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| District Highlights | Important Dates and Deadlines | Announcements | Professional Development |
| Events |
District Highlights
- DC ESEA Waiver Renewal Process: First Stakeholder Meeting
- LEA Institute II: "It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC
- OSSE Concludes Successful Fifth Annual Postsecondary and Career Education Conference
- DCSAA Now Accepting Applications for 2014-15 Student-Athlete Scholarships
- Grosso reintroduces bill to ban Pre-K suspensions, expulsions
Important Dates and Deadlines
- 1/20: Healthy Schools Act (HSA) School Health Profile Informational Webinar
- 1/21: LEA Special Education Point of Contact (LEA SE POC) Monthly Support Webinar
- 1/22: January LEA Data Discussion Meeting
- 1/23: LEA Institute II: “It Take a City to Knock It Out of the PARCC!”
- 1/30: FY15 LEA Reimbursement and Budgeting Business Process Adjustment
- 1/30: The Best Me I Can Be: Implementing Student-led IEPs in the Special Education Planning Process
- 2/2: Required PARCC Test Coordinator Training for Charter Schools
- 2/3: Required PARCC Test Coordinator Training for DCPS Schools
- 2/3: FY15 LEA Reimbursement and Budgeting Business Process Adjustment
- 1/20: DCPS Chancellor’s Parent Cabinet Application
- 1/30: Translating the Next Generation Science Standards into Practice Pilot Study
- 1/31: DC School Garden Grant Request for Applications
- 2/1: 2015 National History Teacher of the Year Award Nominations
- 2/17: Healthy Schools Act School Health Profile Due
- 2/17: Request For Applications for the 2015 CTE Certification Program
- 2/23: Request For Applications for the 2015 DC Career Academy Network (DC-CAN)
- 4/1: PAEMST 2015 Award Nominations Open
Announcements
New
2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
NAEP 2015 is right around the corner. The NAEP administration window is January 26–March 6. Sampled students across the District in grades 4, 8, and 12 will be assessed on the nation’s largest continuing measure of student achievement. Approximately 12% of the District’s student population and 184 campuses will take part in the one-day assessment that will provide a measure of how DC students perform compared to their peers across the country.Two years ago, DC showed higher growth than any jurisdiction in the nation on the 4th and 8th grade reading and mathematics tests.
This year, students will be assessed in mathematics, reading, or science. Students do not need to study for this test, but we ask parents and teachers to encourage students to do their best and get plenty of rest the night prior to the assessment. For more information about the assessment or to review resources available for parents and teachers, please visit the
GED Testing & Inclement Weather Policy
The GED Program Office administers testing Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the office computer lab at One Judiciary Square. In case of inclement weather, if DC Government offices are closed or on delayed schedule, then GED Testing for that date and time is cancelled. Examinees may check www.dc.gov for updates.
OSSE Announces Eligibility for 2014-2015 Free and Reduced Priced Meals
OSSE announced the criteria for determining the eligibility of participants to receive free and reduced price meals for institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the Special Milk Program (SMP). Read the full announcement.
School/Student Contests and Competitions
The DuPont Challenge© Science Essay Competition
As one of the foremost student science and technology prize programs in the U.S. and Canada, the Challenge helps to increase science literacy among students and motivates them to excel in communicating scientific ideas. Students in grades 7–12 are asked to write a 700- to 1,000-word essay in one of four categories: food, energy, protection, or innovation. Prizes include U.S. Savings Bonds and a special awards trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort and the Kennedy Space Center. Teachers advising winning students receive a cash grant, the awards trip, and an expenses-paid trip to the National Science Teachers Association National Conference on Science Education.
Essay Deadline: January 31, 2015
The ExploraVision K–12 competition, which supports learning called for in the Next Generation Science Standards, challenges students in the U.S. and Canada to research a technology of interest and explore what that technology could be like 20 years from now. Up to $240,000 in savings bonds (at maturity) are awarded annually to student winners for the most innovative ideas that combine imagination with the tools of science. Winning schools, students, and teachers capture additional prizes—including computers and an expenses-paid awards event in DC for the first and second place winning students, their parents or guardians, coach and mentor, and team.
Project Deadline: January 30, 2015
Educator Opportunities
Fund for Teachers
Apply to be a fellow. Fellowships enrich the personal and professional growth of teachers by recognizing and supporting them as they identify and pursue opportunities around the globe that will have the greatest impact on their practice, the academic lives of their students and on their school communities. There will be ongoing information sessions and webinars.
