 Upcoming Virtual Epinephrine Administration Training (reminder)
OSSE Allergy Management Team within the Division of Health and Wellness is holding a live virtual Epinephrine Administration Training on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Certification is valid for one calendar year. Share this training sign-up form with staff members at your school who need to get certified this school year. School staff may also choose to receive certification at their convenience via a recorded Online Certification Course. Contact OSSE.Epi@dc.gov to coordinate a live virtual training session if you want to have more than the required certified staff at your school.
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2023-24 Educator Workforce Report
OSSE has released its biennial Educator Workforce Report, providing a detailed analysis of the educator landscape across the District of Columbia. This comprehensive report offers valuable insights into educator demographics, hiring trends, pipelines, and mobility patterns, underscoring DC's commitment to providing actionable data to support the recruitment and retention of an effective and diverse educator workforce. This report is a testament to the collaborative effort and ongoing partnership between OSSE and DC LEAs to collect and report on important workforce metrics that can inform strategic investments in educator preparation, recruitment, and retention. The full 2023-24 Educator Workforce Report can be accessed on OSSE’s website.
Course Data Collection Updates
By Nov. 8, all LEAs must map their Student and Section Course Data Collection Data in the LEA Data Mapping Tool.
Unified Data Errors (UDEs) related to this data will begin to appear in the 2024-25 school year (SY2024-25) Unified Data Errors Qlik application in November, according to the following schedule:
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The first week of November, LEAs will see UDEs related to the Student and Section Course Data. OSSE has created this short recorded training to explain the Course Collection UDEs.
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Late November, UDEs for students who attend nonpublic schools will appear. OSSE has created a 2024-25 School Year Nonpublic Course Data Crosswalk to assist LEAs in mapping the courses taken by their students at nonpublic schools. Any LEA that has students enrolled in a nonpublic school should have receive the crosswalk in their “Special Education from OSSE” Box folder on Oct. 24. LEAs will use the Nonpublic School Course Code as a proxy for the LEA Course Code in their Student Information System (SIS).
The Course Data Collection Team will be available to answer questions during the following office hours sessions:
LEAs can also schedule a one-on-one meeting for assistance using this link. For additional information or questions, please email Whitney Meagher at Whitney.Meagher@dc.gov.
Nominate a STEM Mentor (reminder)
STEM mentors work hard to inspire the next generation and expand participation in STEM fields. You can help celebrate these inspiring mentors by nominating them for a Presidential Award!
The National Science Foundation’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program is now accepting applications from individuals and organizations who have made a difference in your community.
Go to paesmem.nsf.gov to nominate a STEM mentor today. Multiple nominations are welcome if you know more than one mentor deserving of this award.
Social and Emotional Learning Tools and Resources Now Available (reminder)
OSSE is excited to introduce a variety of tools and resources to support schoolwide implementation of the DC K-Adult Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) standards! These tools include the newly released SEL Educator Toolkit, 3-Year Roadmap, Parent, Family, & Caregiver Guide, and translated SEL Wheel Poster and K-Adult SEL standards. Visit the SEL website today to access these essential tools and stay tuned for more tools and resources coming soon!
For questions or to request OSSE staff drop off of DC SEL Wheel Posters to your LEA, please email Marcus Hughes, School Climate Specialist, at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov
2024 Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) (reminder)
OSSE has publicly posted each LEA’s federal fiscal year 2022 (FFY22) Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) on the OSSE SEPR website.
OSSE has emailed LEA leaders and Special Education Points of Contact email templates to support SEPR communications with LEA parents and staff.
OSSE Seeks Nominations for the 2024-25 School Year for the US Presidential Scholars Program (reminder)
Established in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, the US Presidential Scholars Program (USPSP) recognizes and honors outstanding high school seniors for achieving educational excellence. As the official nominating body, OSSE would like your assistance in identifying these exceptional seniors.
Nominees must be US citizens or legal permanent residents, graduate from high school by August 2025, and preferably have the following:
- Strong involvement and service to the school or community;
- Strong leadership or character; and
- High academic achievement.
Nominate your outstanding 12th grade students for this prestigious award! Nomination materials and parent/guardian consent forms must be submitted via Box. Reach out to Greg Palmer to gain access to appropriate documentation needed for nominations. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
For more information, please contact Greg Palmer at Gregory.Palmer@dc.gov.
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Homeless Education Program: McKinney-Vento Monthly Webinar Sessions
OSSE’s Homeless Education Program has invited subject matter experts to present on a variety of topics that impact students and families experiencing homelessness. These 1-hour monthly webinars are available to LEA and school employees, homeless liaisons, and community partners. Presentations are scheduled each month from November 2024 through May 2025. Please note that the dates and times are subject to change.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024
Time: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Presenters: SMYAL & Sasha Bruce Youthworks
Register: forms.office.com/g/zjfKpbKCAY
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024
Time: 10-11 a.m.
Presenter: Educational Opportunity Center (College Board)
Register: forms.office.com/g/NEB9EagsbZ
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024
Time: 1-2 p.m.
Presenter: TBD
Register: forms.office.com/g/sRHDCNuMU0
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For any additional questions or technical assistance, please contact Tasheen Stallings at Tasheen.Stallings@dc.gov.
