contacted directly by the OSSE monitoring team at least two weeks prior to the onsite visit.

If you have questions about onsite monitoring, please contact Dr. Jennifer Masoodi, Director of Monitoring and Compliance, or call (202) 741-0479.

New: Specialized Education Customer Satisfaction Survey

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education's (OSSE's) Division of Specialized Education (DSE) is conducting a Community and Parent Engagement Survey regarding activities that occurred during SY 2013-2014.

Your responses will help us in our continuous improvement efforts and inform the ways in which we engage in outreach with special education stakeholders (parents, students, educators, Community Based Organizations, etc.) in the upcoming year.

The information collected in this survey will be confidential.  Your input is extremely important to our efforts.

For questions about this survey, please contact Ms. Desirée Brown, special projects manager for Community and Parent Relations.

Update: LEA Meeting on Special Education Monitoring and Compliance

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) Division of Specialized Education’s LEA and Nonpublic compliance and monitoring teams are 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

The PM session will address monitoring issues specific to DC students attending nonpublic schools. Specifically, the session will cover preparing for an on-site monitoring visit at the nonpublic school and working with the nonpublic school to correct identified noncompliance.  For the afternoon session, each LEA is encouraged to send the staff member responsible for monitoring the progress of their students’ attending nonpublic schools.

For additional information on the afternoon session please contact Dr. Edgar Stewart, supervisory monitoring specialist.

Presenters: OSSE Division of Specialized Education, Nonpublic Compliance and Monitoring Team

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Time: 1pm–3pm

Location: OSSE 810 First St. NE, 8th Floor Room 806A

Reminder: DC Municipal Regulations Title 5-E, Chapter 30: Special Education Review Schedule

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (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 the District of Columbia, 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:

  • Transfer of Educational Rights

  • Child Find, Evaluation, & Eligibility Determination

  • Specialized Instruction & Caseload/Class Size

  • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) & Discipline Procedural Safeguards

  • 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.

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

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2014

Time: 6pm–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.

Reminder: Nonpublic Point of Contact (NP POC) Quarterly Support Webinar Series

During the school year, the OSSE Division of Specialized Education hosts a quarterly webinar support series for all Nonpublic Point of Contacts (NP POCs).  The NP POC is OSSE's main liaison for special education at each nonpublic program or school who serves students with disabilities from the District of Columbia.  The quarterly webinars for SY 2014-2015 will take place on September 24, December 10, March 25, and May 27.  Each webinar will discuss various topics, including:

  • SEDS updates and alerts

  • The release of new OSSE special education policies

  • OSSE Support Tool updates

  • Data quality, including enrollment, records transfers, compliance reports, etc.

  • Training tips

  • Resources and announcements

All NP POCs should plan to register and participate in all 4 quarterly webinars.  All webinars are recorded and archived on the SEDS Resource Site. Please register for the next upcoming webinar using the link below.

Presenter:       OSSE Division of Specialized Education

Date:                  Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Time:                 10am—11am

Registration:   Register here

Reminder: Request for SY 2014-15 Preschool Special Education Coordinator Update

The OSSE Division of Specialized Education (DSE) is requesting updates with the names of the LEA staff members that will serve as the SY 2014-15 Preschool Special Education Coordinators (PSEC). OSSE recognizes that there are unique opportunities and challenges in serving the preschool special education population (ages 3-5), including:

• Child Find Responsibilities

• Early Childhood Transition (ECT) from Part C to Part B

• Child Outcome Summary (COS) Data

In 2012, OSSE’s Preschool Special Education Program (also known as the IDEA Part B 619 Program) rolled out the new Child Outcomes Summary (COS) Data System and provided training and technical assistance to LEAs on the COS collection and reporting process. In the 2014-15 School Year, OSSE’s Preschool Special Education Program plans to provide more training opportunities and technical assistance related to the preschool special education population.

OSSE requests that each LEA provide the OSSE Preschool Special Education Program with the name of an LEA staff member who will serve as the Preschool Special Education Coordinator (PSEC) by September 5, 2014.

PSEC information should be submitted through this link.

The PSEC contact will be responsible for coordinating responses to COS data collection, Early Childhood Transition responsibilities, receiving and disseminating information sent from OSSE regarding preschool special education to appropriate staff within the LEA, and communicating questions or technical assistance requests regarding preschool special education to OSSE.  

For questions about this role, please contact: [email protected].

Reminder: 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 the District of Columbia.  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.  Details and registration information can be found here.

Any questions regarding Child Count should be directed to [email protected].

Reminder: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): Implementing Tier 2 Targeted Supports Training

When implementing school-wide PBIS, students may need additional supports from classroom to small groups to help them be successful. This session will review how 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–3:30pm

Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall A

Registration: PBIS: Implementing Tier 2 Targeted Supports

Reminder: Related Service Providers SEDS Training

The OSSE DSE is holding a SEDS training for related service providers who serve students with disabilities at LEAs and nonpublic programs in the District of Columbia.

