LEA Newsletter
October 16, 2009
In This Issue:
I. NAEP Scores Rise
II. DCPS and DC Public Charter School Leadership Summit
III. OSSE EDFacts Data Collection and Data Collection Tool
IV. Safe and Drug Free Schools Web Courses for Prevention Staff
V. Enrollment Audit Reminder
VI. Learning Standards Materials
VII. Educator Licensure Office Establishes Hours for the Public
VIII. 2010 DC Census Report
IX. H1N1 Flu Vaccination
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NAEP Scores Rise
On October 15th, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, Chancellor of DCPS Michelle Rhee, State Superintendent of Education Kerri Briggs, Executive Director Susan Schaeffler of KIPP DC and Head of School Errick Greene of The Arts & Technology Academy Public Charter School held a press conference at M.C. Terrell Elementary to announce that District schools achieved remarkable progress on the 2009 Mathematics National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). While scores nationwide stagnated, District 4th and 8th grade students achieved significant increases, affirming the District’s ongoing education reform efforts.
Rising NAEP scores indicate the positive effects of District-wide school reforms initiated in 2007. The District was the only jurisdiction where 4th grade scores rose from 2007 to 2009 across all student demographic groups. DC is one of five states where both 4th and 8th grade math achievement increased from 2007 to 2009. In 4th grade math, DC led the nation with a 5 point gain from 2007 to 2009. DC’s 8th grade scores improved 6 points, while the national average rose 2 points.
NAEP results mirror mathematics gains on the 2008-2009 DC CAS test, which indicated a 6 point gain at the elementary and secondary levels. In addition, more students performed at or above "basic" levels than at any time since the NAEP was first administered in the District in 1992.
DCPS and DC Public Charter School Leadership Summit
On Thursday, October 15, the DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) and OSSE hosted the first DCPS and DC Public Charter School Leadership Summit. This purpose of this event was to bring together high school principals from across the District to network and discuss best practices for college prep and counseling. After a warm welcome from DC-CAP Board Chair and Washington Post Chairman Donald Graham, guests heard from DC CAP President and CEO, Argelia Rodriguez who spoke about best practices in college counseling. Following Ms. Rodriguez, Dr. Kerri Briggs discussed her vision for the future of education in the District and then participants had a chance to discuss and ask questions. We want to thank all the participants for contributing to the productive evening. We want to especially thank the DC College Access Program for organizing the event. We look forward to hosting future events with DC-CAP so that school leaders and other stakeholders can share ideas about supporting DC students who wish to attend college.
OSSE EDFacts Data Collection and Data Collection Tool
OSSE is currently collecting data from LEAs for federal EDFacts reporting. The due date for data submission is fast approaching. We greatly appreciate the LEAs that have already submitted their data or are in the process of collecting and preparing data for submission.
To provide support for LEAs still in the process of collecting data, additional webinars have been scheduled to discuss data requirements and introduce the OSSE EDFacts data collection tool. It is mandatory that personnel responsible for data entry participate in a webinar. After webinar participation, you will receive an invitation to access the data collection tool.
We also have scheduled a conference call to provide additional support for individuals who have questions about the requested data or the collection tool used.
Webinars
Monday, October 19, 2009
12:30 - 1:30 pm EDT
Reserve your Webinar seat
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
9:30 - 10:30 am EDT
Reserve your Webinar seat
Conference call
Wednesday, October 21
3 pm EDT
Dial (646) 558-2101
Access Code: (814) 353-584
If you have any questions about the EDFacts data collection tool, or the webinars or conference call, please contact Nancy Sharkey, [email protected].
Safe and Drug Free Schools Web Courses for Prevention Staff
The US Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (OSDFS) is offering a series of online professional development opportunities to prevention staff. These presentations, originally presented as live trainings, continue to be highly relevant. The first offering addresses school connectedness and meaningful participation. Access this course, or get further information on these courses.
Enrollment Audit
The audit of fall 2009 student enrollment and file review began on October 15, 2009. This segment of the audit process is expected to continue through November 6, 2009. All schools should have received auditor visitor dates from Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio & Associates, P.C. If you have not received your school’s individual schedule, please contact Woodrow Thompson at TCBA at (202) 327-5177 or [email protected].
Learning Standards Materials
Assessment and Accountability
OSSE has booklets, parent guides, and posters of the current state-adopted learning standards and is eager to make them available to schools and LEAs. The booklets are available for English language arts, math, PE, health, arts and world languages. Parent guides are available in Spanish for PE and health for all grade levels and posters are available for English language arts and math.
Please contact Tamara Reavis or Michael Clarke, or call (202) 654-6100.
Educator Licensure Office Establishes Hours for the Public
Elementary and Secondary Education; Educator Licensure
The Educator Licensure Office is the state agency responsible for issuing licenses to educators seeking to practice in the public local educational agencies (LEAs) that provide educational services to pre-K through 12th grade students residing in the District of Columbia. The Office also provides licensure services to program enrollees and completers from DC’s in-state teacher preparation programs/Schools of Education as well as other interested applicants.
The Educator Licensure Office is open to the public during the following hours:
| Monday | 1 – 5 pm |
| Tuesday | 10 am – 2 pm |
| Wednesday | 1 pm – 5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am – 2 pm |
| Friday | Closed, except by appointment |
Appointments may be made by calling the Educator Licensure Office at (202) 741-5851. The Educator Licensure Office is closed on Federal and DC holidays.
2010 DC Census Report
It is important for every District resident to participate in the 2010 Census. Taken every 10 years, the Census counts everyone residing in the District of Columbia and throughout the nation. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens. The Census affects the allocation of billions of dollars in government funding as well as political representation. It is in our hands to ensure the District has a complete an accurate 2010 Census.
The 2010 Census is easy, safe, and important. The Census questionnaire asks only a few questions and only takes a few minutes to complete. The Census Bureau does not release or share information that identifies individual respondents. The Census does not ask for one’s legal status or criminal history. The 2010 Census is safe and confidential.
Why is it important for all District residents to participate in the 2010 Census?
- Every year, more than $300 billion in federal funds are awarded to states and communities based on Census data. That is more than $3 trillion over a 10 year period. A complete and accurate count of all residents ensures the District will receive the funding and services they are entitled.
- Census information helps determine the locations for schools, roads, hospitals, child-care and senior centers and more.
- Businesses use Census data to locate supermarkets, shopping centers, new housing and other facilities.
Please use the following resources:
UPCOMING EVENTS
H1N1 Flu Vaccination
Wellness and Nutrition Services
Beginning next week, the Department of Health (DOH) will be hosting mass vaccination clinics at a school in each Ward for DC District children to receive H1N1 flu vaccine. As you may be aware persons from 6 months through 24 years are one of the five target groups to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine when it is first available. Although we do not know the exact locations at this time, clinics will be open in some Wards from 4 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, October 20, Thursday, October 22, Tuesday, October 27 and Thursday, October 29 and from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31.
Also, please note: In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, schools should not close for suspected or confirmed cases of flu unless there is a large number of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function. Please communicate with the DOH before you close your school. The DOH contacts are Robin Diggs, (202) 442-5859 from 8:15 am-4:45 pm and Chevelle Glymph (202-821-9671) from 4:46 pm-8:14 am.