 Upcoming Virtual Epinephrine Administration Training (reminder)
OSSE's 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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Youth Mental Health Ambassador Program
OSSE is announcing the launch of the Youth Mental Health Ambassador program for District of Columbia public charter high schools for the 2024-25 school year. In partnership with Our Minds Matter (OMM), the Youth Mental Health Ambassador program is a student-led club that focuses on promoting social connectedness, increasing prosocial skills, practicing self-care and healthy habits, and increasing help-seeking behaviors. With the supervision of school-based staff members, student ambassadors will participate in training and lead programming to advocate for mental health and elevate student well-being. The supervising staff members will receive a stipend for their participation as well as support from OMM. Participating schools will receive training, technical assistance, and consultation from OMM to recruit students, and implement and operate the club. All District of Columbia public charter high schools are eligible to participate. Additional information can be found on OSSE’s ARROW website.
Interested in participating? Interested school leaders should submit an application. Reach out to OSSE.HYDT@dc.gov or program@ourmindsmatter.org with any additional questions.
2023-24 Educator Workforce Report (reminder)
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 (reminder)
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 upcoming 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.
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.
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Inclusive Leadership: Self-Paced Course and Community of Practice (CoP) Pathways
Inclusive Leadership Professional Learning Pathway
OSSE is excited to offer a new professional learning pathway for DC educators beginning November 2024. This pathway equips educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively serve ALL students, especially students with disabilities.
Program Overview: The Inclusion and Inclusive Leadership professional learning series is anchored in OSSE’s Vision of Excellence for Inclusion and Inclusive Leadership. The pathway includes a self-paced, asynchronous virtual course and an aligned Community of Practice (CoP), offering opportunities to earn professional learning units (PLUs). This initiative provides a rich, accessible learning experience through OSSE’s learning management system (LMS).
Inclusive Leadership: Self-Paced Course and Community of Practice (CoP) Pathways:
Description: Developed by DC leaders for DC leaders, this course provides practical tools, high-impact practices, and valuable resources to enhance inclusive education and leadership to support students with disabilities. Participants will explore real-life examples, evidence-based strategies, and actionable resources. The series includes six self-paced modules, each designed to support professional growth and includes a comprehensive learning project to apply the course content.
CoP participants will:
- Engage in 8-10 hours of coursework, including six self-paced modules and independent learning activities.
- Dig deeply into key topics and resources from the course such as setting goals for your team, building an inclusive adult culture, etc.
- Engage in structured collaboration and reflection with leaders from across the District.
- Participate in at least one visit to an exemplar school.
- Learn from guest speakers with expertise in inclusive leadership.
- Have protected time to workshop implementation ideas and get feedback from peers.
This opportunity is open to LEA leaders and school leaders from DC public and public charter schools.
Participants can earn 8 PLUs, with the opportunity to earn up to 16 PLUs by completing all modules and participating CoPs.
To learn more about each opportunity, contact Steaven Hamlin with the OSSE Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) at Steaven.Hamlin@dc.gov.
If you are interested in enrolling in the program, complete the Inclusive Leadership Interest Form.
Supporting Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
OSSE invites DC instructional leaders and teachers of general education and English as a Second Language to participate in a 2-day virtual professional development workshop in partnership with SupportEd. The workshop will focus on strategies to facilitate learning for students with limited or interrupted formal education new to the United States. Educators will gain strategies to support students at emerging English language and literacy development levels. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Effective Instruction for SLIFE will cover:
Part 1: Building Conditions for Learning and Scaffolding Instruction
- Define SLIFE and their characteristics.
- Discuss a framework for effective instruction of SLIFE.
- Explore strategies to scaffold academic tasks to support SLIFE students’ engagement with and understanding of content learning and literacy development.
- Apply tools and strategies to support effective instruction of SLIFE in their context.
Part 2: Teaching School Culture and Building Conditions for Learning
- Define culture and its role in teaching and learning for multilingual learners (MLs).
- Explore practical strategies for building relationships with SLIFE students through an assets-based framework.
- Explore strategies for supporting SLIFE students adjusting to American school culture and routines.
- Set goals for supporting SLIFE students adjusting to American school culture and routines in your context.
Participants will be eligible to earn up to 9 PLUs.
Register: Part 1 and Part 2
For more information contact Francesca Smith at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
Homeless Education Program: McKinney-Vento Monthly Webinar Sessions (reminder)
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 (reminder)
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 PLUs and micro-credentials. The coursework for these initiatives is hosted on OSSE’s 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.
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FY25 ESEA Titles I-IV Final Allocations Released
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides federal funding to LEAs to ensure equal opportunity for all students. Under ESEA, OSSE administers Title I-A, II-A, III-A and IV-A grants through its annual ESEA Consolidated Application (ConApp).
OSSE will post final allocations for each LEA for FY25 ESEA Title grants in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) and on the ESEA Title Grants website by the end of November 2024.
If you have questions or need technical assistance for the FY25 ESEA ConApp, please contact the ConApp team at Con.App@dc.gov
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.
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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