The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is required by federal law to measure school performance using an accountability system that is approved by the US Department of Education (USED) (you can read about how we measure performance for traditional schools in this blog post). OSSE has taken significant steps to revamp its accountability system for alternative schools by December 2025. The updates to the alternative accountability system aim to balance fairness with practicality, ensuring that the unique populations and missions of the District’s alternative schools are recognized and supported.

In this post, we are sharing a closer look at what this means and how it will impact alternative education in the District.

Why Change?

OSSE has not calculated accountability scores for alternative schools since before the pandemic due to various waivers that we submitted to and approved by USED. We know that alternative schools serve students who face significant challenges such as homelessness, court supervision, or previous school expulsions. Therefore, OSSE is updating the accountability system to better reflect the goals and needs of alternative schools.

Exploring Options

The Division of Data, Assessment, and Research (DAR) has explored various options to update the alternative accountability system. As part of the process of deciding what updates should be made to the system, DAR engaged in extensive research and analysis of state accountability plans across the US and engaged with a variety of local stakeholders and school leaders on alternative accountability.

Here’s a brief overview of the potential paths that DAR considered:

1. No Changes: Maintain the current system without updates.
2. Reallocate Point Values: Keep existing metrics but adjust how points are distributed.
3. Redefine Business Rules: Modify how existing metrics are calculated.
4. Add New Metrics: Introduce new metrics while keeping some existing ones.
5. Comprehensive Overhaul: Remove some existing metrics, add new ones, and reallocate point values.

What’s Changing?

After thorough research and consultation, OSSE’s decided to move forward with the comprehensive overhaul of Option 5 to remove existing metrics, add new ones, and reallocate point values. This approach is designed to better align the alternative accountability system with the specific needs of alternative schools.

Here’s what the proposed changes include:

1. Replacing the Re-engagement Metric: The current re-engagement metric, which tracks the reintegration of previously disengaged students, will be replaced with an Academic Persistence metric. This new metric focuses on keeping students engaged in their education proactively rather than reacting to disengagement.
2. Attendance Metrics Overhaul: Instead of relying on a single “best of” attendance metric, the new system will include both Chronic Absenteeism and Attendance Growth. This change aims to address long-term attendance issues while also recognizing improvements and aligns with attendance goals in the District.
3. Increasing Total Points: The total possible points will increase to 100, aligning the alternative accountability system more closely with the traditional school accountability measures.

Breakdown of Metrics

Here’s a snapshot of the proposed metrics for different framework levels:

Moving Forward

The updated alternative accountability system will be implemented by December 2025, with changes based on SY24-25 data. This timeline provides time for LEAs and schools to adapt to the new system before it impacts the next round of school improvement designations in 2027. See more about designations here.

DAR would like to express appreciation for those who participated in the four engagement sessions. As part of the work towards these enhancements, the feedback from the alternative school leaders and stakeholders has been invaluable.

What’s Next?

We are happy to share this explainer that you can print out or share online. We have an FAQ document, as well. We will also update the Technical Guide accordingly for the 2025 DC School Report Card. These updates will ensure that the alternative accountability system more accurately reflects the goals and realities of alternative schools, fostering a more supportive environment for all students.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to implementing these important changes.