Grant Deadline: January 29, 2015
Notice of Data Collection: ACCESS for ELLs Roster Verification
The roster verification for students who are slated to take the ACCESS for ELLs assessment will take place between February 17 and March 17, 2015. Please verify your LEP Coordinators with Doreen Christian. Instructions and links to webinars will be emailed shortly to the LEP Coordinators, and will also be listed in the LEA Look Forward.
Reminder
OSSE Feedback Survey
Interim State Superintendent Amy Maisterra is asking for your support in soliciting input on ways that OSSE can better serve LEAs. Please complete the brief survey at: http://goo.gl/forms/9z8ZpTFo4T.
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 POCs). Register here.
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 POCs 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 Kathy Ashe.
The Rights of Undocumented and/or Unaccompanied Students
Under Federal law, DCPS and DC Public Charter Schools are required to provide all children with equal access to public education at the elementary and secondary level. It is important to ensure that student enrollment practices do not discourage the participation, or lead to the exclusion, of students based on their, or their parents’ or guardians’ or primary caregivers’, actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Policies and practices that discourage the enrollment of undocumented students are in violation of Federal law. To ensure that student’s undocumented status does not become an enrollment barrier, LEAs are encouraged to:
- Ensure that enrollment practices do not pressure unaccompanied children and youth to identify an alternate caregiver.
- Share information about the rights of students who are undocumented and those who are homeless.
- Collaborate with youth-serving agencies in your community.
- Help youth navigate higher education admissions and financial aid.
- Ensure that school policies do not assume that all students have lawful immigration status.
Keep in mind that some students may not have or be able to obtain standard immigration documents when planning school activities, such as vocational programs, voter registration events or field trips requiring identification.
For more detailed guidance, please access the following links:
US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights Undocumented Students Dear Colleague Letter
Administration for Children and Families Unaccompanied Children Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Development
New
English Language Learners: Introduction to English Language Development Standards
This webinar, led by a WIDA Learning Specialist, is designed to engage participants in learning about academic language within the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards. The purpose of the live webinar is to familiarize educators who are new to the WIDA ELD Standards Framework with its components and their uses in instructional planning and language assessment.
Date: February 11, 2015
Time: 10 a.m.–Noon
Register
If you have questions, contact Katie Williams at (202) 550-4952.
Integrating Nutrition Education into the School Curriculum
Research shows nutrition education in the classroom helps to change student behavior around healthy eating. With limited time available to teach nutrition, learn how to incorporate nutrition education into existing lesson plans not only in Health Education classes, but throughout the school day. Instructors of all grade levels and representing all subjects are invited and encouraged to attend! Come out and receive nutrition recommendations and resources that meet common core and next generation science standards!
Register
Exploring Primary Caregiving and Continuity of Care
Activities during this session encourage participants to reflect on the meaning of relationships in their lives and connect their feelings about relationships to the relationship experiences of infants and toddlers in group care. In a small group activity, participants develop strategies to address social, economic, and attitudinal barriers to implementing the policies of primary care and continuity.
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Time: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: OSSE
810 First Street NE, 3rd Floor, Grand Hall Side A
Units/Clock Hours: 3 Professional Learning Units
Core Knowledge Area: Child Growth and Development
Alignment: Infant CLASS/ Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale
Register
Cost: FREE
Preparing for Assessments with Strengthened Supports (PASS) Webinar Series
OSSE in collaboration with Charter School Essentials, is pleased to offer a series of professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and school leaders in DC. The Preparing for Assessments with Strengthened Supports (P.A.S.S.) webinar and training series is designed to prepare educators for the Partnership of Assessments for Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment. Webinars and in-person training sessions will begin with pre-recorded webinar sessions in January and live webinar and in-person sessions held during the months of February and March. For more information, please email Abreyon Moses.
Date: February 2, 2015
Time: 5 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Trainer Contact: Abreyon Moses
Webinar link: http://osse.adobeconnect.com/cse/
Reminder
Translating the Next Generation Science Standards into Practice
Join OSSE for Translating the Next Generation Science Standards into Practice, a pilot program for middle and high school instructional teams. This program is part of a pilot study, developed by the American Museum of Natural History, West Ed and Biological Studies Curriculum Center. The program is designed to provide instructional teams with a deep understanding of how to develop curriculum, instruction, and assessment aligned to the vision of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). DC will join twelve other state teams in this program.
