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

Enrollment Audit

New: 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

• August 22 9am - 12pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
• August 25 9am - 12pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
• August 25 1pm - 4pm in 3rd Floor, Grand Hall

New LEA Training Date

• August 26 9am - 12pm in 8th Floor, Room 806B

CBO Training Date

• August 26 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: Professional Development Course Catalog

The Spring FY 2014 Course Catalog was developed to provide the early childhood education (ECE) and Out-of-School Time (OST) workforces with multiple opportunities for professional growth and development; opportunities for meeting the yearly continuing education requirements; and opportunities to participate in a District-wide professional learning community. Please see the Spring FY 2014 Professional Development Course Catalog to check out various learning opportunities.

For questions, please contact Dana Caffee-Glenn, professional development coordinator in the Early Learning Professional Development Unit.

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

New: Educator Leader Cadre Recruitment

OSSE is currently seeking new members to join the DC Common Core Educator Leader Cadre. Are you 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.

Final Notice: Funding Opportunity for Out of School Time Programs

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers competitive process is now underway. LEAs and other eligible entities can apply for this funding to provide at-risk students with opportunities for academic enrichment, personal enrichment, and other activities intended to enhance the students’ regular academic program.  

More information on this competitive process—which closes on August 12, 2014—is available in the Request for Applications (RFA) found on OSSE’s website. Applications must be submitted through the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).

For questions and inquiries, please email Myles Cliff.

Reminder: Join Summer Reading at the DC Public Library

Win prizes for reading! Everyone can get in on the fun with Summer Reading at DC Public Library.

This year, DC Public Library is teaming up with The Washington Nationals. All kids and teens who reach their summer reading goal will win two tickets to a Nationals baseball game. Kids, teens and adults also can win a coupon for free Chipotle.

Sign-up began June 1. Kids can sign up at any library. Teens and adults can sign up online. The Library has tons of great Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M) related events and activities planned for all ages. Encourage your students to sign up!

For questions, please contact Carmen Boston.

Reminder: School of Rock 2014: Dive Deep Application Deadline Extended

Free Summer Experience for DC High School Teachers: Travel to University of Delaware in Lewes for this amazing interdisciplinary experience. Work in high tech labs with microbiologists who are investigating the ecosystems and microbial diversity below the seafloor and geologists who search for clues to Earth’s evolutionary history through the study of microfossils. Develop NGSS-aligned lessons and materials for your classroom in SY 2014-2015. Participating teachers will receive PLU’s towards recertification.

Access more information at Dive Deep Immersive NGSS Summer Experience for HS Science Teachers.

For more information, please email Maya Garcia.

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 Post-Secondary & Career Education

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 college, in navigating the complex college admissions process and 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 post-secondary education. If you would like to host a CAW at your school, please apply before Friday, August 22, 2014. Official sites will be notified by September 3, 2014: Site Coordinator Application.

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: 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 nonregulatory 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.

New: 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: 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:

• 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 August 20th*)

Time: 10am to 11am

Registration: LEA SE POC Monthly Webinar

*Please note: the first webinar in this series, on August 20, 2014, will be 90 minutes long, from 10am–11:30am, as it will discuss items for the 2014 SEDS Fall Release. All other webinars will be one 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 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, and Eligibility Determination;
• Specialized Instruction and Caseload/Class Size;

• Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Discipline Procedural Safeguards; and
• Graduation Pathways, Secondary Transition, and 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 third content area, Specialized Instruction and Caseload/Class Size, is being reviewed in August.

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.

In addition, an LEA focus group is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, from 3pm–4:30pm at 810 First Street NE, Eighth Floor, Room 806B, DC 20002. RSVP by August 15, 2014.

OSSE is collaborating with the State Advisory Panel (SAP) to coordinate parent/community focus groups for each content area. The parent/community focus group for this topic area will take place on September 4, 2014.

Focus group reminders will be posted on the OSSE website and in OSSE newsletters such as the LEA Look Forward.

For more information, contact Jamille Peters.

Reminder: 2014 Special Education Data System (SEDS) Fall Release Training

Each year the Special Education Data System (SEDS) is updated in order to stay current with federal and local laws, state-level policies, and special education practice. Updates also incorporate LEA feedback and improve functionality for the end user.

A major SEDS update is underway for the fall of 2014. The SEDS Fall Release Training will showcase these major updates in the system. OSSE has rescheduled this webinar training to ensure that the training is able to showcase all final updates within the system in a way that will be effective for webinar participants.

All LEA Special Education Point of Contacts (formerly called LEA Data Administrators) and Nonpublic Point of Contacts, who are trained as SEDS trainers, are encouraged to participate in the August 13 webinar. Registration information for the August webinar is below.

