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Office of the State Superintendent of Education
 

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Start of School: Student Transportation

Timely transportation services for students with disabilities is critical to a successful start to the school year. Beginning this school year, parents and guardians can submit their 2025-26 school year transportation preference for their transportation-eligible child through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Parent Portal. This direct parent submission of transportation preferences will replace the submission of transportation request forms (TRFs) by local education agencies (LEAs). DC’s LEAs will remain vital partners for reaching families and ensuring appropriate student program details and accommodations are provided.  

Point of Contact
Stephanie Davis, Chief Information Officer
Stephanie.Davis3@dc.gov
osse.parentportal@dc.gov

 

Top Things to Know
  • OSSE released the OSSE Parent Portal on June 9, 2025. The portal allows parents/primary guardians to submit the transportation preference for their eligible children as the initial step in securing transportation services. This is a new process for the 2025-26 school year. 
  • Parents/primary guardians of students with active individualized education programs (IEPs) that include transportation services are now required to select their child’s transportation preference. The transportation preferences are (1) Will not need transportation; (2) Parent Stipend Program (self-transport); or (3) OSSE-DOT Transportation. 
  • Parents are asked to submit their preferences by Friday, July 11. This will not preclude families from continuing to submit preferences beyond July 11, but it is a date by which we’re encouraging families to submit their preferences to allow for timely routing. 
  • For students using OSSE-DOT transportation, LEAs will need to continue to submit information including student program details and accommodations needed on the bus, in accordance with the student’s IEP. LEAs must also ensure their calendar details are accurate in the system. 
  • LEAs will also help by maintaining accurate parent/guardian contact information and amplifying communication with families to ensure that transportation preferences are submitted in a timely manner. 
Key Dates & Deadlines
  • June 9, 2025 – Parents/guardians of eligible students have been invited to submit transportation preferences for the 2025-26 school year through the new OSSE Parent Portal. 
  • Rolling from June 9, 2025 – LEAs will add the program details and student accommodations in the Integrated Data System (IDS) for parents who select OSSE-DOT transportation in the OSSE Parent Portal. 
  • From June 10-28 and July 14-26: OSSE is hosting in-person portal support for parents/guardians at OSSE headquarters (1050 First St. NE) 
    • These in-person sessions will take place Tuesday and Thursdays, 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
  • July 11 – Parents should complete their submission of transportation preferences for their transportation-eligible students 
Ask a Question

 

If you have a question regarding this Start of School priority, please fill out this form.