 2023-24 School Year School Health Profiles – Data Collection in Progress (reminder)
For the 2023-24 school year, schools are required to submit School Health Profiles (SHP) data anytime between Tuesday, Jan. 16 through Thursday, Feb. 15. All principals and school-level users who are listed in the Integrated Data System (IDS) All Staff application as “School Health Profile POCs” gained access to the SHP application on Jan. 16.
Getting Access: Users who had access last year will automatically have access again this year. They may need to reset their passwords, but that’s a simple process they can do themselves in the portal. If additional individuals at your school(s) need access to the application, the LEA Data Manager must submit those users to OSSE as “School Health Profile POCs - School-Level” through the IDS All Staff application. Once the LEA Data Manager has submitted the user updates, new users should expect to receive access after one business day. All new users must use the same email address added in IDS to create a new user profile to log-in to the SHP application.
Key Dates:
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Friday, Feb. 2 by 5 p.m.: OSSE Support Tool (OST) Deadline (only LEAs can submit OST tickets on behalf of schools)
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Thursday, Feb. 15 by 11:59 p.m.: SHP Data Submission Deadline for Schools
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Friday, Feb. 16 by 5 p.m.: SHP Data Certification Deadline for LEA Heads of School
The questionnaire, recording of the LEA webinar and other resources for the 2023-24 school year are available on the OSSE Healthy Schools Act website.
If you have any other questions, please contact Tasneem Islam at OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov.
HAHSTA’s School-Based STD Screening Program (reminder)
Comprehensive sex education and school-based sexual health services provide youth with the information they need to practice healthy sexual behavior and understand and access care to support their sexual and reproductive health.
DC Health’s HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration (HAHSTA) offers free, confidential school-based sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing (“brown bag screening”) to remove or lessen barriers to screening and treatment, such as cost of care, concerns about confidentiality and stigma surrounding sexual health services. Available to DC middle and high schools, the School-Based STD Screening Program complements the in-school sexual health instruction students receive with practical information about how to care for their sexual health.
In addition to the school-based STD screening and treatment, HAHSTA also provides the following school-based services for middle and high schools: Trusted Adult training for teachers and staff who want to improve their ability to communicate about sexual health with students; condoms for sexual health liaisons, school nurses, school-based health centers and other designated teachers and staff; technical assistance and resources for health and PE teachers implementing sexual health education; and surveillance data related to youth sexual health.
Please contact Stephen Reese at Stephen.Reese1@dc.gov with questions or to schedule programming at your school.
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LEA Financial Reporting Application Released – Submissions due March 15
The LEA Financial Reporting application is open for the annual collection of financial expenditure data. The DC School Report Card website will be updated to include the per-pupil financial expenditure data that you submit for each school and LEA for the 2022-23 school year. All LEAs are required to submit financial data to OSSE by Friday, March 15.
OSSE will hold a webinar to review Financial Reporting Tool updates with LEAs on Wednesday Jan. 31. Register here.
The following resources are available on the OSSE website to assist you with this annual reporting requirement:
In addition, OSSE will hold optional office hours for LEA staff that have questions or need assistance with the application. The office hours will be held on Webex at the following times:
LEA staff with the following roles in the IDS Tool currently have access to the LEA Financial Reporting Application.
- Head of School;
- LEA Data Manager;
- Chief Financial Officer; and
- LEA Finance/Grants Manager.
If you have difficulty logging in to the application or if you have a staff member who needs access to the application, please email Sade.Wade@dc.gov.
If you have any questions related to the LEA Financial Reporting Application, please contact Sade Creighton-Wade, OSSE Administrative Officer, at Sade.Wade@dc.gov or (202) 716-7227.
ARROW Retention Bonus (reminder)
OSSE has been awarded a grant by the US Department of Education (USED) to implement the Advancing Recruitment and Retention in Our Workforce (ARROW) program. ARROW is designed to recruit and retain quality, credentialed school-based behavioral health providers to work in public and public charter schools in the District.