Presenter: OSSE DSE TTA

Date(s): Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Time: 10am–11:30pm

Location: Webinar

Register Here

Contact: [email protected]

In addition to the training webinar on August 13, OSSE will host additional trainings in September and October, 2014. These trainings will allow participants to access the system and become familiar with all changes and updates. These trainings will also provide suggested methods and resources for conducting school-based trainings. Upon completion of this training, trainers are expected to train all relevant staff on the features that directly impact their users. For more information please contact [email protected].

Reminder: New LEA Special Education Point of Contact Orientation

Each LEA is 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 this full-day in-person training. The content of this 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 LEAs are required to attend one session of this training. Two dates are available:

• Friday, August 15, 2014
• Thursday, September 11, 2014

Reminder: OSSE Releases 2014-2015 LEA Support Model Survey

Over the past several months, OSSE has been rethinking how we deliver technical assistance support to LEAs to assist them in meeting the needs of students. To that end, OSSE is seeking your input on a new “LEA Support Model.”

The goals of the model are as follows: 1) allow OSSE to deliver high quality, useful technical assistance to LEAs; 2) reduce LEA burden through coordinated service delivery and improvement planning; and 3) foster cross agency collaboration and develop LEA learning communities to support best practice sharing.

Complete the LEA Support Model survey today.

For additional background information, view the LEA Support Model proposal.

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, August 19, 2014

Time: 8:30am–3:30pm

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

Register

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

New: 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.

Final Notice: School-Based Physical Education and Physical Activity Program for Charter Schools

The Health Education Team at OSSE is currently recruiting public charter elementary schools for its School-Based Physical Activity and Physical Education Program. The purpose of the School-Based Physical Activity and Physical Education Program is to increase the number of schools that promote and reinforce healthful behaviors and practices across the lifespan related to diabetes, cardiovascular health, the consumption of healthful foods and beverages, physical activity, and obesity in DC.

Eligible elementary schools will be required to:

• complete an on-site 90-minute needs assessment session with an OSSE staff person, and
• submit their 2013-2014 Healthy Schools Act School Health Profile form.

Schools selected will receive (but are not limited to):

• a mini-grant for each year for four years;
• on-site capacity building and technical assistance;
• professional development opportunities; and
• access to the Health and Physical Education Curriculum Library.

Interested public charter elementary schools should contact Lance Miller, health and physical education specialist, at [email protected] or at (202)481-3755 by Monday, August 11, 2014.

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.

Final Notice: DC Metro Teacher Wellness Symposium

Start your school year off with the resources and support to make Every Kid Healthy and ready to learn in your school when you join us at the DC Metro Teacher Wellness Symposium. You will discover school wellness strategies, resources, lesson plans and more.

OSSE and MD/DC/VA Tri-State Action for Healthy Kids have partnered to host a free Teacher Wellness Symposium on August 11–12, 2014. This two-day event will consist of sessions to assist all teachers in incorporating health and wellness into their classrooms, serving as health and wellness role models for their students, and addressing their own health and wellness needs. The Symposium is open to teachers in Maryland, DC and Virginia.

Symposium Details:

• Monday, August 11 and Tuesday, August 12 (attend one or both days)
• Kaiser Permanente Center for Total Health
• 700 2nd Street NE
• Washington, DC 20002
• 8:30am – 4pm

Highlights include:

• Free Breakfast and Lunch both days
• Yoga in the classroom
• Increasing physical activity opportunities
• Building school health and school wellness teams
• Farm to school
• Over $1,500 in prizes, raffle items and materials

Space is limited. Reserve your seat now.

Reminder: School Programs SY 2014-2015 Annual School Food Authority Training

The DC School Programs team is happy to announce the details for our mandatory annual training. Attendance at this training is required for all School Food Authorities (SFA) participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and/or the School Breakfast Program (SBP), so please plan to come or send a representative.

In the school nutrition environment, individual employees can make a big difference in a positive way while overseeing foodservice operations. Responsibilities can include planning, administering, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating all aspects of the school nutrition program to ensure meals are nutritious, age-appropriate, appealing, compliant, and cost-effective. As a State Agency, we want to provide each SFA with materials necessary to operate an effective and compliant foodservice program.

Therefore, we’re going to keep this short and sweet, but we still have lots of important information to cover: policy updates, New Meal Pattern Updates, Production Records, Smart Snacks, FFVP, and of course, Accountability and Claiming. Please come ready to participate in some interactive activities!

