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| Events |
District Highlights
- Save the Date: 5th Annual Postsecondary & Career Education Conference
- District of Columbia’s ESEA Waiver Extension and Plans Moving Forward
- "Get Started Now" Secondary Transition Public Awareness Campaign LEA Mixer (Event Photo gallery)
- School Leaders: Sign-up today to learn about critical resources to support student achievement
- My School DC EdFEST
Important Dates and Deadlines to Remember
Dates
- 10/31: Registration Required for The Nuts and Bolts of Secondary Transition for Students with Disabilities Training
- 11/3: Early Learning Foundations Day 1: Social Emotional Foundations Of Early Learning (Birth Through Pre-K)
- 11/3-7: DC College Application Week
- 11/4: Early Learning Foundations Day 2: Adult And Pediatric First Aid/CPR And Preventing Blood-borne Pathogens
- 11/5: PARCC 101
- 11/7: Joining the Professional Development Registry
- 11/7: It Takes a City: Bridging Schools to Resources for Enhanced Student Outcomes
- 11/10: Early Childhood Leadership Seminar I: Preparing a Winning Proposal
- 11/13: Serving Students in Transitory Housing: School Access and Stability
- 11/14: Special Education Data System (SEDS) Train-the-Trainer
- 11/15: National Science Teachers Association Virtual Conference: NGSS Practices in Action
- 11/17: Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
- 11/18: Serving Students in Transitory Housing: Support for School Success and Special Population
- 11/19: The Best Me I Can Be: Implementing Student-led IEPs
- 11/19: Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Support Webinar Series
- 11/20: Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights and Services
Deadlines
- 10/31: OSSE Scholars Applications Due
- 11/2: Students Born Outside of US data collection
- 11/5: The Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program Application Submission Deadline
Announcements
New
ACCESS 2.0 Field Test Speaking Sample Collection Registration
As a separate activity from the 2014-2015 ACCESS 2.0 Field Test, WIDA and CAL are teaming up to collect ‘Speaking Samples’ to inform the development of training materials for the ACCESS 2.0 Speaking Screener. As an incentive, participating schools will receive headsets, a $250.00 honorarium, and a growth report.
English Language Learners at all grade levels (1-12) and proficiency levels, including Year 1 and 2 monitored students are encouraged to participate. The collection of speaking samples can be conducted any time after December 15, 2014.
Register to confirm participation.
For questions and inquiries, contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle or call (202) 374-1328
2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Nominations
Nominations for the 2015 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are now open. Principals, teachers, students, parents, and the public may nominate exceptional math or science teachers who are currently teaching grades 7-12. Teachers may also self-nominate. The President bestows up to 108 awards each year. Since the program’s inception in 1983, over 4,300 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
OSSE Releases its Annual Special Education Parent Survey
OSSE is pleased to release its Annual Special Education Parent Survey which begins October 31, 2014 and closes December 15, 2014. The survey is available electronically and should be completed by parents of children who received special education and related services during the 2013 - 2014 School Year. Hard copies of the survey will also be mailed to the households of families. Parent responses are confidential and will guide the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education’s efforts to improve services and results for children and families.
OSSE is requesting the assistance of local education agencies to disseminate the survey. If OSSE receives enough responses to the survey based on an individual LEA, a report summarizing the survey results will be provided.
Additional information regarding the survey timelines and guidance are available on OSSE’s website. You may view the information by selecting the following link: OSSE Annual Parent Survey or by visiting http://osse.dc.gov/service/annual-specialized-education-parent-survey.
For questions or inquiries for the survey, please contact Ms. Desirée Brown, Special Projects Manager, Community and Parent Relations or call (202) 478-5896.
Connecting to the Common Core with Science Fairs
Science Fairs and hands on projects are a great way to make connections to the common core. Students use mathematical reasoning, measurement and data analysis. They present their information and write up analysis citing evidence from their experiments and informational text. Access resources to help find student projects or even plan a school event with the help of Science Buddies, a great online resource.
Professional Development
New
Early Learning Foundations Day 1: Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (Birth through Pre-K)
This course gleans content from the Center on the Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (CSEFEL) infant, toddler, and Pre-K training modules. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, small and large group activities which emphasize the importance of positive social-emotional climates for children from birth through age 5.
