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| District Highlights | Knock It Out of the PARCC: Next Generation Assessments Tips and Resources | Important Dates and Deadlines | Announcements |
| Professional Development | Funding Opportunities | Events |
District Highlights
- Mayor Bowser to Celebrate College-Bound High School Seniors with Reach Higher: D.C. College Signing Day
- SOAR Act Requests for Applications Available May 1
- Register for the 2nd Annual DC Secondary Transition Institute
Knock It Out of the PARCC: Next Generation Assessments Tips and Resources
- Resources for Schools
- Resources for Parents/Community
>>>Learn More
Important Dates and Deadlines
Dates
- 2015 DC Assessment Timeline
- 4/30: April 2015 Next Generation Assessment (NGA) Meeting
- 5/1: It Takes a City: DC Does it Best!
- 5/3: School Garden Bike Tour
- 5/6: DCSAA Scholar-Athlete Academic Scholarship Program
- 5/7: Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
- 5/18: NGSS Assessment Begins
- 5/20: Strawberries & Salad Greens Day
- 6/5: DeSean Jackson F.A.S.T Elite Skills Football Camp
Deadlines
- 5/1: AFHK School Grants for Healthy Kids Application Deadline
- 5/4: ESY 2015 Student Transportation Certification Deadline
- 5/11: Public Comment Ends for FFY 2015 Draft State Grant Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- 5/20: DC Free Summer Meals Sponsor Application Deadline
- 6/30: DCTAG Application Deadline
Announcements
New
OSSE Celebrates School Bus Drivers and Attendants
Please join OSSE’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE DOT) in recognizing the School Bus Drivers and Attendants of the Month for April 2015:
OSSE DOT Drivers of the Month
Roger Fowlkes | 5th Street Terminal
Karen Wimbush | Adams Place Terminal
Annie Allen | New York Avenue Terminal
Yvonne Gayden | Southwest Terminal
OSSE DOT Attendants of the Month
Pearl Brandon | 5th Street Terminal
Clara Andre | Adams Place Terminal
Linda Miles | New York Avenue Terminal
Marie Anna David | Southwest Terminal
Each month, OSSE DOT recognizes one exemplary bus driver and attendant from each of its four bus terminals in DC (5th Street, Adams Place, New York Avenue and Southwest) as part of the division’s Recognition Program for Bus Drivers and Attendants of Special Education Students.
The drivers and attendants have been identified by DC parents, students, teachers and school staff as outstanding stewards of the community. Since the program’s launch in May 2014, OSSE DOT has received over 750 online and mail-in nominations for DC bus drivers and attendants. Nominations are accepted year-long and counted the first Tuesday of every month. Recognize your school bus driver today!
DC Science Assessment Accessibility Features and Accommodations Webinar
This webinar will provide an overview of accommodations and accessibility features available on the DC Science Assessment, which has a testing window of May 18 through June 19, 2015. The webinar will cover topics including: review of accommodations and accessibility features available on the DC Science Assessment; using the DC Science Assessment/SEDS crosswalk to select appropriate accommodations and accessibility features for students; and editing students' Personal Needs Profiles in Pearson Access Next for Science. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Register
Reminder
Important Information about the NCSC ELA/Math Assessments
1) NCSC ELA/Math testing window
The testing window began on Monday, March 30, 2015 and will conclude on Friday, May 15, 2015.
2) Test Administrator (TA) training & NCSC test schedules
NCSC Test Administrators (TAs) should complete certification well in advance of your test schedule to allow for questions and clarifications. All NCSC school test schedules must be submitted to OSSE ([email protected]) 10 days before the start of NCSC test administration.
3) Do not close the test for students who have an observable method of communication
The NCSC assessment data will help us produce an improved assessment design only if every student who has an observable method of communication takes all items, whether they get items wrong, skip some items, or get items correct. Knowing which items a student gets wrong or skips over is as important as knowing which ones the student got right. Do not close the test if students are unable to answer, are skipping questions, or are getting items incorrect. This is essential information to ensure the highest quality, most appropriate tests in the future.
4) Student Response Check (SRC)
The purpose of the SRC (Test Administration Manual, pp. 30, 33) is to ensure that the Test Administrator can clearly identify which answer a student chooses. For students who have an observable method of communication and who clearly select their answers to the test questions by either responding verbally, non-verbally, or using assistive technology (AT), conducting the entire Student Response Check is not necessary; however, test administrators must still select the modes of communication the student will use during the test.
If a student displays observable responses during the Student Response Check, TAs will administer all the test items in ELA and Mathematics. If the student does not have an observable response, the TA will administer the first 4 items of either Mathematics or ELA. If the TA does not observe any response to the first 4 items, the TA may close the test session. If the TA observes a response (correct or incorrect) to at least one of the 4 items, the TA should administer the remainder of the ELA and Mathematics assessments.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 202- 316-9789.
