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Seventeen years after the Blackman-Jones case was filed, Mayor Gray announces the end to federal court oversight of the District of Columbia special education system.
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District Highlights
- Mayor Vincent C. Gray Welcomes Opening of My School DC Process for 2015-16 School Year
- Jennifer Niles appointed D.C.’s next deputy mayor for education
Important Dates and Deadlines to Remember
Dates
- 12/22: Annual Special Education Parent Survey Closes
- 12/30: Evidence Based Practices (EBP) Instructional Series /Text Adaptation (Adobe Connect)
- 01/06: NGSS 1.0 Webinar: Introducing the Next Generation Science Standards for LEAs and School Leaders
- 01/08: Introduction to Student Learning Objectives (SLOs): An Overview of the SLOs Process
- 01/14: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
- 01/17: Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System Training
- 01/20: Healthy Schools Act (HSA) School Health Profile Informational Webinar
- 01/21: Special Education Data System (SEDS) Winter 2014 Release Training
- 01/21: LEA Special Education Point of Contact (LEA SE POC) Monthly Support Webinar
- 01/23: LEA Institute II: “It Take a City to Knock It Out of the PARCC!”
Deadlines
- 01/31: DC School Garden Grant Request for Applications
- 02/17: Request For Applications for the 2015 CTE Certification Program
Announcements
New
OSSE releases the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Implementation for Transfer Students Policy
On December 17, 2014, the OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education issued the “Individualized Education Program (IEP) Implementation for Transfer Students Policy.” This policy memorandum
establishes state-level procedures and timelines for the development and implementation of IEPs for students transferring into local educational agencies (LEAs) in the District of Columbia. The policy addresses students who
transfer within the District of Columbia, from out-of-state, between District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and district charters, from private schools, and from early intervention settings. The Policy includes the following key
LEA-level requirements: facilitation of timely records transfer; provision of comparable services; completion of pending evaluations; and implementation of existing in-state and out-of-state IEPs.
LEA Needs Assessment for Next Generation Assessments (NGA) Readiness Survey
In conjunction with the upcoming It Takes a City LEA Institute, OSSE has developed a needs assessment tool for the purpose of identifying challenges your LEA may have with preparing for Next Generation Assessments (NGA),
and for identifying areas where OSSE can support LEAs in NGA readiness. NGA assessments include the PARCC assessment, statewide science assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), statewide
health assessments, and applicable statewide alternate assessments (NCSC, etc.). The results of this survey will be used by OSSE to provide relevant information and support to LEAs.
The survey should take approximately one minute to respond. OSSE appreciates your responses and thanks you in advance for your time.
Click here to access the survey.
Enrollment Audit Pre Appeals Dataset Released in SLED
The Enrollment Audit Pre Appeals Dataset has been released in SLED for your review. All Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are provided an opportunity to appeal findings reported in the DC Annual Enrollment Audit conducted by
FS Taylor & Associates (FSTA). There are two types of appeals, the desktop appeals and the in-person appeals hearings. All appeals require the LEA to submit an appeals package to OSSE and the auditors for review. A desktop
appeal is necessary before moving to an in-person appeal, as its purpose is to make an attempt to process without an in-person appeals hearing. However, if it is determined that the package is not sufficient to accept the appeal,
an in-person hearing may be scheduled by the LEA. OSSE encourages LEAs to submit their complete appeals packages as early as possible to avoid delays. Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at 5 p.m. EST is the last opportunity for
LEAs to submit appeals.
Please visit the OSSE Enrollment and Residency webpage for guidance and applicable forms. If you have any questions or concerns, contact OSSE Enrollment Audit.
Special Education Data System (SEDS) Winter 2014 Release
OSSE’s Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education is pleased to announce the Winter 2014 release of Special Education Data System (SEDS) with new and improved functionality.
By January 5, 2015, several new features and enhancements will be made to SEDS. Please visit the SEDS Resource Site for a complete list of all system changes and access to the Summary of Changes document.
Training for the Winter 2014 SEDS release will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015, for LEA Special Education Points of Contacts (LEA SE POC). Register for this training.
To access previously recorded training for these system changes please visit SEDS Resource Site and scroll to the Wednesday, December 17, 2014, Support Series Webinar. Upon completion of this training, LEA SE POC are
expected to train their respective SEDS users on the updates to the system as per the Train the Trainer model.
For any questions regarding the Winter 2014 release, please contact Karmen Rouland.
FY15 LEA Reimbursement and Budgeting Business Process Adjustment
OSSE will revise the business process currently in place for budgeting and receiving reimbursements from grant programs administered by OSSE due to the implementation of the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
OSSE will host webinars to help LEAs with the adjustments on the following dates:
Access information for webinar details and further guidance.
For questions, please contact Giana Hutton.
Education Licensure Commission (ELC) Commissioner Vacancy
The DC Education Licensure Commission (ELC) is seeking a fifth person to serve on the Board. Interested parties must be DC residents age 18 or over with knowledge regarding the operation of postsecondary institutions. The
ELC is a mayoral-appointed regulatory consumer protection authority responsible for establishing standards in postsecondary education, licensing and regulating postsecondary educational institutions, investigating complaints
against institutions, and maintaining records from closed institutions.
