Educator Licensure and Accreditation

Mission

To maintain the highest standards of service, accountability and quality to licensure applicants, local educational agencies, university partners, and local, state and federal stakeholders in the educational community.

Overview of Programs and Services

• Educator Licensure Services: Teachers, school-based service providers and administrators.
• Educator Preparation Program Approval and Accreditation: For District of Columbia colleges/universities, nonprofit organizations and local educational agencies (LEAs).
• Educator Quality Data & Reporting: Local Education Agency reporting requirements and Statewide, LEA and School Highly Qualified and Licensure Data
• Recognition and Support Opportunities for District of Columbia Educators

Grant Funding Opportunity

The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is soliciting applications for the development and provision of professional development programs aimed at enhancing student achievement in eligible Local Educational Agencies (LEAs).  The purpose of these professional development programs will be to ensure that teachers, highly qualified paraprofessionals, and, if appropriate, principals have subject matter knowledge in the core academic subjects they teach, and build upon the skills necessary to help students master core academic subjects.  The Teacher Quality Improvement Grant Program is authorized under Part A, Subpart 3 of Title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended – Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund. In alignment with the District of Columbia’s Race to the Top initiatives, adoption of the State Common Core Standards, and the overall strategic vision of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), preferential consideration will be given to applications that address one or more established OSSE priorities.  For more information on eligible OSSE priorities, please see the full Request for Applications.

Eligibility: The Teacher Quality Improvement Grant Program is a partnership grant.  An eligible application must include the following principal partners at a minimum: (1) a private or State IHE and the division of the institution that prepares teachers and principals; (2) a school of arts and sciences; and (3) a high need LEA.

Award Period: The grant period will be from the date of award until September 30th, 2014.

Available Funding for Awards: The amount available for this award period is approximately $284,468. 

Anticipated Number and Amount of Awards: Historically, grants have ranged in the amount of $50,000 to $100,000.

The Request for Applications (RFA) was released on Friday, March 1, 2013, and the deadline for submissions is Monday, April 22, 2013 at 5:00pm.  The RFA may be downloaded at the following web address:

http://osse.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/osse/publication/attachments/2013%20final%20RFA%20OFeres_2132013.pdf

Prospective applicants are encouraged to telephone or email questions to Orman Feres at 202-741-5218 or orman.feres@dc.gov.