This pilot is geared toward instructional teams from LEAs serving middle and high school age students. Team should consist of 2 or 3 participants, including combinations of instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, science department chairs, and educators. Participants will receive materials, a stipend and PLUs towards re-certification. Participants are required to complete all aspects of the trainings and will be recognized for their participation.
Registration Deadline: Friday January 30, 2015 at 5 p.m.
Session Dates (each session will be held from 8:30–3:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, February 7, 2015
- Saturday, February 28, 2015
- Saturday, March 7, 2015
- Saturday, March 21, 2015
- Saturday, April 18, 2015
- Saturday, April 25, 2015
To apply, please complete the NGSS 3.0 registration form. Capacity is limited to 10 school or LEA teams.
Training for LEA Homeless Liaisons on Youth Vulnerability Index and Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT)
At least one in every 24 enrolled public school students in DC is homeless. OSSE is working aggressively to remove educational barriers for students in unstable and/or transitory housing. In 2015, as a part the work of the DC Interagency Council on Homelessness, OSSE is partnering with other District agencies to design, implement, and test a system of coordinated entry for at least 200 DC youth in the next 100 days. The primary focus of this effort is to ensure that the most vulnerable students receive more timely supports and interventions. In order to succeed in achieving this ambitious goal, OSSE is encouraging each liaison in every school to receive appropriate training.
To register for one of the VI-SPDAT trainings, please select one of the following links (Note: Content is identical, participants should register for one session):
McKinney-Vento Liaison Youth-Specific VI-SPDAT Training for Individuals #1
January 26, 2015, 9:30 a.m.–11 a.m.
McKinney-Vento Liaison Youth-Specific VI-SPDAT Training for Individuals #2
January 26, 2015, Noon–1:30 p.m.
McKinney-Vento Liaison Youth-Specific VI-SPDAT Training for Individuals #3
January 26, 2015, 2:30 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location: 1331 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
All sessions will begin on time.
For any questions regarding the VI-SPDAT Training, please email Nicole Lee-Mwandha.
The Best Me I Can Be: Implementing Student-led IEPs
Research has shown that students who actively participate throughout the IEP process have higher levels of school engagement and are more likely to achieve their academic and personal goals. Participants will learn how student-led IEPs fit within the broader concept of self-determination and become familiar with resources, including “The Best Me I Can Be” film modules and the Student-led IEP Toolkit, that illustrates how to facilitate increased student engagement in the planning process for students of all ages through curriculum, activities, and guided discussions.
Presenter: OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education (ESSE)
Date: January 30 and February 27, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First St. NE, 8th Floor Room 806 A & B
Register
Events
New
DC ESEA Waiver Renewal Process: First Stakeholder Meeting
OSSE will host its first stakeholder meeting on Monday, January 26 to discuss DC’s ESEA waiver renewal process. States are required to submit an application by March 31, 2015, for consideration. The U.S. Department of Education has also required states to submit an updated plan to address equitable access to quality teachers. This plan, which has intersections with the waiver, is due in June 2015. Register
Inaugural State Institute on Best Practices in Education: Request for Proposals
OSSE is pleased to announce its inaugural State Institute on Best Practices in Education, to be held May 1–2, 2015, in DC. OSSE is currently accepting proposals from local and national researchers and practitioners that reflect high quality, innovative best practices. We will also be soliciting proposals from LEAs to present on local best practices.
Proposals should be focused on one (or more) of the following strand areas of research and practice:
- Early Childhood
- Special Populations (i.e., instruction, positive behavior supports, related service delivery, secondary transition, and ELL)
- Instruction and the Common Core
- STEM and the Next Generation Science Standards Positive Behavior Supports
- Parent/Family and Engagement
Session type(s) will include:
- Poster
- Workshop
- Lecture
- Panel
- Plenary
More information on how to apply will be forthcoming in future editions of the LEA Look Forward. If you have any initial questions, please contact Brandon Wallace or (202) 741-5944.
Reminder
LEA Institute II: “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!”
OSSE will host the second LEA Institute “It Takes a City to Knock it Out the PARCC!” on Friday, January 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.
SAVE THE DATE: May 6, 2015 – Boosting Success for 21st Century Learners
The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center's 4th Annual Boosting Success for 21st Century Learners: Equitable Practices for High Achievement Conference will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2015 in Linthicum Heights, MD. The program this year will highlight two important tracks: (1) School Climate and (2) English Language Learners (ELL). Registration will open in early 2015. Learn more about the conference.
For questions or more information, please email Noelle Haile or call 301-657-7741 x111.