Date: November 3, 2014
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Board of Childcare, 308 15th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
NCSC/DC CAS Alt Science Student Eligibility
This is a webinar that will provide Special Educators with an overview of the eligibility criteria for participation in Alternate Assessments based on Alternate Achievement Standards (AA-AAS).
Date: November 4, 2014
Time: 9:30am-10:30am EST
Location: Webinar (online)
For questions and inquiries, contact Michelle Blakey-Tuggle or call (202) 374-1328
Early Learning Foundations Day 2: Adult And Pediatric First Aid/CPR And Preventing Blood-borne Pathogens
Would you know what to do in a cardiac, breathing or first aid emergency in your home, center or school? The right answer could help you save a life. With an emphasis on hands-on learning, the First Aid/CPR/AED courses give you the skills to save a life as well as a short course in the prevention of blood-borne pathogens. Successful participants will receive First Aid/CPR Certification.
Date: November 4, 2014
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Board of Childcare, 308 15th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Intensive Highly Qualified Teacher and Paraprofessional Workshop
This course discusses the nuances of DC’s highly qualified educator requirements with a focus on parental notification, proper documentation for paraprofessional qualifications, the High, Objective, Uniform State Standards of Evaluation (HOUSSE) process, requirements for early childhood, special education, and ELL teachers, and more.
Date: November 4, 2014
Time: 2pm–4pm
Location: 810 First Street NE, 5th Floor, Room 5014
Early Learning Foundations Day 3 (AM): DC Common Core Early Learning Standards
This highly interactive training will provide participants with an understanding of the fundamentals of the District of Columbia Common Core Early Learning Standards (DC CCELS) in order to use the standards to build a foundation for high quality care and education for all children from birth to pre-kindergarten.
The training will use group discussions, hands-on activities, and video clips to allow participants to explore the components and structure of the DC CCELS and develop an understanding of the beginning stages of effective implementation.
Date: November 6, 2014
Time: 9am–12:30pm
Location: Board of Childcare, 308 15th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Early Learning Foundations Day 3 (PM): Fostering Competence in the Approach to Children with Developmental Delays and Identified Disabilities
Participants will learn about experiences and daily challenges when young children with diverse backgrounds and abilities are present in their programs. This interactive session will include an overview of systems, referrals, solutions, and best practice for inclusive early education.
Date: November 6, 2014
Time: 9am–12:30pm
Location: Board of Childcare, 308 15th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Joining the Professional Development Registry
Participants learn about the benefits of having an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) account in the DC Professional Development Registry (PDR). Through this training, you will create your own PDR account, learn how to upload, input, and store vital information in your ECE account, and even begin to create your own professional resume generated by the PDR system.
Date: November 7, 2014
Time: 1pm–4pm
Location: 810 First Street NE, 3rd Floor, CIO Computer Lab
Early Childhood Leadership Seminar I: Preparing a Winning Proposal
Session will develop each participant’s grant writing portfolio and provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of grant writing. Attendees will learn step-by-step how to develop award winning grant proposals, as well as how to have 90% of the proposal complete before even beginning.
Date: November 10, 2014
Time: 10am–12pm
Location: 810 First Street NE, 8th Floor, Room 806
Reproductive Health Model Training
The Health Education Team (HET) will be hosting a free workshop on health education using 3D male and female reproductive health models on November 12 for school personnel and community-based health educators. This workshop will prepare health educators to provide more interactive instruction around male and female anatomy, sexual health education and contraceptive use. All participants will receive deluxe 3D male and female reproductive health models and instructional supplies to keep.
Date: November 12, 2014
Time: 4pm–6pm
Location: DC Department of Health, 899 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, 4th Floor- Room 407 (Nearest Metro Union Station -Red Line)
Who Should Attend: Health education teachers, school personnel, after-school coordinators, professionals who work on health education and school health, and community based organizations who work with schools within DC.
For questions and inquiries, contact Sombo Pujeh or call (202)741-5932
Register here (Registration required and limited to the first 25 registrants)
Orientation to PARCC Online Resources: Practice Tests, Tutorials, Computer-Based Accessibility Features
Training will feature an introduction to online PARCC resources, including PARCC practice tests and tutorials. Also, the training provides an overview and demonstration of PARCC computer-based accessibility features for all students.
