Dear DC Community,

After more than two years of uncertainty and upheaval caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is more apparent than ever how critical a high-quality public education system is when it comes to moving the District from recovery to restoration.

And while the environment continues to evolve and we continue to face unprecedented challenges, what doesn’t change is our commitment, along with the commitment from DC educators, staff and leaders, to provide DC students and families with the education and supports needed to succeed in school and in life.

As you’ll see from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE’s) 2021 Annual Report, the adversities of 2021 also served as catalysts for innovation, meaningful collaborations and a renewed sense of urgency in ensuring equity for our students, particularly those furthest from opportunity.

Throughout the year, students, families, educators, leaders, advocates and the community at large showed tremendous resilience and flexibility, and OSSE staff, guided by our mission and strategic plan, met them in stride. From investing and distributing a total of $600 million in federal emergency relief funding and laying the framework for a return to in-person learning in August 2021, to making groundbreaking investments in the DC early childhood sector, OSSE staff have and will continue to play an instrumental role in the District’s educational recovery efforts.

Last year brought with it great losses and many difficulties, but it also harbored moments of joy and hope and you’ll see both reflected in the pages ahead.

I am proud of how OSSE staff have persevered. I am grateful for the partnership and trust we continue to share with DC’s students, families, educators, school leaders and advocates. This work is most meaningful – and only possible – when we do it together.
 

Sincerely,

Christina Grant, Ed.D.
State Superintendent of Education