Access more information, summary of qualifications and application forms.
For questions, email Angela Lee or call (202) 724-2095.
Higher Education Financial Services (HEFS) DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG) December 2014/January 2015 Outreach Schedule
| Date | Time | Location | Program |
| Friday, December 19, 2014 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. |
Friendship Collegiate Academy HS 4095 Minnesota Ave., NE Washington, DC 20019 |
FCA Alumni Day/ College Fair |
|
Saturday, January 10, 2015 |
9:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. |
Martin Luther King Memorial Library |
3rd Annual Education Resource Fair |
|
901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 |
|||
| Thursday, January 29, 2015 | 6p.m. - 8p.m. |
Eastern Senior High School 1700 East Capitol St. SE Washington, DC 2000 |
Eastern HS Financial Aid Night |
Funding Opportunities
New
Request for Applications for the 2015 DC Career Academy Network (DC-CAN)
OSSE Postsecondary and Career Education Division invites the submission of applications for funding for the DCCAN. The purpose of this grant is to provide seed money to support the establishment of one National Academy
Foundation (NAF) career academy within one of the existing themes: information technology, engineering, and hospitality & tourism at a District of Columbia Public or Charter high school.
View 2015 DC Career Academy Network (DC-CAN) RFA.
For question, email Simone Garcia or call (202) 727-4312.
Data, Accountability, Assessment and Research (DAAR)
New
January 2015 LEA Data Discussion Meeting
The first LEA Data Discussion Meeting of 2015 will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015, at OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd floor Grand Hall, from 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
For questions, email Robert Medina.
Professional Development
Reminder
Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) Curriculum Training and Workshops: Day 2
OSSE Wellness and Nutrition Services Health Education Team (HET) will be hosting Day 2 of the SPARK workshops and trainings. SPARK strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidencebased Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students.
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 (Save the Date)
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: TBD
SPARK's physical education curricula is designed to motivate students of various ages while providing authentic participation opportunities that promote enjoyment and success. Each unit is based on curricula selection (early
childhood, grades K–2, grades 3–6, elementary school, middle school, and/or high school) and is written in scope and sequence with suggested unit plans for grade level specific instruction.
SPARK workshops are fun and “hands-on,” teachers are motivated by SPARK’s dynamic and knowledgeable trainers.
If you did not attend SPARK Day 1 trainings and workshop, please purchase the SPARK curricula and attend the SPARK Day 2 trainings and workshops.
Integrating Nutrition Education into the School Curriculum
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First St. NE
Within this professional development opportunity, the Healthy Schools Act Initiative Team will communicate simple ways in which instructors can incorporate wellness and nutrition topics into existing lesson plans. The goal
is to help LEAs meet nutrition standards throughout the school day, not just in health education class. The Healthy Schools Act Initiative team will provide additional school nutrition curriculum recommendations and resources needed in order to meet common core and next generation science standards.
Overview of Local and Federal Nutrition Standards for School Nutrition Programs
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2015
Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First St. NE
Educators are invited to come and learn how to promote student participation within school nutrition programs.
For questions or inquiries, email Lance Miller, Health and Physical Education Specialist, Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education, or call (202) 481-3755.
Support College-Bound Students Experiencing Homelessness in Applying and Paying for College
OSSE invites you to participate in the following webinars made available by the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE). NCHE is a federally funded information and technical assistance center at SERVE Center at the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Please note that, in addition to NCHE's McKinney-Vento 101 and McKinney-Vento 102 webinars, NCHE's Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
webinar will also be offered. As a reminder, January kicks off "FAFSA season," so make sure you have the information you need to support your college-bound students experiencing homelessness in applying and paying for college.
NCHE will be offering the following webinars free of charge during the months of December and January:
-
McKinney-Vento 101: School Access and Stability under the McKinney-Vento Act
Thursday, January 15, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET -
McKinney-Vento 102: Support for School Success and Special Populations
Thursday, January 22, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET -
Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2:15 p.m. ET
Please access the NCHE website for webinar descriptions or to register for any of the above webinar sessions. Also, please feel free to share information about the webinars with colleagues you believe may be interested.
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program, developed by the 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.
OSSE will host a training once a month during SY 2014-2015. The next training will occur:
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Friday, May May 29, 2015
Time(s): 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
Events
Reminder
LEA Institute II: “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!”
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will host the second LEA Institute -- “It Takes a City to Knock it Out the PARCC!” – on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, at Gallaudet University’s Kellogg Center 800 Florida Ave NE Washington, DC 20002. The LEA Institute will focus on preparing and gearing up educators for the Next Generation of Assessments (NGA), including (a) PARCC, (b) NCSC, (c) NGSS, and (d) health. OSSE is inviting national and local
expects to provide pertinent information and to answer your most pressing questions in the following areas:
- NGA Communication Strategies
- Assessment and ESEA Accountability
- Curriculum Alignment: Tools of the Trade
- Instructional Shifts and Best Practices
- Assessment Procedures and Technology Readiness
- Assessment Considerations for Special Populations
Participants will have the opportunity to present their questions to subject matter experts during panel presentations and in one-on-one sessions. In addition, an OSSE NGA ambassador will be assigned to each LEA to provide them with supports and information. Please register today. Also, follow the event on social media using #DCITAC.