It is imperative that representatives from your SFA managing the various administrative and technical duties related to school food service and reporting requirements attend this mandatory training. One additional staff member may also attend; it is not recommended for teachers.

There are two sessions available: Monday, August 11, 9am–4:30pm and Tuesday, August 12, 9am–4:30pm. The sessions are identical, so you only need to attend one or the other. Please select a date when you register.

The registration for each session will close when it reaches capacity. So, if you have a strong preference for which session you attend, it is strongly recommended to register immediately. Register by using the link below:

School Programs SY 2014-2015 Annual School Food Authority Training

Lastly, Spanish interpretation services will be available upon request. When you register, please indicate if you require this service to ensure an accurate count.

Training Details:

Date and Time:

• Session 1: Monday, August 11, 9am–4:30pm
• Session 2: Tuesday, August 12, 9am–4:30pm

Location: OSSE Main Office (810 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002)

Room: 3rd Floor Grand Hall, Side A & B

Reminder: DC Free Summer Meals Program, June 23–August 22

As an educational provider, you are at the heart of making meals available to the children and teens in your community. When school is out, hunger is in. How many needy children are you willing to feed this summer?

Did you know that school districts around the country are serving meals to children and teens outside their school building, such as on their playgrounds or on a cool grassy area?

Providing free meals to hungry children 18 years of age and under during the summer months helps them be physically and mentally ready when school begins.

Teens especially face the same risks of food insecurity in the summer and as younger children and need your support, so make sure your teens are taking advantage of the free summer meals too! While offering good food in an appealing manner will attract children and teens, offering an activity or program that is fun will provide an opportunity to keep them engaged. Although activities are fun, you are not required to offer activities in order to feed the children. Generally, children and teens from the community simply go to an open site to get their meals.

This means the summer meal program sites are “open” to the community, so parents or children are not required to give any personal information about their family status to site operators in order for children to receive a free meal.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or a site, or even to learn more about the DC Free Summer Meals Program, it isn’t too late. Please contact Elisabeth Sweeting at (202)724-7628, 8:30am–5pm, Monday–Friday.

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

Update: 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.

Final Notice: LearnDC LEA Working Group Meeting

OSSE’s Office of Data Management & Postsecondary Division will host a LearnDC LEA Working Group Meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2014.

Purpose: Share proposed college readiness metrics with LEA stakeholders & give LEAs an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

Venue: 810 First St. NE 20002, 3rd Floor Grand Hall

Time: 1pm to 2pm

Please contact Imani Stutely with any questions.

Reminder: 2013 Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Reverification Period Opens 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 will open August 1 and end on August 31. This documentation can be uploaded to the Quickbase application. Quickbase credentials and more information about this re-verification effort will be sent out to LEAs this week.

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 will open on August 1, 2014 and will close on August 31, 2014. Similar to last year, OSSE will collect 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
• District of Columbia 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: Save the Date–SY 2014-2015 LEA Data Meeting Schedule

OSSE’s Office of Data Management will host LEA Data Discussion Meetings at OSSE on the 3rd Floor Grand Hall on the following days and times:

• 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: 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:

• 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.

Reminder: 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 webinars, onsite at OSSE, and by telephone as requested.

Webinar dates: August 12, 2014 (Final Notice), August 19, 2014 and September 9, 2014

Webinar times: 10am–11am

Registration:

Register for the August 12, 2014 training. (Final Notice)

Register for the August 19, 2014 training.

Register 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.

Reminder: Teacher and Principal Evaluation Data Collection

OSSE will collect data for evaluations of Teachers and Principals July 1 – August 15, 2014.

Instructions and templates will be sent out shortly.

For more information, or to request training on this data collection, please contact Doreen Christian at (202)727-8320.

OSSE in the News

New: Test Scores are Not Improving for At-risk Student Groups

DC Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson announced the system's 2014 test scores yesterday, saying "we're continuing on an upward trajectory." However, a closer look at the scores reveals a stagnant or downward trajectory for black, Hispanic, low-income, English language learner, and special education students in the last five years.

Read more on how test scores are not improving for at-risk student groups.

Reminder: DCSAA announces Pigskin Kickoff Classic

Eight public, private and charter school football teams from DC will face off in September in the inaugural D.C. State Athletic Association Pigskin Kickoff Classic.

Read more on the DCSAA announcement on Pigskin Kickoff Classic.

General Announcements

New: OSSE Student Hearing Office is Now Office of Dispute Resolution

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.

The District ranks No. 1 in the nation in the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program, which provides free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months at government sites and non-profit organizations throughout the District.

Read more on the Mayor Gray Announcement on Further Expansion of District’s Saturday Free Summer Meals Program.

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