Foundations of Special Education Spring 2024 Cohort Program
OSSE now offers a professional learning cohort program for District of Columbia educators in the Foundations of Special Education. These cohort programs include asynchronous online coursework using a cohort model to earn professional learning units (PLUs) and micro-credentials. The coursework for these initiatives is hosted on OSSE’s learning management system (LMS) platform. Details for each opportunity are provided below.
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.
Fall 2024 School Cohort: Four asynchronous courses (self-paced modules) and optional Communities of Practice followed by opportunities to earn two micro-credentials.
Audience: This opportunity is open to all DC public and public charter schools and the Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP). Each eligible school will have up to 10 educators participating. Educators include general and special education teachers, staff, service providers, instructional coaches, and school leaders.
Spaces are limited to 50 participants. Teams of up to five participants are given preference and individual educators and LEA staff are welcome to apply.
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 Praxis voucher code and endorsement application fee reimbursement.
Eligibility: 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 fall 2024 cohort via this link. If you are interested in participating in the fall 2024 cohort, please apply by Nov. 15. Educators will be notified during the week of Nov. 18, 2024. Accepted educators will be invited to the course. The official start will be Nov. 18, 2024. Any coursework started beforehand will not be counted towards the completion.
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.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Coaching Academy (reminder)
Strengthen your school’s capacity to provide life-changing support to students with a six-day MTSS Coaching Academy. This comprehensive series of on-site and virtual professional development engagement is designed to prepare educators to prioritize success for every learner by championing the work of MTSS.
MTSS Coaching Academy participants will:
- Engage in six days of on-site training at OSSE from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Dec. 5-6, 2024, Jan. 23-24, 2025, and March 6-7, 2025).
- Discover powerful practices that are simple, practical, and effective.
- Design and execute a plan of action for implementing a MTSS.
- Receive yearlong support from MTSS experts.
- Resources to support collaboration.
Spaces are limited to 50 participants. Teams of up to five participants are given preference and individual educators and LEA staff are welcome to apply.
Apply here to participate in the series. For questions, contact Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov.
Secondary Transition Asynchronous Courses (reminder)
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning is pleased to announce two asynchronous courses on secondary transition programming on the OSSE Learning Management System (LMS).
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Student-driven Secondary Transition Planning: This course consists of five asynchronous foundational courses, each focused on a different aspect of the secondary transition planning process. By the end of this course, educators will gain foundational knowledge and increased capacity in developing and implementing high-quality Individualized Transition Plans (ITPs) with secondary transition-age students. Registration link
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Culturally Sustaining Universal Design for Transition (UDT): This course, inspired by "Universal Design for Transition: The Educators’ Guide for Equity-Focused Transition Planning," consists of three modules designed to help educators apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in transition planning. It aims to equip teachers and school staff with the knowledge and skills to integrate culturally sustaining practices into the transition process, promoting equity and inclusivity. Registration link
For more information, contact Byul Yim, Instructional Systems Specialist (Special Education), at Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
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Fiscal Year 2025 Child and Educator Wellness Grant Now Available (reminder)
The competitive grant application for the FY25 Whole Child and Educator Wellness Grant is now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). This grant is available to community-based organizations that have experience working with early childhood education facilities, public and public charter schools. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. The award period for these grants is Jan. 27-Sep. 30, 2025.
An optional pre-application webinar will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, which will provide an overview of the purpose of the Whole Child and Educator Wellness grants, provide information on how to complete the application in EGMS, and share basics of project budgeting and allowable costs. Please register to attend here. The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the OSSE Whole Child and Educator Wellness webpage along with the FY25 Whole Child and Educator Wellness Request for Applications.
For questions or additional information about the Whole Child and Educator Wellness Grant application, contact Kimberly Thompson, Grants Management Specialist, at KimberlyA.Thompson@dc.gov.
Opportunity for Comment on Tydings Waiver Request for Title I Part D Funds (reminder)
OSSE is seeking public comment on its intent to apply for a Tydings waiver to extend the availability of unspent FY22 and FY23 Title I Part D funds. If approved, this waiver will provide additional time for the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) to utilize the funds to support educational programming and services for neglected and delinquent youth.
The proposed waiver would extend the obligation period for these funds through Sept. 30, 2025.
Public Comment Period: Oct. 14, 2024–Nov. 1, 2024
Submit Comments to: osse.grants@dc.gov
For additional information on the waiver request, please visit OSSE's website.
If you have any questions, please contact Megan Williams at Megan.Williams@dc.gov.
FY24 SOAR Formula Semi-Annual and Final Narrative Report Due Dec. 13 (Updated Date)
The semi-annual and final narrative report for the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Formula Consolidated grant is due via email to your SOAR grant manager no later than Friday, Dec. 13. Note that this is a change from the original due date to avoid conflicting with the Nov. 15 submission deadline for the FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated grant application. An updated reporting template is available on the SOAR Formula webpage under the “Fiscal Year 2024 Resources” section. Please see the applicable reporting periods below. Both the semi-annual and final narrative report sections are contained within the same reporting template and may be submitted as one document.
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FY24 SOAR Formula Consolidated Grant
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Reporting Period
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Report Template Section
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Report Deadline
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Feb. 1–Sept. 30, 2024
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Semi-Annual Narrative Report 2
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Friday, Dec. 13
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July 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024
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Final Narrative Report
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Friday, Dec. 13
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For questions or additional information about SOAR reporting, please reach out to your SOAR Grant Manager.
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November 2024
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