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 two dates to choose from: September 19, 2014, and October 22, 2014.

Presenter: OSSE Division of Specialized Education

Dates: Friday, September 19, or Wednesday, October 22

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:

  • Meets requirements

  • Needs assistance

  • Needs intervention

  • 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: 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).

Reminder: 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:

  • SEDS updates and alerts

  • The release of new OSSE special education policies

  • OSSE Support Tool updates

  • Data quality, including enrollment, records transfers, compliance reports, etc.

  • Training tips

  • 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.

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:

  • LEA POC responsibilities at the LEA level, including management of all SEDS records;

  • The role of the LEA POC in overseeing students served by nonpublic programs;

  • Resources available to LEA POCs when troubleshooting SEDS issues;

  • Protocol for communicating with and receiving assistance from OSSE; and

  • 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.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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

Register

Division of Wellness & Nutrition

Reminder: 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: Guidance on the Identification and Screening of English language learners (ELL)

OSSE guidance on the identification and screening of English language learners is located on the OSSE website. LEAs must screen potential ELL students using OSSE approved English language proficiency assessments.

For questions and concerns, contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle

New: Data Analysis Workshop

September 9, 2014, OSSE will be hosting a one-day workshop for 12 teacher pairs (one ESL teacher and one content teacher). The goal of the one-day data analysis workshop is to foster an environment for data-informed decision making around language proficiency and language development as it relates to the WIDA Standards Framework to support the academic success of language learners.

Register for the workshop before Friday, August 29, 2014. Selected teacher pairs will receive confirmation on September 2, 2014.

Who: Teacher Pairs (one ESL and one Content teacher)

When: Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Where: OSSE

Time: 8am–3:30PM

Participant Requirements

  • Both the ESL and Content teacher must be present for the full day workshop.

  • Each pair of teachers must bring a copy of WIDA's 2012 Amplified Standards Framework booklet.

  • Each pair of teachers must bring at least 1 unit plan or 1 lesson plan and related materials from the unit or lesson (i.e., student work samples, class projects or activities, and assessment tasks, tools and grades).

For questions and concerns, contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle.

New: National Center State Collaborative (NCSC) and DC CAS Alt Science Assessment Meeting

In SY 2014-2015 students with significant cognitive disabilities will transition to a new alternate assessment, the National Center State Collaborative (NCSC). The current assessment, the DC CAS Alt will remain only for Science during the transition to the new science standards. Read about the Alternate Assessment Registration Window.

In preparation for the Operational NCSC assessment, schools are encouraged to participate in the Pilot Test II from October 20, 2014 – November 14, 2014.

  • Pilot Test 2 will test students in grades 4–9 and 12.

  • Only one content area will be assigned to each participating student (ELA or Math)

  • Test Administrator training modules from Pilot Test 1 remain the same.

Register for Pilot Test 2 before September 5, 2014. At this time, only the number of participating students within each grade level of each LEA is required.

New: 2013 Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Reverification Period Closes September 5

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 has opened a reverification period that allows LEAs to provide any necessary documentation to remove these additional students from the 2013 cohort. This documentation can be uploaded to the Quickbase application. Quickbase credentials and more information about this reverification effort was sent out to LEAs on August 15.

For questions about the ACGR Reverification process, please contact Imani Stutely.

Final Notice: Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System Training

OSSE Office of Data Assessment & Research is hosting a Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System training for new SLED users today, 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:

  • Extended Entry and Exit Code Guidance

  • Excel version of entry and exit codes

  • 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 Open

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:

  • Carlos Rosario International PCS

  • Cesar Chavez PCS

  • DC Public Schools

  • Friendship PCS

  • Hospitality PCS

  • IDEA PCS

  • LAYC Career Academy

  • Maya Angelou PCS

  • Options PCS

  • Richard Wright PCS for Journalism and Media

  • Thurgood Marshall PCS

  • Washington Mathematics Science Technology PCS

  • 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:

  • How do you evaluate teachers and principals?

  • How do you calculate and split FTE percentages?

  • When is a teacher Highly Qualified? Who’s eligible to use the HOUSSE process?

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.

Reminder: LEA Data Meeting Schedule

OSSE Office of Data Assessment & Research 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.

  • Thursday, September 4, 2014; 10:30am–12pm

  • Wednesday, October 1, 2014; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, November 20, 2014; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, December 11, 2014; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, January 22, 2015; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, February 26, 2015; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, March 26, 2015; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, April 30, 2015; 11am–12:30p

  • Thursday, May 28, 2015; 11am–12:30pm

  • Thursday, June 25, 2015; 11am–12:30pm

  • 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: Planning for Automated Data Transfer (ADT) Maintenance

There are three types of maintenance of the ADT System:

  • System Maintenance

  • Major Release Maintenance

  • 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.

