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District Highlights

• District Releases School Equity Reports
• District Seeks Applications for Summer Meals Program Sponsors and Sites
• Information from the DC State Education Plan (ESEA Waiver Renewal, DC Plan for Equitable Access to Excellent Educators, and Special Education State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP)) Meeting
• Obama scraps plan to tax college accounts

Important Dates and Deadlines

Dates

• 2015 DC Assessment Timeline (NEW)
• 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
• 2/3: Counselor Professional Development: How to More Effectively Engage Families
• 2/5: National Girls and Women in Sports Day
• 2/5: Accountability Working Group Session 1: Introduction and Metrics
• 2/5: Equitable Access to Excellent Educators Working Group
• 2/19: NGSS 1.0: Introducing the Next Generation Science Standards for LEAs and School Leaders
• 2/23: School Wellness Team Training
• 2/19: NGSS 1.0: Introducing the Next Generation Science Standards for LEAs and School Leaders
• 2/23: School Wellness Team Training

>>>View the OSSE calendar

Deadlines

• 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

DC TAG Application Opens February 2

Test Security Guidelines

OSSE’s Test Security Guidelines set forth minimum requirements to ensure that LEAs and school personnel are able to maintain appropriate test security procedures during the administration of District-wide assessments.

Please ensure that all teachers and administrators review these guidelines, which will be circulated broadly and will also be addressed at the upcoming OSSE LEA Test Coordinator trainings on February 2 and 3, 2015. Read the guidelines here.

February is FAFSA Completion Month!

This February OSSE is excited to announce the launch of the FAFSA Completion Initiative, which has brought together a wide array of District organizations that have committed to increase the District of Columbia’s rate of FAFSA completion. The initiative includes a District-wide campaign to encourage all students to complete their FAFSA through posters, postcards, flyers, and public service announcements; an online web portal created in collaboration with the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Kresge Foundation through which participating DCPS and Charter public high schools can access regularly updated student-level FAFSA completion data , and four FAFSA Submission Events at community sites across the city in late February that will give students and their families the opportunity to receive additional FAFSA submission assistance.    All District high school counselors will receive FAFSA Completion Initiative posters, FAFSA checklist postcards, and FAFSA Submission Event flyers in the coming weeks with assistance from the DC- College Access Program.  For more information on the initiative, please visit osse.dc.gov/fafsa

Test Integrity Coordinators should submit their LEA Test Plans to OSSE

Test Integrity Coordinators who have yet to submit their LEA Test Plans are urged to send the required documentation to OSSE. For assistance, please contact Dr. Tonya Mead, state test integrity coordinator, at (office) 202-741-5991 or (cell) 202-374-9066.

ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Field Test Opportunity

WIDA is looking for more volunteers to participate in the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 Field Test that is happening right now. Specifically, volunteers would administer a speaking activity for ELL students in grades 1-12 that will give these students the opportunity to practice using a microphone to electronically capture responses for the speaking component of the new, computerized ACCESS for ELLs. This opportunity to participate in the Field Test is only available for a short period of time and spaces are limited. Please email Katie Williams as soon as possible if you are interested.

Date: As soon as possible, if interested in participating.

Contact: Katie Williams, [email protected]

Reminder

Prepare for the new DC State Assessments

New Year, New Promotion: Take the GED® Practice Test for $1 per subject

Take the GED Ready® official practice test to:  1) find out if you’re ready to take the GED test; 2) get personal study plans to help you score higher; and 3) see the exact pages/chapters you need to study when the candidate inputs the specific name of the GED study guide used.  To purchase your GED Ready practice test for $1, log into your MyGED account and use the promotion code READYFORABUCK at check out.  GED-eligible DC residents who do not have a computer nor Internet access may take the GED Ready practice test at the GED Program Office (GEDPO) computer lab.  

Date:         Effective From January 26–February 28, 2015.
Time:        Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
GEDPO Office Hours:      Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m;  
Second Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.;
Second Saturdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. by appointment.
Location:          DC GED Program Office, 441 Fourth Street, NW, Suite 370, North, WDC 20001

For questions, please contact Deysi Ramirez or Meta Trivers, 202-274-7173.

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.

