Let us know what you think about the new design. Email [email protected] with your feedback.
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>>>Learn More
Special Message from the State Superintendent:
District Highlights
- OSSE Parent and Community Conversations
- Notice of Funding Availability for College, Credential & Career Ready Summer Initiative
- Save the Date: April 11, 2015 - Adult College Completion Fair
- It Takes a City: DC Does it Best! Call for Proposals
Getting Ready to Knock It Out of the PARCC: Next Generation Assessments Tips and Resources
- Resources for Schools
- Resources for Parents/Community
>>>Learn More
Important Dates and Deadlines
Dates
- 2015 DC Assessment Timeline
- 2/26: Parent and Community Conversations (Multiple Locations)
- 2/28: FAFSA Assistance @ RISE Demonstration Center
- 2/28: FAFSA Assistance @ LAYC
- 2/28: OSSE and SBOE Community Meeting
- 3/7: OSSE and SBOE Ward 8 Community Meeting
- 4/22: DCSAA Workshop: Serving Student-Athletes with Disabilities
Deadlines
Announcements
New
OSSE Celebrates School Bus Drivers and Attendants
Please join OSSE’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) in recognizing the School Bus Drivers and Attendants of the Month for February 2015:
OSSE DOT Drivers of the Month
Russell James | 5th Street Terminal
Christopher Greene | Adams Place Terminal
Charon McKethean | New York Avenue Terminal
Quiana Lamons | Southwest Terminal
OSSE DOT Attendants of the Month
Don Davis, Sr. | 5th Street Terminal
Sheila Vaughan | Adams Place Terminal
Donna Richardson | New York Avenue Terminal
Rochelle Clark | Southwest Terminal
Each month, OSSE DOT recognizes one exemplary bus driver and attendant from each of its four bus terminals in DC (5th Street, Adams Place, New York Avenue and Southwest) as part of the division’s Recognition Program for Bus Drivers and Attendants of Special Education Students.
The drivers and attendants have been identified by DC parents, students, teachers and school staff as outstanding stewards of the community. Since the program’s launch in May 2014, OSSE DOT has received over 600 online and mail-in nominations for DC bus drivers and attendants. Nominations are accepted year-long and counted the first Tuesday of every month. Recognize your school bus driver today!
Important Dates for NCSC and DC CAS Alt Science
The following dates apply to the administration of the NCSC assessment and the DC CAS Alt Science Portfolio review.
NCSC
- March 2, 2015 : NCSC Student Enrollment window opens
- March 18, 2015: NCSC Student Enrollment window closes
- March 30, 2015: NCSC ELA/Mathematics testing window begins
DC CAS Alt Science
- February 25, 2015: DC CAS Alt Science Portfolio review training webinar hosted by Pearson
- March 6, 2015: DC CAS Alt Science Portfolio testing window ends
- March 13, 2015: Last date to ship DC CAS Alt Science Portfolio to Pearson
Link: http://osse.dc.gov/service/national-center-state-collaborative-ncsc-and-dc-cas-alt-science
Contact: [email protected]
Reminder
PARCC Test Development: Opportunities for Teachers and Administrators in the District of Columbia
OSSE is pleased to offer several opportunities for teachers and administrators to participate in the ongoing development of the PARCC assessment. If selected for participation, travel, lodging, and food will be provided, as well as a daily stipend. Opportunities for participation include the following:
- Item Review
- Content and Bias Review
- Rangefinding
- Standard Setting / Performance Level Setting
- Data Review
Rangefinding and Standard/Performance Level Setting for PARCC 2015 will take place this summer after test administration is complete (see subject-and-grade specific dates inside the application form). While dates for Data Review for PARCC 2015 are to be determined, as well as dates for Item Review and other activities to develop PARCC 2016, the application form allows you to express your interest now.
In order to apply, please complete this application form.
For questions, contact [email protected].
LEA Access to Student Postsecondary Completion Information through National Student Clearinghouse StudentTracker
OSSE, in partnership with the National Student Clearinghouse StudentTracker, is offering LEAs access to student-level postsecondary enrollment, persistence and completion information. This information can be used for the following:
- With StudentTracker, LEAs can tell where their former students are currently enrolled.
- With StudentTracker, LEAs can see if students are concurrently enrolled at your LEA and college
- With StudentTracker, LEAs can utilize enrollment, persistence and graduation data from over 3,600 Institutions of Higher Education.
This service is provided for free to all DC schools and LEAs. In order to access this service, an LEA must sign a data agreement with OSSE. Learn more about StudentTracker.
LEAs interested in learning more information about StudentTracker or completing a data agreement should email Melissa McKnight or call (202)741-6413.
Test Integrity Online Training Modules
As indicated at Next Generation Assessment meetings, OSSE has the ability to pull data for LEAs on PearsonAccessNext registered users who have completed the system’s online training modules. This information may be helpful to you if your School Test Plan requires authorized personnel to complete the online training modules. Participating in the training modules helps test administrators understand the details involved with computer-based PARCC administration.
If you would like to know which authorized personnel completed these test integrity training modules via the PearsonAccessNext System, contact Dr. Tonya Mead, state test integrity coordinator, at (202) 741-5991.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help adolescents (age 12–18) that are experiencing mental health concerns, addictions, or are in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include: anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders.
Presenter: Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
Date: Monday, March 16, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
School Test Plans Submissions at Least 10 Days Before Assessment
This is a reminder to submit school plans for test integrity/test security at least 10 days before the administration of the Districtwide assessment. OSSE is pleased to provide technical assistance feedback on your plans, and we encourage early submission.