Complete the Enrollment Audit Evaluation
The Office of Enrollment and Residency would like to extend the opportunity for a point of contact at your LEA to complete the Enrollment Audit evaluation. It is imperative that we only receive one complete survey from each LEA to capture the things that went well and areas of opportunity. Complete the survey now.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance now or during the enrollment process, please call (202) 727-7224. We appreciate all that you do and look forward to working with your team in the upcoming school year.
Training for New SLED Users
The Division of Data, Accountability, and Research will host a training session for new users of the Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System on Thursday, May 14, from 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at OSSE. To register for this training session, please email [email protected].
Date: May 14, 2015
Time: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street NE, in the 3rd Floor Training Lab.
Join Microsoft and OSSE for Microsoft DigiGirlz Day
DigiGirlz Day is a one day technology camp for young ladies in middle school grades who want to experience first-hand what it would be like to have a career in an IT related field or as an entrepreneur. This camp is for young women who want to learn new skills and gain exposure to some of today’s most cutting-edge technologies:
- Develop code on “touch” technology like the Microsoft Surface tablet
- Build apps for cell phones and other devices
- Test your imagination for creating videos used in Xbox gaming
- Engage in career discussions with Microsoft Academy of College Hires (MACH)
Date/Time: Thursday, May 21, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft, 901 K Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001
For more information, please contact Ed Roebuck, Career and Technical Education State Coordinator via email or at (202)741-5522.
Professional Development
New
Smart College Choices Part 2 – Counselor Professional Development
Smart College Choices is a two-part counselor professional development series offered in partnership with Collegiate Directions, Inc. which aims to further improve the ability of counselors and college access professionals to guide students in best-fit college choices. In the second session, counselors will focus on developing college lists, sharing college lists with peer sand course instructors, and discussing ways to track student retention and completion. Counselors may attend the second session even if they did not attend the first one.
Date: May 5, 2015
Time: 1:00p.m. to 5:00p.m.
OSSE, 819 1st Street NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register on Eventbrite
For more information, contact Chloe Woodward-Magrane
Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index Tool: A Self-Assessment and Planning Guide Workshop (Free On-Demand Webinar)
The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide is an online free self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs.
This free on-demand webinar provides a school with a general overview of what SHI is, its purpose, and why it is used. Participants who complete this workshop will receive additional information on how to access resources and support for implementation.
Duration: Approximately 16 minutes
Register
For more information, contact The Health Education Team.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
This training is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addiction challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders. The training is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Participants will receive 8 Personal Learning Units.
Presenter: Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)
Date: May 28, July 27, August 10, September 9, October 7, November 18, December 9
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall or Room 806 (email will be sent)
Register
LEA Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Webinar
OSSE hosts a monthly webinar for all LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SE POCs) to ensure that schools are informed about relevant policies and procedures that support best practice in special education. The next broadcast will be Wednesday, May 20, 2015, from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. Various topics will be discussed, including:
- SEDS updates and alerts
- The release of new OSSE special education policies
- OSSE Support Tool updates
- Data quality, including enrollment, records transfers, compliance reports, etc.
- Training tips
- Resources and announcements
Presenter: OSSE Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Time: 10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.
Register
Reminder
Student-led IEPs: Tools You Can Use to Build Self-Determination Skills for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities
Self-determination is an important part of knowing and believing in yourself, knowing what you want your future to be like, and making plans to achieve this future. Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disabilities have the right to know and understand the supports that are needed to achieve successful outcomes across home, school, and the community. This hands-on training, presented by Teresa Cogar, will provide participants with an opportunity to explore three self-determination skill building tools: (a) The One Pager, (b) The Good Day Plan, and (c) Goal Setting and Attainment.
Participants will have the opportunity to personalize and differentiate each of the three tools using strategies that have been proven to be successful for students with disabilities who need additional instructional supports. These tools were developed by the Virginia Department of Education’s “I’m Determined Project,” a state directed project that focuses on providing direct instruction and models opportunities to practice self-determined behavior, beginning at the elementary level and continuing through the student’s educational career.
