On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024 from 10 to 11 a.m., OSSE and DC Health will hold a technical assistance call regarding updates to the School Year 2024-25 School Immunization Policy. The call will cover key dates for the upcoming school year, improvements to immunization data entry and retrieval, and vaccine opportunities. LEA and school leaders, as well as school staff involved in immunizations, should plan to attend. Register here.
The best place for DC families to access immunizations is with your family medical provider as part of their comprehensive well-child care. If a family does not have a health care provider or they have difficulty securing an appointment, they can select from DC Health’s list of pediatric vaccine providers in every ward. Visit the DC Health website for up to date information on vaccine requirements and opportunities.
An additional vaccine opportunity:
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Cedar Hill Urgent Care – GW Health at 2228 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020: Open daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. For appointments, call (202) 715-4444.
Physical Activity, Physical Education and Health Education Requirements (reminder)
OSSE's Division of Health and Wellness is providing an annual notification of the physical activity, physical education and health education requirements of all DC public and public charter schools. For the 2024-25 school year, LEA leaders, school principals and health and physical education coordinators, supervisors and educators should collaborate to ensure that each school meets the standards and requirements. For questions or further assistance, please contact OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
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Applications Open for United State Senate Youth Program
DC public and public charter high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in government, public service and history are encouraged to apply today for the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), a unique and annual educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service.
Typically, two student leaders from each state will spend a week in Washington, DC experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in a meeting with a Justice of the US Supreme Court. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by the Hearst Foundations.
In addition, each delegate is awarded a $10,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science.
Rising high school juniors and seniors may obtain a USSYP application through their high school principals, school counselors and social studies teachers or they may inquire directly to their state selection contacts through the (see selection contacts listing on home page). All student delegates to USSYP are selected by state-level education officials – the United States Senate and the Hearst Foundations do not provide individual states’ applications or choose the delegates and alternates.
To learn more and share with interested students, . The deadline to apply is Oct. 28, 2024.
Proposed Early Childhood Transition Policy – Public Comment Opportunity (reminder)
OSSE invites the public and LEAs to participate in public comment and public hearings regarding the proposed Early Childhood Transition Policy. The proposed policy establishes state-level processes and clarifies requirements to ensure the smooth and effective transition of children with disabilities from early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to school-based special education and related services under IDEA Part B. The proposed policy is available for review on the OSSE's Special Education Policy Notices, Hearings, and Comments page.
The proposed policy will be posted for a 30-day public comment period commencing Friday, Sept. 6 and closing Monday, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m. Individuals or entities wishing to comment on the proposed policy should submit their comments in writing via email to OSSE.publiccomment@dc.gov. All comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7. Two public hearings will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on Monday, Sept. 16 from 12-2 p.m. and on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 5-7 p.m. Individuals interested in attending or testifying at the public hearings should register here.
For questions, please contact Christie Weaver-Harris at Christie.Weaver-Harris@dc.gov.
Home and Hospital Instruction (HHI) Policy (Reminder)
All LEAs are required to post their HHI policies on their respective websites and include a designated point of contact for HHI-related inquiries.
For additional information about HHI requirements, please review the following resources:
If you have not yet posted your HHI policy or designated a point of contact to your LEA website, please post this required information as soon as possible. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please contact Cameron Martin at Cameron.Martin@dc.gov.
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Foundations of Second Language Acquisition for All Educators Serving English Learners
OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) is pleased to offer a professional learning pathway for District educators including school leaders and service providers serving English learners (ELs) grades pre-K through 12 in DC public and public charter schools. The Foundations of Second Language Acquisition for All Educators Serving English Learners course provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve ELs and build the capacity of educators through eight meaningful and engaging virtual sessions.
Session: Principles of Second Language Acquisition
Second language acquisition (SLA) is a complex and multifaceted process, and various theories and principles have been proposed to explain how individuals acquire a second language. In this session, participants will be able to identify the stages of second language acquisition and the factors impacting language development to optimally support English language learners in the District.