*Date approaching* LEA Special Education Point of Contact (LEA SE POC) Monthly Support Webinar

During the school year, OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education (ESSE) host a monthly webinar support series for all LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SE POC). This webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m.–11 a.m.  LEA SE POCs should plan to attend and participate in these monthly webinars.  All webinars are recorded and archived.

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

Date:         Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Time:        10 a.m.–11 a.m.

Register

Professional Development

New

SLED Trainings for New Users

The Division of Data, Accountability and Research will host training sessions for new users of the Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System. To register, please send an email message to [email protected].

Dates:         February 10 and 11, 2015

Time:          1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location:      810 First Street, NE
               Third Floor Training Lab
               Washington, DC 20002

Trauma Informed Care Training

Unit:  Teaching and Learning

OSSE, in collaboration with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), will be facilitating trauma informed care training. This training will provide an overview on trauma system therapy (TST), an evidence-based treatment model that provides mental health services and support to children and adolescents with histories of exposure to traumatic events and who experience difficulties regulating their emotions and behaviors (both or either in the community or school).

Dates:           February 19 and February 20, 2015
Times:           9 a.m.–Noon and 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location:        Charles Sumner School
                 1201 17th Street NW
                 Washington, DC 20036

Register

For questions, please contact [email protected].

Review Key Compliance Areas with the Nonpublic Compliance Monitoring Team
Unit:  QAM
 
ESSE’s Nonpublic compliance and monitoring team is conducting an informational webinar to review key areas of compliance in special education practice. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2015, 9 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
 
In this training, OSSE will cover the following regulatory areas:
 

1. Restraint and seclusion implementation, documentation, and follow up
2. Attendance and truancy notification
3. Related services documentation

Each area will be covered in 45-minute sessions to enable school staff responsible for respective areas to attend only those sessions. The format of each session will include a:

• Review of past findings of noncompliance (10 minutes)
• Summary of relevant federal and District of Columbia regulations (10 minutes)
• Facilitated Q&A discussion on demonstrating compliant practice (25 minutes)

Register

Reminder

Meal Pattern Training for Breakfast and Lunch

School food authorities and vendors are invited to attend the Lunch and Breakfast Meal Pattern Training hosted by The National Food Service Management Institute on February 10th 9:00-4:00 p.m. at OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, Third Floor Grand Hall. This training provides an overview of the Meal Pattern for lunch and breakfast, focusing on Food-Based Menu Planning required for the National School Lunch Program. Activities and group discussion are used to reinforce training objectives.

*Note: This training does not discuss certification of compliance with meal requirements or the six (6) cents per lunch rule.

Lesson topics include:

• New Meal Pattern
• Vegetable Subgroups
• Whole Grain-Rich Foods
• Meal Components and Menu Planning
• Calorie Range for Breakfast and Lunch Menus
• Dietary Specifications for Sodium, Saturated Fat, and Trans Fat
• Offer Versus Serve (OVS)

Location: OSSE, 810 1st Street, NE, 3rd Floor, Grand Hall

For more information, email Noni Robinson or call 202-741-6418.

Register

Yoga for Healthier & Happier Classrooms

Yoga & mindfulness can improve breathing and circulation, strengthen the immune system, reduce body strain and injury, and promote greater self-care and resilience. Led by a certified yoga instructor (RYT 200), approved trainer, and early childhood educator, this interactive class will introduce you to yoga movement, breathing techniques and mindfulness activities that you can practice and develop in yourself and share with your students for improved health and safety in the classroom. No prior yoga experience required. $25.00 per person.

Dates: February 27; March 27; and April 24, 2015 classes available
Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: M Street Yoga
                 300 M Street, SW, Washington DC 20024

Register

For questions, please Contact: Lisa Danahy.

Event

New

LEA Institute II: “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!” Recap

On January 23, 2015, OSSE hosted its LEA Institute II: “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!” at Gallaudet University’s Kellogg Center.  This LEA Institute was focused on preparing and gearing up educators for Next Generation Assessments (NGA) including PARCC, NCSC, and NGSS.  OSSE invited national and local expects to provide pertinent information and to answer the most pressing questions in the following areas:

• NGA Communication Strategies
• Curriculum Alignment and Best Practices
• Assessment Procedures and Technology Readiness
• Assessment Considerations for Special Populations

Click here for a recap of the event and to view copies of all presentations.  Save the date for OSSE’s next LEA Institute, which will be held on May 1 and 2, 2015, and will focus on best practices in education.