The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is committed to helping child development facilities, local education agencies (LEAs), schools and families plan effectively for reopening and recovery after closures related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency. This page includes downloadable guidance, information and supports related to closures, reopening and recovery. This page is frequently updated – please check back as we continue to update information.
Educators, families and the public should find information about public health and safety at coronavirus.dc.gov.
Health and Safety Guidance
K-12 Schools
- DC Health Guidance for Educational Facilities (Updated 3/25/2022)
- PPE in Schools and Child Care Facilities (Updated: 5/9/2022)
- Daily Screening Questions for Families with Children Attending School (Updated: 4/13/2022)
- Return Criteria (Updated: 4/11/2022)
- Exclusion and Dismissal Criteria and Protocols (Updated: 3/21/2022)
- Close Contact Identification Workflow for Schools (Updated: 3/21/2022)
- Return Matrix (Updated: 3/10/22)
- Health and Safety Guidance Sources (Posted: 3/10/22)
- School Operational Posture Guidance (Posted: 12/29/21)
- Antigen Test Frequently Asked Questions for School Leaders (Updated: 1/5/2022)
- Formula Allocations to Support School-Based Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing in 2021-22 School Year
- School Health and Safety Resources (Updated: 9/3/2021)
Child Care Providers
- DC Health Guidance for Educational Facilities (Updated 3/25/2022)
- PPE in Schools and Child Care Facilities (Updated: 5/9/2022)
- Daily Screening Questions for Families with Children Attending Child Care (Updated: 4/13/2022)
- Return Criteria (Updated: 4/11/2022)
- Exclusion and Dismissal Criteria and Protocols (Updated: 3/21/2022)
- Daily Screening Tracker (Updated: 3/21/2022)
- Return Matrix (Updated: 3/10/22)
- Extension for Collection of Oral Health Assessment Forms (Posted 9/27/21)
- Healthy Habits for Families While Outside of Child Care
- District of Columbia COVID-19 Testing Sites
- What to Expect at Your Child Care Provider During Spring 2022 (Posted: 4/26/2022)
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adults Regularly in Schools or Child Care Facilities and for Student-Athletes
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COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Guidance for Student-Athletes (Updated 12/1/21)
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COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate for Schools Frequently Asked Questions (Posted 11/9/21)
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COVID-19 Vaccination Religious Exemption Template for Employees, Contractors, Interns, and Volunteers in Schools and Child Care Facilities (Posted 10/18/21)
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COVID-19 Vaccination Religious Exemption Template for Student Athletes (Posted 10/18/21)
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Guidance Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19): Required Vaccinations for Child Development Facility Staff (Posted 10/20/2021)
COVID-19 Vaccine Information Sessions
- Vaccine Information Session for School, Child Care and OSSE Division of Student Transportation Leaders
- Vaccine Information Session for School, Child Care and OSSE Division of Student Transportation Staff: Español
- District of Columbia COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Resources for K-12 Schools and LEAs
COVID-19 Testing:
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Test to Stay Resources
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Opt-Out Forms
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Nasal-Based Test for COVID-19 Information and Opt-Out Form (Issued: 1/5/2022)
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School-Based COVID-19 Testing Opt-Out Form (Saliva Based) (Issued: 8/27/2021)
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Mailed-to-Home Test Information
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Start of School Resources
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COVID-19 Medical Consent & Certification for Distance Learning School Year 2021-22:
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Student Condition, Distance Learning Required (Updated: 11/9/2021)
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Student Condition, Distance Learning Recommended (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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Household Member Condition, Distance Learning Recommended (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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Students Possibly Subject to Educational Neglect (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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Educator Licensure
- Prueba para la Certificación de Maestros (PCMAS) Scoring (Issued: 7/31/2020)
- Educator Credential Application Extension Processes Guidance (Issued: 4/21/2020)
- EPP Clinical Experience/Fieldwork Requirements Guidance (Issued: 4/6/2020)
Planning for Continuous Education and Virtual Professional Development
- Guiding Principles for Continuous Education (updated 5/2021)
- Outdoor Learning Resources (Updated 4/2021)
- High-Dosage Tutoring Guidance (Issued 3/15/2021)
- Teaching and Learning Professional Development Opportunities
Serving Students with Disabilities
- IDEA, Part B Provision of FAPE: Guidance for the 2021-22 School Year (Revised: Nov. 2, 2021)
- Nonpublic Schools Dear Colleague Letter - Accelerated Learning for Students Attending Nonpublic Schools (8/24/2021)
- LEA Dear Colleague Letter - Accelerated Learning for Students Attending Nonpublic Schools (8/24/2021)
- OSSE DOT’s Bus Safety Kit: 2020-21 Guide to Reopening
- Overview of IDEA Part B Guidance Documents: Continuous Learning for Students with Disabilities in Washington, DC and Beyond
