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Aug. 30, 2024
This month, we have welcomed thousands of students, educators and school leaders across DC back to their classrooms, ready to embark on a year filled with promise and opportunity. OSSE is committed to ensuring that every child in our city receives the support they need to succeed, both inside and outside the classroom.
Our Student Transportation Division, along with our dedicated bus drivers and attendants, played a crucial role in making the start of school a success. From safely transporting students with disabilities to brightening their mornings with a kind word, these professionals are an essential part of our students' journey to success. We have received heartening feedback from parents, like Latoya Loring, who shared her gratitude for the timely and courteous service her son received. This is a testament to our commitment to providing safe, reliable transportation for all students.
This year, we're thrilled to roll out several innovative academic initiatives designed to elevate student growth and development. These initiatives are not just new programs; they are a direct extension of the foundational work laid out in our 2023-25 strategic plan. Now, as students return to the classroom, the importance of our strategic plan becomes even more critical. It serves as our guiding framework to ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive academically.
As we continue our journey of academic recovery, we understand that collaboration is key. We value your insights and encourage you to share your feedback!
In service,
Antoinette
Antoinette S. Mitchell, Ph.D.
Interim State Superintendent of Education
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
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Ensuring early learners have access to quality early learning environments is necessary to build a strong foundation for their K-12 education. Strategic initiatives like preserving child care slots, increasing the supply and affordability of quality child care, and investing in the early learning workforce supports families in accessing high-quality education and care for a successful educational journey.
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Superintendent Mitchell joined District leaders and school staff on the first day of school at DCPS at the ribbon-cutting for the newly modernized Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center in the Old Miner building. The $15 million modernization reimagined the interior space of the historic building, while keeping the building’s character and external features in mind – including the preservation and restoration of historic bluestone stairwells on the north, south, and east of the building. The modernized facility will have capacity for 140 students with nine new classrooms.
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Superintendent Mitchell celebrated the first day of pre-K at DCPS at the newly modernized Garfield Elementary School in Ward 8, which recently underwent a $60.5 million renovation. The upgraded facility, focused on sustainability, includes Ward 8’s first DCPS “teaching kitchen” and showcases public art throughout its interior and exterior.
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OSSE continues to support to DC early childhood educators to earn credentials and degrees to meet the education requirements through programs like DC Leading Educators toward Advanced Degrees (DC LEAD) and by providing personalized assistance through the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Help Desk, which offers support in multiple languages, ensuring all educators can access the help they need.
 Pictured: Mayor Bowser, Deputy Mayor Kihn, Superintendent Mitchell, DCPS Chancellor Ferebee and education leaders and principals during Back to School events.
Ensuring high standards and robust support for educators is critical to student success as the school year begins. Strategic initiatives like strengthening school accountability, aligning instructional supports, and bolstering the educator pipeline ensure all students, including those with disabilities, receive high-quality education and set the stage for academic excellence across DC schools.
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During our Teacher Apprenticeship Signing Day on Aug. 14, OSSE welcomed the first cohort of 50 apprentices who will engage in on-the-job learning during the day while taking coursework in the evenings to earn bachelor’s degrees through the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). OSSE’s first cohort of teacher apprentices were selected through a competitive process that included 418 applicants. Apprentices are currently serving at 23 DC Public Schools (DCPS) and 27 public charter local education agencies.
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Over the past year, OSSE has provided extensive training for educators across the District, equipping them with research-based strategies to improve literacy instruction, and to raise knowledge, awareness and capacity to support students with reading difficulties. To date, more than 5,000 DC educators have successfully completed OSSE’s annually-required training in Dyslexia Awareness and Other Reading Difficulties on OSSE’s learning management system (LMS). We will continue offering support this school year as all LEAs work to adopt a science-based reading program for grades K-2.
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In August, OSSE engaged hundreds of DC educators during two convenings – OSSE’s annual Multilingual Learner Institute, “Advancing Literacy, Culture and Multilingualism, and OSSE’s inaugural Special Education Institute: Building Capacity for a Brighter Future. These events enabled DC educators to build capacity and community in advance of the 2024-25 school year and helped ensure that our educators and our schools are well-prepared to joyfully welcome and support all DC students this school year.
 Pictured: Members of the inaugural cohort of teacher apprentices
Allocating resources to ensure every student receives a high-quality education enables OSSE to address historical inequities in their experiences and outcomes. Strategic initiatives like prioritizing school improvement, extending learning opportunities for students with the highest needs, and holding schools accountable for serving students with disabilities ensure that all students have equitable access to quality education.