Presenter: Teresa Cogar, Training Associate for Virginia Commonwealth University – Autism Center for Excellence
Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
SPARK Day 2: SPARK's Physical Education Curriculum Training
OSSE in collaboration with SPARK, is hosting Day 2 of a training on their curricula, which is designed to formally train staff to teach students with fidelity the model that motivates students of various ages while providing authentic physical education opportunities that promote enjoyment and success. Each unit is based on a specific curricula selection (early childhood, grades K-2, grades 3-6, elementary school, and middle school). SPARK workshops are fun and “hands-on”, and teachers are motivated by SPARK’s dynamic and knowledgeable trainers. Day 2 of SPARK training is designed to address the professional needs of the participants and to provide each attendee with a practical knowledge of SPARK's unique content and instructional strategies. Teachers leave Day 2 of SPARK's training inspired and ready to "SPARK-up" their students and give them strategies needed in order to obtain a lifetime of good health. In order to attend this training a LEA must bring a copy of the SPARK curriculum to training.
Register
For more information, contact The Health Education Team.
Funding Opportunities
New
Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act Requests for Applications Now Available Online
OSSE is pleased to announce that the Requests for Applications (RFAs) for FFY2014 SOAR Act Funding will be available for review on May 1 at osse.dc.gov.
For more information, please contact Katherine Cox. .
Reminders
Funding Opportunity for Support of Students Experiencing Homelessness
OSSE will issue a Request for Applications (RFAs) for the FY 2016 McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Grant on Monday, May 18, 2015. Seventy-Three Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty-One Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($73,151.75) in grant funds will be sub-granted to successful District of Columbia Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to support the educational and related needs of homeless children and youth. LEAs interested in applying for McKinney-Vento funds must use the following link to access OSSE’s online Enterprise Grants Management System. Upon release, the RFA and application submission guidance will also be available on OSSE’s Transitory Services webpage. For more information, please contact Nicole Lee-Mwandha at 202-654-6123.
Request for Application Release Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
Grant Application Submission Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2015
Funding Opportunity for Agencies Providing Extended Learning Opportunities
OSSE will be soliciting grant proposals from eligible District of Columbia agencies to provide extended learning opportunities to DC youth. Eligible agencies include local educational agencies, community-based organizations, public or private entities, or a consortium of two (2) or more of such agencies, organizations, or entities that do not currently receive 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant funds in the District of Columbia. Priority is given to applications that are jointly submitted by a local educational agency and a community-based organization or other public or private entity. The total funding available for 21st CCLC awards is Three Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Dollars and Eighty-Eight cents ($3,776,589.88). The purpose of the 21st CCLC program is to establish or expand community learning centers that provide students with academic enrichment opportunities along with activities designed to complement the students’ regular academic program. Organizations interested in applying for 21st CCLC may use the following link to access OSSE’s on-line Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). For more information, please contact Myles Cliff at 202-442-3255.
Request for Application Release Date: Monday, May 18, 2015
Application Submission Deadline: Monday, July 20, 2015
Events
New
2nd Annual DC Secondary Transition Institute
Did you know that secondary transition planning for students with disabilities is a federal requirement? Did you know that compliance with this requirement is a priority improvement area for DC? The DC Secondary Transition Institute provides an opportunity for educators to receive resources and support that will assist schools in meeting IDEA secondary transition requirements and improving postsecondary outcomes for transition-aged youth (ages 14 to 22) with disabilities.
Participants in the DC Secondary Transition Institute will:
- Receive information on how to increase student involvement in the transition planning process;
- Learn how to foster interagency collaboration; and,
- Develop a school-based strategic plan for improving secondary transition compliance and program quality.
Participating LEAs/schools are encouraged to register as teams, rather than as individuals, by May 26, 2015. Please see the event Web page for more details or contact Naté Dearden.
Presenter: Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Specialized Education
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Time: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Location: 810 First St. NE, Washington DC 20002, 3rd Floor Grand Hall
Register
Reminders
School Garden Bike Tour
Come join us for a fun and informative tour of four amazing DC school gardens! Along the way you will have the chance to taste what’s growing, meet the people that are teaching students in the garden, and explore each space. Between each stop we will take an easy ride together. Snacks and lunch will be provided to the first 40 people to register. Registration is free but there is a suggested donation of $10 which will go directly to the school garden that received the most votes. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sam Ullery.
Register
Date Sunday, May 3, 2015
Time 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Tour Stops
JO Wilson Elementary School
Tyler Elementary School
Walker Jones
Eastern High School
Follow the Bike Tour on Twitter @OSSESGP
Registration Open! Federal Grants Management Conference
OSSE is pleased to announce the opening of registration for its annual Federal Grants Management Conference. The conference, sponsored by OSSE’s Office of Grants Management and Compliance (OGMC), will take place on Thursday, June 4, 2015, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Gallaudet University.
The conference will address issues related to:
- the federal grants management process;
- available funding opportunities and resources;
- basic grants management; and
- procurement.
These topics and more will be discussed during the conference.
Date: Thursday, June 4, 2015, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center at Gallaudet University - 800 Florida Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20002
For further information about the conference, please contact Angela Clemons.