Update: Next LEA Data Meeting Scheduled for September 4, followed by Next Generation Assessment Stakeholders meeting

OSSE Office of Data Assessment and Research has it’s next LEA Data Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2014, from 10:30AM –12pm. The meeting venue is at 810 First Street, NE, on the 3rd Floor Grand Hall. Please note that the Next Generation Assessment Stakeholders meeting will occur at the same venue from 1pm to 2:30PM.

Register here for the September 2014, Next Generation Assessments Stakeholder Meeting

For questions about the meeting, please contact Imani Stutely.

Office of Grants Management and Compliance

New: US Department of Education (ED) Provides State Education Agencies (SEAs) Guidance Regarding the Use of Funds under Title I, Part A: Providing Services to Homeless Children and Youth

On January 17, 2014, the President signed into law H.R. 3547, the omnibus funding bill for Federal Fiscal Year 2014 (FFY14). The United States Department of Education (ED) has provided State Education Agencies (SEAs) with guidance regarding the use of funds under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA), to provide services to homeless children and youth. The following changes are now allowable for use of Title I allocation funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014.

View Letter to State Title I and Homeless Education Coordinators

For questions and concerns, contact Timothy Richardson.

OSSE in the News

New: A Back-to-School Conversation with Teachers and School Leaders

On August 21, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, District of Columbia State Superintendent of Education Jesús Aguirre, and DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson participated in a back-to-school discussion with teachers and other educators at Jefferson Middle School. The main topic was educators’ questions and concerns about standardized testing. Sec. Duncan spoke about the need to provide strong support to educators and laid out actions the federal government will take to provide states greater flexibility in this area.

New: First Day of the New School Year

On August 25, 2014, the first day of SY 2014-2015, Mayor Gray, Superintendent Aguirre and Chancellor Henderson visited Eastern Senior High School, Phelps ACE HS, KIPP DC Webb Campus and JG Whittier Education Campus.

New: DC Public Schools Beautification Day – A Beautiful Beautification Day

This past Saturday, August 23, Team OSSE was at the Leckie Elementary School in Southwest DC for DCPS’ annual Beautification Day. Under the leadership of Superintendent Aguirre,Team OSSE’s Beautification Day efforts included landscaping, planting flowers, and other external beautification efforts.

See photos from the event and read coverage by Examiner.com.

New: Statement from State Superintendent Aguirre on US Department of Education's Announcement on Assessments and Evaluation

The District of Columbia State Superintendent of Education Jesús Aguirre issued the following statement on Friday, August 22, 2014, in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement on assessments and evaluation. In the announcement, Secretary Duncan stated that states can request a one-year delay in using assessment results for teacher and principal evaluations.

“We applaud Secretary Duncan’s announcement today regarding assessments and evaluation. It demonstrates the U.S. Department of Education’s commitment to working with states to implement fair educator evaluations, without attempting to dictate how individual states and districts manage this process. This is a critical time in our ongoing efforts to reform our schools as we work to ensure that all of our students are achieving and are set up for success. The DC – like much of the rest of the nation – is undergoing a great deal of change: we have adopted new standards, we are implementing a brand new set of more challenging assessments, and we have established new ways of evaluating our schools, our teachers, and our school leaders. Today’s announcement allows us to continue to focus on this important work while recognizing that we must be thoughtful and deliberate as we do so.”

Read State Superintendent Aguirre’s full statement.

Reminder: Three DC Math and Science Teachers Selected as Award Finalists

OSSE recently 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

Reminder: 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.

Read more

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: FEMS offers Fire Safety Education Classroom Presentations for Students

Fire and Emergency Medical Services Chief Kenneth Ellerbe strongly supports the philosophy that fire safety is an important topic that should be educated to all residents and visitors of the DC including children. Highlighted below are a few fire safety educational programs that the District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department (DCFEMS) offers each year that are designed to strengthen elementary and middle school age children’s knowledge in the area of fire safety education. These programs are fun and very interactive and can be presented in any classroom setting at the request of any DC Public or Public Charter school teacher or administrator.

Safety Smart about Fire

Safety Smart about Fire is a one-hour program presentation designed for grades K-3 offered by DCFEMS Public Educators to reinforce simple safety principles. Our educators gather the assistance of Disney’s Timon and Pumba (via digital media) to reinforce the following learning factors:

  • Making A Home Fire Escape Plan & Its Importance

  • Smoke Alarms & Their Importance

  • Understanding Why Smoke is Poisonous

  • The Fundamentals of Getting Down, Getting Out, & Staying Out

  • Don’t Play With Matches or Lighters

Safety Smart Science (Understanding Fire)

Safety Smart Science is a one-hour program presentation designed for grades 4-8 offered by DCFEMS Fire Educators to reinforce the science behind fire. Through a structured curriculum with activities, educators, with the assistance of Bill Nye the Science guy (via digital media), expand on the science concepts. The program provides opportunities for students to apply research, writing, analytical, and teamwork skills.

To schedule a presentation for your students, please contact Ms. Samone Hoston, Fire Education Information Specialist, FEMS Fire Prevention Division at (202) 727-1614.

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