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DC Special Education Hub: The DC Special Education Hub is a vital resource for families, offering tools, information, and support to help them make informed decisions about their child’s education. An initiative of the DC Ombudsman for Public Education in partnership with OSSE, the Hub provides multilingual support and hosts events to empower families with knowledge about special education processes and rights.
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Special Education Performance Report (SEPR): Now in its second year, the SEPR provides a detailed evaluation of LEAs’ special education programs. This report helps pinpoint areas for improvement and highlights successes, ensuring that LEAs receive the necessary support to enhance their services for students with disabilities.
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Special Education Microcredential and Professional Development: OSSE offers robust professional development opportunities for educators through programs that build their capacity to effectively serve students with disabilities, ensuring high-quality instruction and support.
Making sure students have access to robust and sustainable pathways to fulfilling careers and lives is crucial for their long-term success. Strategic initiatives like maximizing the Advanced Technical Center, expanding dual enrollment opportunities, and reimagining high school graduation requirements provide students with the tools, experience, and credentials needed to thrive in high-demand careers and postsecondary education.
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OSSE’s Advanced Technical Center held student orientation for the new school year earlier this month. The ATC has welcomed more than 260 students from 9 DCPS and 12 public charter schools. Students are ready to dive into exciting CTE pathways that will open doors to high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers in DC.
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In August, OSSE’s Postsecondary and Career Education team hosted the third annual Start of School CTE Professional Development Conference. The conference drew more than 200 secondary and postsecondary educators, administrators, counselors, school and industry stakeholders. During the event, participants heard from guest speakers, practitioners, and thought leaders as they highlighted best practices in CTE data analysis, curriculum and instruction, program design, and student support services.
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As part of the Reimagining High School Graduation Requirements initiative, OSSE is hosting public engagement sessions to hear directly from community members regarding the DC-wide Graduate Profile and Graduation Requirements.
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Public Feedback Session for Education Community
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Public Feedback Session for General Public
 Pictured: Students and staff during Aug. 2024 Advanced Technical Center (ATC) Orientation
As students return to school, supporting their physical, mental, and social-emotional health is essential for creating safe and joyful learning environments. Strategic initiatives like aligning health and education systems, investing in mental health, and building inclusive school communities ensure that students and staff feel supported, fostering a positive school culture and reducing chronic absenteeism.
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To increase transparency around attendance, OSSE is publishing validated attendance data three times per year. Earlier this summer, OSSE released the latest Mid-Year Attendance Brief. For data from July 10 – March 1, 2024 (compared to the same timeframe last school year), findings show that chronic absenteeism decreased by 4.3 % and chronic truancy decreased by 5.2 %.
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The SUN Bucks summer EBT application closed on Aug. 25, with more than 55,000 eligible students' benefits processed.
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More than $5M in federal funds have been and are being used by District families for groceries during the summer and back to school period! Families who received a SUN Bucks card can still activate and utilize benefits.
It's essential to build a thriving team where staff feel welcome, connected and supported in their continuous growth. Strategic initiatives like improving recruitment, supporting career development, and prioritizing diversity and inclusion ensure that OSSE staff are well-equipped to fulfill the agency's mission and provide the best support to students and families.
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On Aug. 1, OSSE held its second internal pre-hiring fair and networking event in advance of DCHR’s HOT DAYS HOT JOBS 3.0 hiring fair on Aug. 16. Staff members had the opportunity to network with representatives from each division to learn more about the 29 unique positions available.
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To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, OSSE welcomed two DCPS colleagues, Michelle Rush, Manager, Elementary ELA and SS, and Rosanna DeMammos, Secondary ESL Content Specialist for a special presentation focused on some of the challenges that families, students and schools may face when adjusting to the DC community.
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OSSE completed a five-part “Summer of Wellness’ series with neighbors Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB). Throughout the summer, staff embraced wellness by participating in five dynamic movement sessions, from Tai Chi to Zumba, fostering physical activity, fun, and a strong sense of belonging at OSSE while celebrating the diversity of our experiences and community.
 Pictured: OSSE staff during Summer of Wellness series
As students head back to school, improving internal systems and processes ensures that OSSE staff are fully equipped to provide high-quality services to students, families, educators, and schools. Strategic initiatives like enhancing transportation for students with disabilities, modernizing data infrastructure, and improving grants and procurement management are vital to delivering efficient, reliable support that meets the needs of the school community.
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