In acknowledgement of the tremendous commitment that District school-based behavioral health staff have shown in supporting the students, families and staff in DC public and public charter schools, OSSE is offering a one-time retention bonus of $1,000 to eligible school-based behavioral health providers.
Those eligible for the retention bonus must meet the following criteria:
- Employed as a school-based behavioral health provider, defined as a school social worker, school psychologist, or counselor (school counselor or licensed counselor).
- Employed by 1) a DC Public Schools (DCPS) school serving pre-K 3 through grade 12; 2) a DC public charter school serving pre-K 3 through grade 12; 3) Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) School Behavioral Health Program; OR 4) a community-based organization (CBO) that participates in the DBH Comprehensive School-Based Behavioral Health System and is placed with a DC public or public charter school serving pre-K 3 through grade 12.
- Maintained full-time (on average at least 32 hours per week) employment as a school-based behavioral health provider since Oct. 31, 2022 with no more than a 30-calendar day lapse in employment during the school year (subject to verification).
If you meet these requirements, please complete the ARROW Retention Bonus Application during the application window of Tuesday, Jan. 16 – Thursday, Feb. 29.
If you would like more information, please visit the ARROW website or reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov if you have any questions.
Strengthening School Behavioral Health Survey 2024 (reminder)
DBH has partnered with Child Trends, a nonprofit research organization, to learn about school behavioral health (SBH) services and supports at all public and public charter schools in DC. Now through March 15, schools are being asked to administer brief, online surveys of students, families and school staff about their perceptions of school behavioral health services. Based on the survey data, each school will receive a report that can be used to help them complete their School Strengthening Work Plan and monitor the delivery of school behavioral health supports. Several school behavioral health coordinators have shared that these reports helped them:
- Identify student and school-wide behavioral health needs and areas for growth
- Plan behavioral health and wellness goals, initiatives and activities for the following school year
Additionally, schools that receive at least 10 responses on each of the surveys will be entered in a raffle for a $500 gift card to support the work of their behavioral health team. Last year’s school winner intends to use the $500 to support Mental Health Awareness Month this coming May! Consider using this worksheet to develop a plan for how your school with administer surveys: bit.ly/47gvbO6. When your school is ready to administer the surveys, you may do so by sharing the following links:
More information about the surveys can be found here: bitly.ws/yyQr. Contact Brandon Stratford at bstratford@childtrends.org if you have questions.
Input Requested on Emerging Health and Wellbeing Trends (reminder)
OSSE's Division of Health and Wellness requests input from physical education (PE) teachers, health education teachers and educators/staff who work with students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other (LGBTQ+) representing DC public and public charter schools. We want to hear from you about current and emerging trends in student health and wellbeing, as well as gaps and opportunities in professional development and resources that OSSE might make available to District LEAs and schools. Please join us to share your insights and to inform future programming in DC.
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Thursday, Feb. 15 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Physical education teachers
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Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Health education teachers
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Thursday, Feb. 22 from 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Educators and staff who work with LGBTQ+ students
Please email osse.hydt@dc.gov to register for your focus group of interest.
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Adolescent Literacy Training: Addressing Learning Gaps with Syllable Instruction
OSSE is pleased to announce the first of a series of trainings on adolescent literacy. This first offering is an opportunity for 4th–12th-grade teachers, literacy coaches, special educators, multilingual educators and administrators to undergo training on multisyllabic word instruction by The Literacy Architects. This course provides teachers with information about the six syllable types and multiple syllable division patterns, which can serve as a first step to helping readers read and spell multisyllabic words. Participants will learn how to implement instructional routines that can be used in whole or small group settings to help students tackle multisyllabic words and will receive access to diagnostic assessments and lesson plan templates to assist with classroom application.
This training includes:
- Approximately six hours of asynchronous coursework
- Time dedicated to applying learned skills in their classrooms (approximately 6 hours)
- Opportunity to attend two 90-minute synchronous sessions to explore and practice instructional routines in more detail (Session 1: covering Modules 1–3; Session 2: covering Modules 4–6) (3 hours total)
The total time commitment is approximately 12–15 hours.