Should you need any support or have questions, contact Dr. Tonya Mead, state test integrity coordinator, at (202) 741-5991.
HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms Training
The Division of Wellness and Nutrition Services will be conducting a HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms (HUSSC: SL) Training on March 4, 2015 at 9 a.m.–4 p.m. to discuss the HUSSC: SL general criteria, the application process, and to answer frequently asked questions. The HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms is a voluntary certification initiative that has recognized thousands of schools for their efforts in improving food and beverage offerings, teaching kids about nutritious food choices and being physically active, providing opportunities for physical activity, and having supportive school wellness policies. Participating schools get recognized nationally and earn monetary rewards for your school, build school spirit, cooperation, and proudly display the HealthierUS banner and plaque as a symbol of their school’s achievement. We encourage you to attend this training to learn about this exciting opportunity, participate in fun activities, and to get started with the application process. More information will be available as the training date approaches.
Date: March 4, 2015
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: 810 1st Street, NE, 4th Floor, Room 4002, Washington, DC 20002
For questions, email Blair Tucker-Gruchala or call (202)741-6481
It Takes a City: DC Does it Best! Call for Proposals
Deadline for Proposals: March 27, 2015
OSSE is pleased to announce its final LEA Institute, It Takes a City: DC Does it Best!, to be held May 1-2, 2015, in Washington, DC. OSSE is currently accepting proposals from researchers and practitioners that reflect high quality, innovative best practices.
Proposals should focus on one (or more) of the following strand areas of research and practice: (a) Early Childhood; (b) Special Populations (i.e., instruction, positive behavior supports, related service delivery, secondary transition, ELL); (c) Instruction and the Common Core; (d) STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards; (e) Positive Behavior Supports; (f) Parent/Family and Engagement; and (g) Educator Effectiveness.
- The criteria for the proposals will be evaluated according to the following standards:
- Rationale for Presentation
- Participant Outcomes
- Relevance to Learners, Families, and/or Educators of Diverse Backgrounds
- Evidence of Effectiveness
To be considered, completed proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), Friday, March 20, 2015. Presenters will be notified of their selection no later than Friday, March 27, 2015. The State Institute Committee will review proposals. Sessions that include evidence- and/or research-based practices, emerging ideas, creative trend research, and strategic solutions to current issues that have potential high-yield results will be given preference. Proposals should encourage active learning and audience engagement, leaving time for discussion and interaction.
Interested individuals may submit proposals using the link provided on the Institute’s website: DC Does it Best! For questions or difficulties in accessing the online form, please contact the OSSE Teaching and Learning staff at [email protected] or 202-724-7878.
Funding Opportunity
New
DC Physical Activity for Youth (DC PAY) Grant
The purpose of this grant is to increase the capacity of District public and public charter schools to provide physical activity to all students before, during, or after the school day. Applicants can apply for grants up to $10,000.
The application submission deadline for the 2015-2016 DC PAY grant is April 3, 2015. All application information and materials are available at grants.osse.dc.gov.
For additional information, please contact Katie Lantuh.
Notice of Funding Availability for College, Credential & Career Ready Summer Initiative
The Division of Postsecondary & Career Education is excited to announce an upcoming grant competition to increase the number of middle grades youth involved in college and career readiness programming during the summer months. OSSE will fund new or expanded programs that help students in grades 6 through 8 and their families to learn about college and career pathways, develop time management, organization, and goal-setting skills, and get ready for successful high school transition. The full Request for Applications (RFA) will be available March 9, and the competition will close April 9. The NOFA is available here. For more information, please contact Chloe Woodward-Magrane, Manager of Early College & Career Awareness.
Professional Development
Reminder
ACCESS for ELLs Q & A live webinar
The ACCESS for ELLs webinar is a live training event led by a Teaching and Learning specialist from WIDA. The session will serve as a review/overview of test administration expectations and procedures. By the end of this course, all participants will know what next steps to take to become approved test administrators.
Date: 3/4/2015
Time: 10 a.m.–11 a.m.
Register
Student-led IEP Professional Learning Community Kickoff Meeting
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have been found to serve as an excellent resource for new teachers and veteran educators alike. Wednesday, March 25th is the first of several monthly Student-Led IEP PLC meetings OSSE has planned for Spring 2015. Come network with your peers, share best practices around student involvement in the IEP process, and boost your learning around a variety of specific topics related to the shared goal of increasing students' self-determination, such as:
- Strategies for involving students with significant disabilities in their IEP meetings
- Strategies for engaging administrators in student-led IEP efforts
- Family engagement strategies
- Assistive technology demonstrations
- Cultural and linguistic diversity and student-led IEPs
- Creative approaches to embedding IEP preparation in day-to-day classroom lessons
Please contact Ms. Naté Dearden at 202-741-0267 for more information.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First St, NE, Third Floor, Grand Hall Side A
Register
Events
New
Adult College Completion Fair | Revisiting the Dream: College Access and Completion for All
OSSE’s Inaugural Adult College Completion Fair, Revisiting the Dream: College Access and Completion for All, will be held April 11, 2015, 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m. at the R.I.S.E Demonstration Center at St. Elizabeth’s East. The fair is designed to educate adult learners who left college without obtaining a degree and first- time adult college students about the multiple pathways for college completion. The event will feature a community resource and college fair, college and career advising and workshops on college admissions, career exploration, financial aid and financial literacy. For more information, visit http://osse.dc.gov/service/adult-college-completion-initiative-acc.
