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The LEA Institute II: "It Takes a City To Knock It Out of the PARCC!" will focus on preparing educators for the Next Generation of Assessments. 

>>>Register Now

District Highlights

• District Awarded $900,000 for Early Learning Quality Improvement Network

• Gonzaga rolls past H.D. Woodson with 29-6 to win DCSAA Class AA football title

Important Dates and Deadlines to Remember

Dates

• 12/15:My School DC Application Period for School Year 2015-2016

• 12/17: LEA Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Support Webinar

• 12/17: The Nuts and Bolts of Secondary Transition

• 12/22: Annual Special Education Parent Survey Closes

• 12/30: Evidence Based Practices (EBP) Instructional Series /Text Adaptation (Adobe Connect)

• 1/6: NGSS 1.0 Webinar: Introducing the Next Generation Science Standards for LEAs and School Leaders

• 1/8: Introduction to Student Learning Objectives (SLOs): An Overview of the SLOs Process

• 1/17: Statewide Longitudinal Education Data (SLED) System Training

• 1/20: Healthy Schools Act (HSA) School Health Profile Informational Webinar

• 1/23: LEA Institute II: “It Take a City to Knock It Out of the PARCC!”

>>>View the OSSE calendar

Deadlines

• 12/15: Request For Applications for Continued Funding for the 2014 DC Career Academy Network (DC-CAN) 

• 1/31: DC School Garden Grant Request for Applications

• 2/17: Request For Applications for the 2015 CTE Certification Program

Announcements

New

Enrollment Audit Desktop Appeals Process

The Office of Enrollment and Residency appreciates the time and effort all LEAs have given to this year’s enrollment audit. To date, we have concluded all site head counts and resolution meetings and are moving forward to our desktop and in person appeals process.  All LEAs are provided an opportunity to appeal findings reported in the DC Annual Enrollment Audit conducted by FS Taylor & Associates (FSTA). An appeal to OSSE is limited to issues that have been previously presented to FSTA during the course of the enrollment audit. Please view the timeline below. 

For any questions or concerns, please email [email protected]. 

Funding Opportunities

New

School Technology Fund (STF) Application Submission Deadline Extended

The STF is focused on improving the use of technology at District of Columbia Public Schools and District of Columbia Public Charter Schools to support and improve students’ performance in online testing.
If you have any questions about the application, contact Matthew Brownlee or call (202) 320-4950.

Data, Accountability, Assessment and Research (DAAR)

New

NOTICE OF DATA COLLECTION: Faculty and Staff data, Highly Qualified Staus Claims

The data collection for Highly Qualified Status Claims is being conducted January 5–February 13, 2015.

Claims for Highly Qualified Status are processed for all teachers, paraprofessionals (assistant teachers), and Special Education Support Staff (service providers).

The due date for this collection is February 13, 2015.

Templates and instructions will be sent directly to HR managers or data managers listed as the “Faculty and Staff Point of Contact” in the OSSE contacts database.  If you should have any questions about the data collection, please email Doreen Christian or call (202) 737-8320.

If you need to update your Faculty and Staff Point of Contact in the OSSE contacts database, please email Tonia Lovelace.

Professional Development

New

Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) Curriculum Training and Workshops: Day 2

OSSE Wellness and Nutrition Services Health Education Team (HET) will be hosting Day 2 of the SPARK workshops and trainings. SPARK strives to improve the health of children, adolescents, and adults by disseminating evidence-based Physical Education, After School, Early Childhood, and Coordinated School Health programs to teachers and recreation leaders serving Pre-K through 12th grade students.

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2015 (Save the Date)

Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location: TBD

SPARK's physical education curricula is designed to motivate students of various ages while providing authentic participation opportunities that promote enjoyment and success. Each unit is based on curricula selection (early childhood, grades K–2, grades 3–6, elementary school, middle school, and/or high school) and is written in scope and sequence with suggested unit plans for grade level specific instruction.

SPARK workshops are fun and “hands-on,” teachers are motivated by SPARK’s dynamic and knowledgeable trainers.

If you did not attend SPARK Day 1 trainings and workshop, please purchase the SPARK curricula and attend the SPARK Day 2 trainings and workshops.

Integrating Nutrition Education into the School Curriculum

Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Time: 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Location: OSSE, 810 First St. NE, Washington, DC

Within this professional development opportunity, the Healthy Schools Act Initiative Team will communicate simple ways in which instructors can incorporate wellness and nutrition topics into existing lesson plans. The goal is to help LEAs meet nutrition standards throughout the school day, not just in health education class. The Healthy Schools Act Initiative team will provide additional school nutrition curriculum recommendations and resources needed in order to meet common core and next generation science standards.

LEA Special Education Point of Contact Monthly Support Webinar Series

During the school year, the OSSE hosts a monthly webinar support series for all LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SE POC). This webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.  LEA SE POCs should plan to attend and participate in these monthly webinars.  All webinars are recorded and archived.