Date: November 13, 2014
Time: 1:30pm–3:30pm
Location: 810 First Street NE, 8th Floor, Room 806
For questions and inquiries, contact Bonnie O’Keffe or call (202) 724-7655
The Nuts and Bolts of Secondary Transition
Educators who understand the basics of transition planning have increased abilities to develop realistic postsecondary goals, provide individualized transition services, and maintain overall Indicator 13 compliance. This introductory training will provide a brief overview of the foundational theories that guide quality transition planning. Participants will learn about secondary transition (a) best practices, (b) legal requirements, (c) tips for creating compliant secondary transition plans, and (d) how to capture this information within SEDS (Special Education Data System). Additionally, participants will receive information about interagency collaboration and become familiar with resources that can support transition plan development and implementation.
Date: November 14, 2014
Time: 8:30pm–3:30pm
Location: 810 1st Street, NE, Room 806 A and B, Washington, DC 20002
National Science Teachers Association Virtual Conference: NGSS Practices in Action
During this one-day interactive virtual conference, teachers will learn how to integrate Next Generation Science Standards practices into the K-12 classroom. The day will begin with a general session and be followed by three breakout sessions. Participants will come together again for a closing general session.
All educators who register for the virtual conference will have access to the archive recordings of all presentations and all resource collections.
Presenters: OSSE Division of Teaching and Learning
Date: November 15, 2014
Time: 10am-6pm
Audience: K-12 educators
Registration: Member price: $79, Nonmember price: $99, Attendance/Participation Certificate: $9.95
The Best Me I Can Be: Implementing Student-led IEPs in the Special Education Planning Process
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.
Date: November 19, 2014
Time: 8:30am–3:30pm
Location: 810 First Street NE, Room 806 A and B
Events
New
Next Generation Assessment Meeting - November 2014
DC local education agency (LEA) staff and interested education stakeholders are invited to the monthly Next Generation Assessment meetings. OSSE will update and seek feedback on the Next Generation Assessments, including computer-based and paper-based assessments in reading, composition, math, science, health, English language proficiency and DC's alternate assessments. The meeting agenda will be released to registrants prior to the meeting. November's meeting will include information on the PARCC student registration process.
Date: November 3, 2014
Time: 1pm–3pm
Location: 810 First Street NE 3rd Floor, Grand Hall
For questions and inquiries, contact Bonnie O’Keffe or call (202) 724-7655
An Invitation to Provide Input on the District’s New Special Education Performance Plan
The IDEA requires each state to have a Part B State Performance Plan (SPP). The SPP is a multi-year performance plan designed to evaluate the implementation of special education services and describe how the state will improve the implementation of special education services over the duration of the plan.
Like other state education agencies, OSSE has an opportunity to review and update certain performance targets as it develops a new performance plan due in 2015. The US Department of Education has identified 17 special education content areas, or indicators, that must be measured in each state’s SPP. OSSE will be holding several meetings at which stakeholders can provide input and advice to the SEA on establishing targets through 2018 for each indicator.
OSSE has scheduled two meetings geared toward LEA stakeholders to begin gathering input on the SPP- indicators 1–16. One of the meetings is designed as a webinar and the other as an in-person meeting. Please register and plan to attend one of the meetings below:
Date: Monday, November 17, 2014
Time: 3pm–4pm
Location: Webinar
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014
Time: 9:30pm–10:30pm
Location: OSSE Headquarters, 810 First Street, NE, Rm 806B
To register, please contact Amber Schlick
If you have questions about the SPP target setting process, please contact Dr. Jennifer Masoodi, director of Special Education Compliance and Monitoring, or call (202) 741-0479.
District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) Programming: Orwellian America
January 21-31, 2015, the DC Public Library will be hosting a program titled "Orwellian America?" A series of citywide events surrounding the issues of government transparency and personal privacy in the digital age. One of the main events will be a public, live-streamed, marathon reading of George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four", with readers reading aloud for approximately 10 minutes. DCPL has partnered with local organizations to provide educational workshops on internet privacy and security for teens and adults. DCPL will like to involve area schools and students who are in the process of reading "Nineteen Eighty-Four", by either hosting a book discussion at a location near to their schools or through visits to classrooms during the month of January. DCPL is excited about this program and how it can impact teens; planned workshops that will talk about protecting oneself online from cyber-stalking and cyber-bullying will be a feature.
For questions and inquiries about the program, please feel free to contact by email Catherine Gees. Be on the lookout for more information and a schedule of events, as the date draws closer.
