Reimagining systems means ensuring OSSE has effective, efficient and sustainable internal systems and processes across the agency, from student transportation to data collection systems.
Streamlining Transportation Processes
This year, we launched a Transportation Request Form (TRF) status website for LEAs to monitor their TRF submissions for extended school year during the summer and for the 2023-24 school year. We also kicked off pilot testing in October for a new Parent School Bus Hub Mobile App. Our new online user-friendly bus app will allow parents to track the location of their student’s bus in real-time at any point during the scheduled transport.
Going Electric
OSSE Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) has ordered 25 electric school buses that will serve students in the 2024-25 school year. This is a vital first step to reducing our carbon footprint and improving air quality in and around our schools and communities. The new electric buses will support our efforts to operate a cleaner and greener bus fleet in our community. In October 2022, OSSE was awarded $7.6 million through the Clean School Bus Rebate Program, offered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to replace existing school buses with zero- and low-emission models.
Strengthening and Modernizing Data Systems
OSSE was awarded a $4 million Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) Grant by the US Department of Education, which will support significant modernization to our pre-K-12 and post-secondary data systems. With this modernization, OSSE will be able to follow DC students’ journeys to and through post-secondary education and their interaction with the various grants and scholarships that have supported them along the way. Additionally, it will improve the interoperability of OSSE’s systems with those of our public university and community college, both served by the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).
Collecting School Course Catalog Data
For the first time in 2023, OSSE collected school course catalogs to link student, teacher and course data, which will help the District understand which students have access to rigorous coursework and effective educators. In 2023, more than 16,000 courses were submitted to OSSE by more than 90 LEAs and non-public schools. This more granular understanding of how students experience their education will allow OSSE to ask questions and inform solutions related to access, equity and transparency across the District to support schools, families and communities. In future years, the data collection will include student-level course enrollment information.