- COVID-19 SEATS Nonpublic Attendance Codes (Updated: 9/18/2020)
- Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) Guidance (Updated: 6/30/2020)
- LEA Toolkit: Serving Students with Disabilities during Periods of Remote or Blended Learning (Issued: 5/20/2020)
- OSSE DOT Operating Procedures (Takes effect: 3/9/2020)
Serving English Learners
- Resolving Provisional English Learner Identification Statuses in the 2020-21 School Year (Issued: 1/29/2021)
- Eleven Actionable Strategies for LEAs to Support English Learners’ Success During the 2020-21 School Year (Issued: 10/10/2020)
- State-Approved English Learner Identification Assessments (Issued: 7/30/2020)
- Provisional Pre-K-12 English Learner Identification Procedure During Distance Learning (Posted: 7/17/2020)
- Serving English Learners During Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions (Issued: 6/30/2030)
- Strategies to Support English Learners During Learning at Home Presentation (Issued: 4/29/2020)
- Strategies to Support English Learners During Learning at Home (Issued: 4/27/2020)
Serving Students Experiencing Homelessness
- Education for Homeless Children and Youths Guidance (Updated: 5/22/2020)
Meals for Students
- Policy Guidance for School Food Authorities (SFAs) to Serve Meals in the 2021-22 School Year (Updated: 8/10/21)
Grants
- 21st CCLC Frequently Asked Questions (Updated: 11/20/2020)
- Federal Grant Flexibilities (Issued: 4/27/2020)
- Grants Administration Guidance (Issued: 3/30/2020)
Enrollment Process
- Amending the Unaudited Enrollment Roster to Include Newly Enrolled Distance Learning Students (Issues: 11/18/2021)
- 2021-22 School Year Residency Requirements (Issued: 4/28/2021)
- 2020-21 School Year Enrollment Process Guidance: Part I (Updated: 10/2/2020)
- 2020-21 School Year Enrollment Process Guidance: Part IV (Updated: 6/2/2020)
- 2020-21 School Year Enrollment Process Guidance: Part III (Updated: 5/6/2020)
- 2020-21 School Year Enrollment Process Guidance: Part II (Updated: 4/21/2020)
- COVID-19 - Enrollment and Residency Guidance (Updated: 6/21/2021)
Assessments, Data and Accountability
- 2020-21 School Year Metric Calculation Confirmation (MCC) Policy (Updated:8/13/2021)
- 2020-21 Statewide Assessment & Accountability Waiver Request (Updated: 3/19/2021)
- Updates re: Statewide Summative Assessments for Spring 2021 (Update: 2/25/2021)
- DC State Plan Addendum and Waiver (Issued: 12/17/2020)
- 2019-20 School Year Metric Calculation Confirmation (MCC) Policy (Issued: 6/10/2020)
- 2019-20 School Year Data Validation Policy (Updated: 5/21/2020)
- Statewide Assessment & Accountability Waiver (Response: 3/27/2020)
- Statewide Assessment & Accountability Guidance (Updated: 3/20/2020)
- Data (Attendance) Guidance (Takes effect: 3/16/2020)
Attendance
- School Operational Posture Guidance (Issued: 12/29/2021)
- LEA Request for Waiver to Modify School Year Calendar/Instructional Days Due to Extraordinary Operational Conditions: Securing Safe Return to In-Person Learning (Issued: 12/20/2021)
- 2021-22 School Year Attendance Guidance (Updated: 9/3/2021)
- Instructional Day/ School Calendar Guidance (Issued: 6/7/2021)
- Instructional Day Waiver Form (Issued: 6/7/2021)
Resources for Child Care Providers
Subsidy and Funding Guidance
- Subsidized Child Care Eligibility and Recertification (Updated: 9/7/2021)
- Public Emergency Subsidy Rate (Published: 2/18/2022)
- Frequently Asked Questions Supporting Subsidized Child Care Provider Attendance and Payment Guidance (Updated: 2/7/2022)
- Child Care Subsidy Guidance (Updated: 2/7/2022)
Strong Start
- Strong Start DC Early Intervention Program (DC EIP) Part C Guidance for In-Person Visits (Updated: 6/10/2021)
- Strong Start In-Person Services During COVID-19, Guidelines for Families (Effective 6/14/2021)
- Strong Start Virtual Visit Guidance for Families and Caregivers (Takes effect: 4/1/2020)
- Strong Start Virtual Visit Guidance for Early Interventionists (Takes effect: 4/1/2020)
- Strong Start Early Intervention Guidance for Vendor Agencies (Takes effect: 4/1/2020)
Capital Quality
- Capital Quality Observation Memo (Issued: March 2022)
Resources for Higher Education
Adult and Family Education
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, Adult Education, and Family Literacy Act Frequently Asked Questions (Issued: 5/4/2020)
Resources for Students and Families
K-12 Resources for Families
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Steps to Promote Healthy Habits Outside of School (Issued: 12/20/2021)
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COVID-19 Medical Consent & Certification for Distance Learning School Year 2021-22:
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Student Condition, Distance Learning Required (Updated: 11/9/2021)
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Student Condition, Distance Learning Recommended (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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Household Member Condition, Distance Learning Recommended (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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Students Possibly Subject to Educational Neglect (Issued: 11/9/2021)
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COVID-19 Medical Consent & Certification for Distance Learning: Frequently Asked Questions for Families (Updated: 11/9/2021)
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Instructional Time: Graduation Requirements for Families Guidance (Issued: 4/7/2020)
Child Care Resources for Families
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Strong Start In-Person Services During COVID-19, Guidelines for Families (Effective 6/14/2021)
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Strong Start Virtual Visit Guidance for Families and Caregivers (Takes effect: 4/1/2020)
Archived Guidance and Resources