Each month 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

Upcoming Dates:

• Wednesday, December 17, 2014 (Next Webinar Date)
• Wednesday, January 21, 2015
• Wednesday, February 18, 2015
• Wednesday, March 18, 2015
• Wednesday, April 22, 2015*
• Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Time(s): 10 a.m.–11 a.m.

Register here for any of the above dates
 

Support College-Bound Students Experiencing Homelessness in Applying and Paying for College

OSSE invites you to participate in the following webinars made available by the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE).  NCHE is a federally funded information and technical assistance center at SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG).  Please note that, in addition to NCHE's McKinney-Vento 101 and McKinney-Vento 102 webinars, NCHE's Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness webinar will also be offered. As a reminder, January kicks off "FAFSA season", so make sure you have the information you need to support your college-bound students experiencing homelessness in applying and paying for college.

NCHE will be offering the following webinars free of charge during the months of December and January:

• Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
  Tuesday, December 16, 2014 | 2 p.m.–3:15 p.m. ET
• McKinney-Vento 101: School Access and Stability under the McKinney-Vento Act
  Thursday, January 15, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET 
• McKinney-Vento 102: Support for School Success and Special Populations
  Thursday, January 22, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2 p.m. ET
• Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
  Tuesday, January 27, 2015 | 1 p.m.–2:15 p.m. ET

Please access the NCHE website for webinar descriptions or to register for any of the above webinar sessions. Also, please feel free to share information about the webinars with colleagues you believe may be interested.

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training

The Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program, developed by the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), is embraced worldwide as a highly effective behavior management system for organizations committed to providing quality care and services in a respectful, safe environment. The strategies taught in the Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training program provide participants with a proven framework for decision making and problem solving to prevent, de-escalate, and safely respond to disruptive or assaultive behavior. This event will not go over physical restraint techniques. Please wear comfortable clothing, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle.

OSSE will host a training once a month during the SY 2014-2015. The next training will occur:
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Upcoming Dates:

• Wednesday, February 25
• Tuesday, March 24
• Tuesday, April 28
• Friday, May 29

Time(s): 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Location: OSSE, 810 First Street, NE, 3rd Floor Grand Hall

Register here

OSSE Division of Early Learning: Fall FY 2015 Professional Development Course Catalog

Events

New

2015 Postsecondary and Career Education Conference

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) Postsecondary and Career Education Conference is an annual event that serves as a catalyst for the sharing of best practices, exploring of new trends, networking with one’s peers, and participating in professional development for the District of Columbia’s college and career education access providers.

“Connect to Success: Postsecondary Achievement for All,” is the theme for the 2015 conference, which will offer up to 15 dynamic workshops including group brainstorming sessions, panel discussions, and presentations that highlight current conversations in the postsecondary and career education landscape. The conference workshops will include:

Read session descriptions here

The 5th Annual Postsecondary and Career Education Conference is open to those working in education, nonprofits, community based organizations, and those engaged in workforce development across DC. Please join us for a day of meaningful discourse, networking and collaboration.

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2015

Time: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW Washington, DC 20001

Register to be added to the waiting list

For questions, email Michael Longaro or call (202) 251-7856

LEA Institute II: “It Takes a City to Knock it Out of the PARCC!”

OSSE is pleased to announce its second “It Takes a City” Institute to be held on Friday, January 23, 2015, at Gallaudet University’s Kellogg Center.  This LEA Institute will focus on preparing and gearing up educators for the Next Generation of Assessments (NGA), including (a) PARCC, (b) NCSC, (c) NGSS, and (d) health.
OSSE is inviting national and local expects to provide pertinent information and to answer your most pressing questions in the following areas:

• NGA Communication Strategies
• Assessment and ESEA Accountability
• Curriculum Alignment: Tools of the Trade
• Instructional Shifts and Best Practices
• Assessment Procedures and Technology Readiness
• Assessment Considerations for Special Populations

Participants will have the opportunity to present their questions to subject matter experts during panel presentations and in one-on-one sessions.  In addition, an OSSE NGA ambassador will be assigned to each local education agency to provide them with supports and information.  Register and follow the event on social media using #DCITAC. 

LEA Needs Assessment for Next Generation Assessments Readiness

In conjunction with the upcoming It Takes a City LEA Institute, OSSE has developed a needs assessment tool for the purpose of identifying challenges your LEA may have with preparing for Next Generation Assessments (NGA), and for identifying areas where OSSE can support LEAs in NGA readiness. NGA assessments include the PARCC assessment, statewide science assessments aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), statewide health assessments, and applicable statewide alternate assessments (NCSC, etc.). The results of this survey will be used by OSSE to provide relevant information and support to LEAs. OSSE appreciates your responses and thanks you in advance for your time. 

Access the LEA Needs Assessment for Next Generation Assessments (NGA) Readiness Survey here. 

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