Participants will earn one professional learning unit (PLU) for full attendance and participation. Register here to attend on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 10-10:45 a.m. or here to attend on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 3-3:45 p.m. For questions, contact Lucia Cuomo at Lucia.Cuomo@dc.gov.
2024-25 State Title III Advisory Committee Recruitment
Are you an educator, LEA/school leader, parent, teacher educator, research or policy expert, or community organization member who understands the perspectives, strengths, and needs of ELs? OSSE is requesting applications for the 2024-25 State Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Title III Advisory Committee, which serves as an advisory body to support OSSE in carrying out its responsibilities under Title III of ESEA for the District of Columbia. By joining this committee, you will contribute to OSSE’s development of educational programming, administration, and accountability guidelines to support LEAs in ensuring that immigrant children and ELs attain English proficiency and meet state academic achievement standards.
Please share this announcement widely to help bring a range of perspectives to the table. To apply please fill out this application form by Friday, Sept. 20. Applicants will be notified by Friday, Sept. 27. For more information, please contact Lucia Cuomo, English Language Acquisition, at Lucia.Cuomo@dc.gov.
Social Studies Resource Spotlight
Have you explored OSSE’s curricular resources? OSSE has produced curricular resources to promote document-based historical inquiry and the development of historical thinking skills with every standard.
Consider the spotlighted resources below:
WH2.62: Evaluate the experience of soldiers, including Chinese workers, in World War I and the impact of World War I on the political, social and economic structures of different countries.
Driving Question: What can we learn from reports and images of combatants in First World War trench warfare?
Students evaluate the utility of different sources of information, including photographs, in understanding the conditions of trench warfare.
Highlighted Source: Senegalese soldiers in a trench, 1916, from the Bibliotheque Nationale collection, via jeanhuets.com/tirailleurs-senegalais-african-troops-in-wwi/
France’s army included large contingents from its colonies, in particular North and West African soldiers. They often suffered dramatically from the cold weather as well as the normal privations of war.
Register for the World History II LMS to access similar resources, including sample assessment prompts and standard specific professional development modules.
If you have specific questions or would like to schedule custom professional learning for your LEA, please contact Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Student Engagement Strategies for Social and Emotional Learning and Student Success
This two-part training series explores how active and cooperative drama strategies can support academic achievement for high school, middle school, and elementary school students. These scientific research-based strategies are proven with grades 1-12 and are revolutionizing how we teach and learn. The interactive and engaging approach empowers the students to engage, retain, and transfer information. The activities will help educators engage their students more effectively with tools they can use in their curricula or modules that make learning more fun and act as a strong vehicle for social and emotional learning and academic enrichment.
Participants will be offered three professional learning units (PLUs) for full participation in each session. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to attend both parts of the session. Both sessions will take place in person at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, Room 108, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Please register below.
Part 1: Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Part 2: Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Professional Development Opportunity
OSSE has partnered with LRP Publications to provide DC schools access to Special Ed ConnectionSM and DirectSTEP℠ eLearning courses which can be accessed at OSSE-DS.LRP.com. These courses focus on best practices and legal requirements for behavior management, autism, IDEA eligibility, individualized education programs (IEPs) and other special education topics. DirectSTEP℠ allows special education leaders to guide staff through relevant topics by recommending courses.
Last year, OSSE created a model scope and sequence that provides a roadmap through the courses made available through DirectSTEP℠, with an emphasis on supporting LEA special education leaders. Each course can be completed in about one hour.
Special Ed Connection℠ provides the legal, regulatory, and practical guidance that is necessary to ensure that students receive the services to which they are entitled in a manner that enhances their education and post-school quality of life. Special Ed Connection℠ also houses hundreds of ready-made resources, practical implementation strategies, and tips to help special education professionals carry out their responsibilities.
DirectSTEP℠ eCourses explain best practices and the legal requirements for behavior management, autism, IDEA eligibility, IEPs, and more. These eCourses also teach educators how to handle critical education issues to obtain positive outcomes while applying education laws to the day-to-day world of teaching and learning.
