FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 27, 2014

OSSE Contact: Ayan Islam (202) 316-1841; [email protected]

(WASHINGTON, DC) – According to the final audited student enrollment data released today by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), student enrollment in the District of Columbia’s public schools increased 3.3 percent for the 2013-2014 School Year (SY). The final results affirm a continued upward trajectory in public-school enrollment for a fifth consecutive year. The complete audit represent an increase in both DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Charter Schools (PCS), with an overall increase from 80,231 last year to 82,958 students enrolled statewide this year.

“The student enrollment audit results are continued proof that the public school system in the District of Columbia is a great place for young families,” said Mayor Vincent C. Gray. “I’m proud of the progress made in our traditional public and public charter schools as the audit serves as a reflection of parent’s confidence in our schools and our public education system.”

“The complete audit re-affirms that families continue to choose enrolling their children in the District’s public school system,” added State Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “As families keep choosing our public schools, we must stay the course in our effort to provide the best public education for our residents.”

This year, DCPS’ enrollment increased by 2 percent, from 45,557 to 46,393 (836 students), and PCS’ enrollment increased by 5 percent, from 34,674 to 36,565 (1891 students). Recent enrollment growth rates in the District are listed below:

• 2 percent increase in 2009-10;

• 4 percent increase in 2010-11;
• 2 percent increase in 2011-12;

• 5 percent increase in 2012-13; and a
• 3 percent increase in 2013-2014.

As the State Education Agency (SEA), OSSE is responsible for conducting an annual audit of the student enrollment data submitted by the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in the District. DCPS is the largest LEA in the District, and each charter school is also considered an LEA. Over the last two years, OSSE has refined the enrollment audit process to ensure accuracy and better support our schools in this process. The enrollment audit process was refined through a new mitigation and resolution procedures for data discrepancies; a new tool that allows LEAs access to each school’s daily enrollment status; interactive trainings to LEAs to support accurate submission of student census data; and engaged stakeholders to improve the audit structure and procedures.

For the current school year, OSSE contracted with F.S. Taylor & Associates (FSTA) to conduct the general education enrollment audit for the District of Columbia. FSTA is a full-service accounting firm providing professional accounting, auditing, and advisory services in the District of Columbia since 1980.