|
Monthly Snapshot - May 31, 2017
|
SBOE Approves New ESSA Task Force
 Moves to Include Historically Marginalized Voices
At our May Public Meeting, the SBOE approved the creation of a new ESSA Advisory Task Force! This new task force will help advise the State Board over the next year and will be chaired by our Ward 4 representative, Dr. Lanette Woodruff. The SBOE is committed to involving broad community input in the decision making related to the Every Student Succeeds Act, particularly voices that have been ignored and sidelined historically.
With this new task force, the State Board will conduct community roundtables and focus groups to gather input on the remaining ESSA accountability plan measures, pilot studies, and school report cards from essential District education stakeholders. This task force will consist of two parent representatives, two student representatives, two teacher representatives, two ward education group representatives, two District business representatives, two community education advocates, two national education experts, the District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor or designee, one District of Columbia Public Charter School Board designee, an OSSE designee, State Board President or designee, and two SBOE representatives. Read the full resolution HERE.
In the coming months, the SBOE will release to the public a plan of action that will provide a clear and transparent process of engagement on the elements we, as a city, want to see in our school report cards. The SBOE is committed to approving a report card that ensures that parents no longer have to search for essential information across multiple websites and that they provide full stories of each school. The SBOE will also work with the Mayor and Council to ensure that these report cards are accessible and translated into all of the languages required by the Language Access Act.
|
|
|
|
|
SBOE Community Engagement Updates
 SBOE Welcomes Chancellor Wilson
The SBOE welcomed new DC Public Schools Chancellor Wilson at a special working session on May 24. Members of the Board and the Chancellor held an active discussion about education goals for public schools in the District.
Chancellor Wilson provided an impressive vision for the future of DC Public Schools. His message focused on goals of equity and excellence for all children, based on the feedback gained from the recent Chancellor engagement sessions around the city. Chancellor Wilson applauded the student representatives present at the working session, Ms. Jamiah Hall and Mr. Alex Dorosin, for their civic participation. Chancellor Wilson indicated that he hopes to unveil a new strategic plan for DC Public Schools this fall.
|
DC Science Standards
This month, State Board members continued their discussion with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) about the DC Science assessment. Each spring, high school biology students and all students in grades 5 and 8 take the science assessment. OSSE intends to release the results of the 2016 exam this summer.
OSSE briefed Board members on the DC Science Assessment and the standard setting process at both the May Working Session and May Public Meeting. OSSE will bring to the SBOE four recommended cut scores for the five levels of performance on the assessment. SBOE will review and discuss the cut scores and vote on their approval in June.
The State Board welcomes feedback from District science teachers and education stakeholders regarding this assessment. Please share your comments by emailing us at sboe@dc.gov.
 Applications for Student Representatives
State Board Policy Analyst Maria Salciccioli and Engagement staffer Paul Negron hit the road last Wednesday on our #SBOESelfieTour to recruit student representatives for next year! We’ve received a tremendous amount of interest from a wide range of students across the District. Board members and staff will be reviewing all of the applications and will reach out to applicants soon about the next steps in the process. Thank you all for your interest.
|
 Have Public Education Questions?
We can help! The Office of the Student Advocate supports families in navigating the DC public school system, both DC Public Schools and public charter schools. We operate a Request for Assistance (RFA) line LIVE Monday – Friday between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm as a “311” system for public education. Call us at (202) 741-4692 for resources, referrals, and one-on-one coaching on a variety of public education issues. Also visit us online at https://studentadvocate.dc.gov for additional resources and toolkits, such as our Online Education & Community Resource Guide!
|
 Does Your Child Struggle in School?
The Office of the Ombudsman helps parents and students who have questions, concerns, and complaints about the DC public schools and DC public charter schools. We are independent and impartial in our approach to solving problems. We listen to all parties involved and make recommendations based on the student’s best interests. Our Office helps families solve problems their children are facing in areas that include special education, discipline, school environment, academic progress, and enrollment.
We are problem solvers! We can coach, mediate, or participate in a school meeting with you. If you need help, call us at (202) 741-0886 or email us at ombudsman@dc.gov.
|
|
