Letter From the Director Fellow Community Members: Welcome to your Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) website. The OSSE works to enhance educational services and opportunities that meet the life-long learning needs of all District residents. The office provides research, programs, and effective policies that ensure the equitable distribution and availability of administrative, financial, and nutrition resources. Our aim is to make this website work for you — whether it's data on quality preschool programs and services; access to reliable, up-to-date information on public schools in the District; or facts and services to support higher education decision-making. We know that college is not an option for everyone; therefore, we expect to provide access to information and services for residents who choose alternate post-secondary education avenues. The District of Columbia is a vibrant, international city with residents from across America and the world. As the nation's capital, we represent what makes America great — its diversity. We intend to offer our residents diverse options for starting and continuing their education and increasing their capacity to participate fully in the civic life of our city. First and foremost, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education is here to serve all residents of the District of Columbia. In short, the OSSE's aim is to provide you with the most current data available to make informed educational decisions. This site is one of the many strategies that we are developing to create opportunity for public voice and resident involvement in the work that we do. We welcome your input on ways to make this website and our agency more responsive to your needs. We are here to serve you. Sincerely, Deborah A Gist State Superintendent of Education