Register Here. Participants will receive 12 PLUs for the asynchronous coursework and an addition 4 PLUs for the facilitated sessions. For questions, please email Vaani Gupta at Vaani.Gupta@dc.gov
Grade 8 Social Studies Teachers and Coaches: Join Project Digital Civic Inquiry!
OSSE invites grade 8 Social Studies teachers in DC to join the inaugural teacher cohort of Project Digital Civic Inquiry (PDCI). As a member of this prestigious cohort, you will gain access to an in-depth professional development program designed for educators teaching the new Grade 8 Action Civics course. PDCI will teach educators how to engage students in scaffolded civic inquiries using the revised standards and take action to address issues including access to affordable housing and climate change.
Through the PDCI curriculum, students learn to evaluate a range of digital sources and use credible sources to inform their developing opinions, discuss what they learn about the issue and potential policy solutions and plan actions to advocate for their preferred solutions. Participants will receive $1,800 for completing both the professional development and follow-up coaching sessions.
Participating in Project DCI requires you to:
- Attend a week-long in-person professional development session from July 8-12, 2024
- Videotape your classroom as you teach two sets of Digital Civic Inquiry lessons
- Participate in five virtual follow-up coaching sessions during the 2024-25 school year (evenings in September, October, January, February and April)
By participating in PDCI, you will:
- Learn effective strategies for evaluating online information and key practices for facilitating discussions on civic issues
- Gain confidence and expertise in teaching online evaluations and facilitating civic discussions
- Receive access to standards-aligned lesson plans and student-ready materials
- Have opportunities for continued leadership development
To apply, please complete the application linked here.
Professional development and coaching will be facilitated by faculty from the University of Maryland and the Close-Up Foundation with extensive expertise in teaching digital source evaluation and facilitating discussions.
For more information, please email Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Return of the DC STEM FAIR
OSSE, in collaboration with DC4STEM, is excited to announce the return of the DC Secondary STEM Fair and Elementary STEM Exhibition. The DC STEM Fair is the longest-running student competition in the District of Columbia. The fair will host an elementary exhibition for students in grades K-5 and a competitive fair for secondary students in grades 6-12. The elementary exhibition and secondary fair will be held on March 16, bringing together students from all eight wards to showcase their ideas, talents and innovation.
Who is eligible:
- The Elementary STEM Exhibition is open to students in grades K-5 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home school.
- The DC Secondary STEM Fair is open to students in grades 6-12 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.
Key Dates:
- Project registration begins: Monday, Jan. 22
- Project registration deadline for all participants: Sunday, Feb. 26, 11:59 p.m.
- DC Secondary STEM Fair and Elementary Exhibition: Saturday, March 16,
- 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information and/or to register please visit the website here.
Foundations of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Dive into the theory and practice of UDL and explore how it is used as a framework for inclusive practice that allows for more accessible and equitable learning environments. OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning is excited to offer three learning opportunities to learn the foundational knowledge of UDL. Participating educators will be able to engage in learning the why, the what and the how of UDL.
The first in-person professional development session will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Find out more about the opportunities here.
Foundations of Special Education Spring 2024 Cohort Program
By providing the foundational knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve ALL students, especially students with disabilities, these professional learning pathways will build the capacity of District of Columbia educators through meaningful and engaging coursework while leveraging the flexibility of technology.
Early Childhood Spring 2024 Cohort
Four asynchronous courses (self-paced modules) and optional Communities of Practice followed by opportunities to earn two micro-credentials. Completers will receive a $1,000 stipend from OSSE. This coursework opportunity is open to 50 pre-K and kindergarten educators, including both general and special education teachers, paraprofessionals and dedicated aides, serving in DC public and public charter schools and the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP).
Support Staff Spring 2024 Cohort – Four asynchronous courses (self-paced modules) and micro-credential workshops followed by opportunities to earn two micro-credentials. Completers will receive a $1,000 stipend from OSSE.
This opportunity is open to 50 pre-K through grade 12 paraprofessionals, dedicated aides, assistant teachers and behavioral technicians serving in DC public and public charter schools.
Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI) – Coursework completion (including micro-credentials) and Praxis exam support, leading to a special education endorsement added to an existing standard teaching credential. Completers will receive a $1,500 stipend from OSSE, a Praxis voucher code and endorsement application fee reimbursement. This opportunity is limited to pre-K through grade 12 educators serving in DC public and public charter schools who hold a current and active OSSE standard teaching credential in any subject area other than special education, and who are interested in adding a special education endorsement to their existing standard teacher credential.
We are currently accepting applications for the spring 2024 cohort via this link. If you are interested in participating in the spring 2024 cohort, please apply by Feb. 9. This form will collect participant registration information for the coursework and micro-credentials opportunity and information that OSSE will use to determine eligibility for the cohort program. Educators will be notified of the eligibility during the week of Feb. 12.
The coursework for these initiatives is hosted on OSSE’s learning management system. Details for each opportunity are outlined here on OSSE’s website. For questions about this opportunity, contact Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
Register for 2024 Winter Restorative Justice Trainings
RestorativeDC is offering professional development and planning opportunities to help DC educators with restorative practices during this school year. Sessions will be conducted in person and coaching sessions offered virtually. Please view this informational flyer to review all session descriptions and the restorative justice PD schedule. You can also check out the RestorativeDC online calendar of events to view and register for upcoming sessions. For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
Webinars for ESSER Annual Reporting
In the coming weeks, OSSE will host informational webinars on the updated Phase II and new Phase III requirements of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) reporting process. We encourage a representative from each LEA to attend.
Details and timelines about the ESSER FY23 reporting process can be found in the FY23 ESSER Annual Reporting message below. For questions or additional information about ESSER reporting, please contact the OSSE ESSER Team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
Mini-Professional Development Insitute for Adult Education Providers
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education, Adult and Family Education (OSSE AFE), in partnership with the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), is hosting a mini-professional development (PD) institute for adult education providers, training providers, workforce development providers, partner agencies and other stakeholders from Monday, Jan. 29 to Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024. There are two, 1-hour webinars scheduled on each day, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This mini-PD institute will provide a foundation of academic, digital literacy and industry-focused standards, combined with evidence-based strategies and tools, that educators, trainers and workforce providers can utilize to help District residents enhance their literacy, numeracy, digital and workforce skills to obtain, advance and/or transition to fulfilling careers in high-demand industries with family-sustaining wages. Please join us to learn more about the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS), the Seattle Digital Equity Framework, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards and O*NET Online.
Registration is not required. All sessions will be hosted online and recorded. Please refer to the OSSE website for details.
Attention DC EPP Completers - 1:1 Coaching Support for Teachers Now Available (reminder)
For all teachers who have completed a DC educator preparation program and are in their first five years of teaching in a DC public or public charter school, OSSE is offering an exciting opportunity for access to a personalized non-evaluative coaching partner from EdConnective. More than 250 DC leaders have participated in 1:1 coaching over the past three years, and OSSE is excited to expand this partnership to support teachers!
This unique benefit gives you personalized access to a coach focused on your specific needs in your classroom(s). Your personal coach will work with you to develop goals and support professional growth with specific, practical strategies that YOU want to work on.
Here’s what other teachers have said about EdConnective coaching:
“This coaching experience was very different from the beginning. This is true colleague collaboration and learning from one another.”
“I really struggled with classroom management, and my instructional coach helped me connect with my classroom in a short period of time. It was like night and day from one week to the next!”
Eligibility: If you meet these two criteria, you’re in:
- A teacher who has completed a DC-based educator preparation provider program (list of providers)
- Teaching in a DC public or public charter school for less than five years (0-5 years teaching experience)
Register here NOW to be matched with a coach this spring!
For questions, please contact Jhatia McKnight at: Jhatia.McKnight@dc.gov.
All In: Elevating Student Voice in Schools Conference (reminder)
There is a growing body of evidence that students do better personally, socially and academically when they are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. Students who believe they have a voice in school are seven times more likely to be academically motivated than those who do not believe they have a voice. Join the DC Special Education Cooperative on Friday, March 8 to explore how student voice can be centered in decision-making at the classroom, campus and LEA level to create systems where all students, especially those with disabilities thrive. Schools are encouraged to bring a team (including students)! Register now!