Register now for orientation and learn how Special Ed Connection℠ and DirectSTEP℠ will save you loads of time and effort when preparing for in-service training and professional development days. Click on the link below to access the Orientation Registration Form.
Available Training Sessions
- Wednesday, Sept. 18, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Wednesday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
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Friday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Click Here to Register Now!
If you are not available for one of the sessions listed above, please reach out to LaShonda Wilson Carter at LaShonda.Wilson@dc.gov.
Deadline Extended: Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce
OSSE Advancing the Recruitment and Retention of Our Workforce (ARROW) is announcing the launch of the 2024-25 school year cohort of the First Year Cadre for school-based behavioral health providers, i.e., school social workers, school psychologists, and counselors (school counselors and licensed counselors), who began working in a school-based setting during the 2023-24 school year or after! The First Year Cadre is an opportunity for providers in their first year working in a school-based setting to build foundational skills necessary to be successful in the school environment. The cohort will run from October 2024 to June 2025. Please see this one-pager for more information and the eligibility criteria. Applications opened Friday, Aug. 9 and close Friday, Sept. 20.
Participants who successfully complete the cadre will be eligible for a $1,000 stipend.
Questions? Reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
Canceled: September LEA Special Education Points of Contact Webinar (reminder)
The September LEA Special Education Points of Contact (LEA SPED POC) Webinar scheduled for Sept. 18 has been canceled. The next LEA SPED POC Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 10 a.m. OSSE will notify all LEA SPED POCs about the LEA SPED POC Webinar schedule for the 2024-25 school year through LEA Look Forward in the coming weeks.
If you have not already signed up for the 2024-25 webinar series, please register here.
If you have any questions about this webinar series, please contact LaShonda Wilson Carter at LaShonda.Wilson@dc.gov.
DC Health Education Standards Revision: Stakeholder Engagement Opportunities (reminder)
This fall, OSSE is revising the DC Health Education Standards following the release of new national health education standards. OSSE is seeking input from DC health and physical education teachers and interested organizations or community members to inform the revisions. DC health and physical education teachers, organizations or individuals who are interested in providing feedback, please register for the appropriate focus groups below. If you have any questions about the standards revision process or focus group opportunities, please contact OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov.
DC Health and Physical Education Teacher Focus Groups'
These will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams:
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Tuesday, Sept. 17, 3:30 - 5 p.m. Register here.
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Thursday, Sept. 26, 3:30 - 5 p.m. Register here.
DC Community-Based Organization Focus Groups
These will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams:
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Thursday, Sept. 19, 1–2:30 p.m. Register here.
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Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1:30–3 p.m. Register here.
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Allocations Now Available: FY25 SOAR Act Formula Grants (reminder)
Allocations for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Formula grants, which includes SOAR Academic Quality and SOAR Early Childhood, are now available on OSSE’s website.
The FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated application will be released in OSSE’s Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) on Friday, Sept. 20, and the deadline for LEAs to submit the application will be 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. The award period for these grants will be July 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025.
For questions or additional information about the FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated grant, contact your OSSE grant manager.
Alternative Program Designation – Application Now Available for 2025-26 School Year (reminder)
LEAs interested in applying for alternative program designation for the 2025-26 school year are now eligible to do so. The application can be found on the OSSE website and will close on Thursday, Oct. 3.
Please note that alternative program designations are valid for three years from the date the designation was issued by OSSE. All LEAs with alternative programs that were first designated by OSSE in 2021 will now need to reapply for alternative program designation.
On June 14, 2019, OSSE released a Notice of Final Rulemaking proposing a new chapter titled “Alternative Program” to Subtitle A “Office of the State Superintendent of Education” of Title 5 “Education” in the DC Municipal Regulations. This chapter sets forth the eligibility criteria for a school or specialized program within a school to be designated as an alternative education program and establishes the application process.
The final rulemaking can be found in the DC Register and on the OSSE website.
For more information, please contact Gabriel Montague at Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov.
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September 2024
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