Contact: Nicole Shaffer, (202) 368-3128

The following standards represent an adaptation of national standards for preparing teachers and administrators.  These standards are pertinent to post-baccalaureate, preparation programs, and once finalized will serve as the criteria for the approval of new educator preparation programs that wish to operate in the District of Columbia. The criteria serve as a broad overview of pedagogical, governance and content/program requirements. Further details and rubrics on how to meet the proposed standards, along with the requirements for admitting candidates to educator preparation programs, will be outlined in the application for providers.    

Per the proposed teacher licensure regulations preparation programs may be developed by institutions of higher education, local education agencies, and nonprofit organizations based in the District of Columbia. Institutions of higher education that are currently approved through the state/National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) process will continue to maintain their status as NCATE accredited programs, but may also opt to create licensure programs under the state-only approval criteria proposed below.  Likewise, local education agencies and non-profit organizations may opt to apply for approval through the state/NCATE process. 

To receive public comment, the OSSE will hold a meeting on Monday, November 24, 2008, from 5:30-7:30 pm at 441 Fourth Street, NW in the Old Council Chambers. OSSE will also accept the public’s written feedback through December 16, 2008. Written comments may be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

Office of the State Superintendent of Education
51 N Street, NE, Third Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Attn: Orman Feres, Accreditation Coordinator

Any questions regarding this process may be directed to Erika Lomax, the OSSE’s Director of Educator Quality, at [email protected].

View the standards:

• Early Childhood Education
• Education Leadership
• Elementary
• English as a Second Language
• English Language Arts
• Foreign Language
• Health and Physical Education
• Elementary Math
• Middle School Math
• Secondary Math
• Reading
• Science
• Social Studies
• Special Education
• Art Education
• Computer Science
• Unit Standards