Design Sprint Learning Series (reminder)
CityTutor DC, an initiative of CityBridge Education and OSSE’s high-impact tutoring (HIT) strategic partner, will facilitate a free, four-session design sprint learning series in February to help school leaders design and implement HIT programs for their students.
If you are a school leader with a school team who wants to think creatively and flexibly about activating HIT as a strategy to solve instructional loss and accelerate learning in schools, we invite you to sign up HERE. If you have questions about HIT or the learning series, see more details below or contact Jess Sobin at Jessica.Sobin@dc.gov.
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities with OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (reminder)
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning is pleased to offer many upcoming professional learning opportunities for DC educators, including teachers, staff, school leaders and service providers serving students in grades pre-K through 12 in DC public and public charter schools. All DC educators are encouraged to subscribe to the monthly TAL PD Bulletin to receive additional announcements about professional learning opportunities and resources for educators. View the most recent bulletin here.
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FY24 ESSER III-ARP Application
American Rescue Plan Act Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III-ARP) applications for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) are now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). As a reminder, this is the final year of the ESSER III-ARP grant, and an approved application is required for your local education agency (LEA) to access the remainder of your ESSER III-ARP funding. The deadline to complete this grant application is May 1. Once your application is approved, you may begin to request reimbursement on FY24 expenses.
As a part of your ESSER III-ARP application, your LEA must submit an Evidence-Based Intervention Form. This form now requires you to describe the evidence-based interventions you will implement using FY24 ESSER III-ARP funds.
During this critical final year, it is essential that you closely track deadlines, requirements and your budget. If you need to adjust your budget before the grant ends, please be sure to submit any application amendments expeditiously. Amendments will not be accepted after Nov. 1, 2024. We encourage you to submit ESSER III-ARP reimbursement requests early, but please be aware that all reimbursement requests must be submitted by Dec. 1, 2024.
For questions or additional information, please contact the OSSE ESSER team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
FY24 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Continuation Applications Coming Soon (reminder)
If you were granted a competitive SOAR grant that continues into FY24, you must complete a continuation application in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) to access carryover funds from FY22 and/or FY23. Continuation applications are now available.
The following competitive SOAR grants are eligible for carryover of remaining grant funds into FY24:
- FY23 SOAR Facilities
- FY23 SOAR Third Party
- FY23 SOAR Teacher Pipeline
- FY22 SOAR Third Party
- FY22 SOAR Teacher Pipeline
Please review the continuation application guidance for detailed instructions on how to complete each section of this application. Continuation applications are due in EGMS by 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9.
For questions on SOAR Facilities, please reach out to Marie Hutchins at Marie.Hutchins@dc.gov. For questions on SOAR Third Party or Teacher Pipeline, please reach out to Jessica Mardo at Jessica.Mardo@dc.gov.
FY23 ESSER Reporting Phases (reminder)
Each year the US Department of Education (USED) requires all state education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) that receive ESSER funds to complete annual performance reporting (APR). For FY23 reporting, USED is requesting additional data elements relating to student participation in programming such as summer learning, afterschool programming, extended instructional time and high-dosage tutoring as well as student access to educational technology, early childhood education programs and community schools.
This year, a three-phase data collection process will take place starting in January 2024 to ensure LEAs have sufficient time to gather and submit these new data elements.
FY23 ESSER Reporting Phases
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Phase I – Jan. 15-26
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Phase II – Feb. 5-16
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Phase III – Feb. 19-March 8
LEAs can review the webinar guidance and instructional guide for Phase I here. Updated instructions for these phases are forthcoming and will be made available here.
The Phase I collection template remains unchanged from prior years and will be submitted in the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) portal. To prepare for this FY23 ESSER data collection, LEAs should ensure that the individuals responsible for ESSER reporting are designated as the “LEA Finance/Grants Manager” in the IDS All Staff Collection portal.
For questions or additional information, please contact the OSSE ESSER team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
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January 2024
February 2024
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