SY 2024-25 School Health Profiles (SHP) – LEA Early Access (reminder)
For the 2024-25 school year, the School Health Profiles (SHP) will be administered now through Friday, Feb. 14.
Please review this recording that explains how to use the application, how to get access and important steps LEA data managers can take to help schools navigate these changes and submit the SHP by the Feb. 14 deadline.
Key Dates:
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Wednesday, Jan. 15: SHP Application Launched for School-Level Users
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Monday, Feb. 3: OSSE Support Tool (OST) Deadline
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Friday, Feb. 14 by 11:59 p.m.: SHP Data Submission Deadline for School-Level Users
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Tuesday, Feb. 18 by 5 p.m.: SHP Data Certification Deadline by LEA Heads of School
The questionnaire, recording of the LEA webinar and other resources for the 2024-25 school year are available on the OSSE Healthy Schools Act website. If you have any questions, please contact Norah Khalil at OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov.
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LEA Financial Reporting Application – Submissions due March 14 (reminder)
The LEA Financial Reporting application for the annual collection of financial expenditure data will be released on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Upon the release of the Quickbase application, please click here to find OSSE’s Common Financial Reporting Standards landing page, a hub to access the Quickbase Financial Reporting Application, Virtual Training Materials, and the LEA Financial Reporting Requirements and Guidelines.
All LEAs are required to submit 2023-24 school year financial data to OSSE by Friday, March 14. The DC School Report Card website will then be updated to include the per-pupil financial expenditure data that you submit for each school and LEA.
Additionally, OSSE will hold optional office hours for LEA staff that have questions or need assistance. Please open the hyperlinks attached to the times and dates below to register to attend.
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 any questions related to the LEA Financial Reporting Application, please contact Gabriel Montague, OSSE administrative officer, at Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov or (202) 394-8977.
2025 DC STEM Fair (reminder)
OSSE is excited to announce the DC Secondary STEM Fair and Elementary STEM Exhibition. Both the STEM Fair and Elementary STEM Exhibition will be held on April 5 at Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School. 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 6-8 and 9-12. The elementary exhibition and secondary fair will bring together students from all eight wards to showcase their ideas, talents, and innovative research in STEM.
Participants:
- The Elementary STEM Exhibition is open to students in grades K-5 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.
- The DC Secondary STEM Fair is open to students in grades 6-8 and 9-12 from DC public, public charter, parochial, private and home schools.
To register or for additional information, visit DC STEM FAIR.
For questions about the DC STEM Fair and Elementary Exhibition, please contact Jhatia McKnight, science specialist, at Jhatia.McKnight@dc.gov
Statewide School Climate Surveys: Survey Liaison Sign Up and Training (reminder)
OSSE is excited to work with all LEAs to launch the first District-wide school climate surveys for students (grades 3-12 and adult), teachers and school-based staff, and parents/caregivers. OSSE committed to these surveys in our 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and is required by the State Board of Education (SBOE) to include these data on the DC School Report Card. The survey window will be open from Feb. 24-March 28.
OSSE has partnered with Panorama Education, an industry leader in school climate surveys with deep roots in the District. We believe these surveys will provide you and the public with actionable and comparable data, quickly, that are aligned with many of the District’s key priorities. We encourage schools to schedule a half-hour block for students and staff to take the surveys and allow for time to settle in; the median response time during our pilot last spring was around 11 minutes.
In order to ensure a successful survey program, each school campus should select a survey liaison who will make the plans for student survey administration at their campus, including scheduling and technology access for classrooms. They will share proctor resources with educators. They will monitor response rates for students, staff, and family to make sure as many community voices are shared as possible. This should be a campus-level administrator or staff member who works in a school building. Please submit the survey liaison for each campus by using this form. If you would like to have more than one survey liaison on a campus, great! You can submit the form multiple times.
We strongly encourage survey liaisons to attend one of our upcoming administrator trainings. These trainings will be roughly 30-45 minutes and will cover how the survey platform works, how to support students taking the survey, how to use our communications toolkit and answer any questions. The training sessions are available at the following times:
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Friday, Jan. 31: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Tuesday, Feb. 4: 3 – 4 p.m.
OSSE will also offer a recording of the training if you cannot attend at these times. We have more details on our School Climate Survey page. You are also welcome to email Ben.Peisch@dc.gov with any questions. Thank you for your partnership in this important work!
Inclement Weather Instructional Days Reminder
With the potential for inclement weather every winter, please remember that OSSE does not view snow days as extraordinary operational conditions necessitating a waiver from the instructional day requirements. If a school chooses to close and not provide instruction due to inclement weather, and the closure causes the total number of instructional days to fall below 180 days, the school must add instructional days to the remainder of its school calendar to ensure that at least 180 days of instruction are provided in the 2024-25 school year.
We encourage schools to be prepared to transition to situational distance learning. Every school that routinely provides in-person learning has a “bank” of five distance learning days that can be used at its discretion. These days cannot be built into the school calendar at the beginning of the school year, as they are strictly intended for managing unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather. School leaders do not need advance approval from OSSE to use one of their five banked days but are to note these modifications as they occur in eSchoolPLUS.
For more information, please visit OSSE’s attendance policy and guidance webpage. You may also email OSSE at osse.calendarwaivers@dc.gov with any questions.
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Join the Kindergarten Structured Literacy Coaching Pilot
The Kindergarten Structured Literacy Coaching Pilot is an innovative initiative designed to support teachers' implementation of structured literacy practices. This pilot will focus on using the OSSE Instructional Walkthrough Tool to enhance instructional coaching and improve early literacy outcomes. The pilot will also support leaders in preparing for upcoming kindergarten literacy legislation: Implementation of the Early Literacy Education Task Force Recommendations.
Interested candidates can learn more and apply here: Kindergarten Coaching Pilot Application
Applications open on Jan. 10, and close on Jan. 24. This pilot is only open to four to six schools, so space is limited!
February LEA Special Education Points of Contact Webinar
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 10-11 a.m., OSSE will host the quarterly webinar training for all LEA Special Education POCs (LEA SPED POCs). During this training, OSSE will provide important information relevant to your role as the LEA SPED POC. The agenda will include the following:
- Policy reminders and updates;
- Special Education monitoring reminders and updates;
- Teaching and Learning reminders and updates;
- Special programs reminders and updates;
- Nonpublic placement reminders and updates;
- Transportation updates; and
- Reminders and announcements.
All LEA SPED POCs should plan to participate in each scheduled webinar, as well as share the content, updates, and announcements with relevant staff within your LEA. If you have not already signed up for the 2024-25 school year webinar series, please register here.
If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact LaShonda Wilson Carter at LaShonda.Wilson@dc.gov.
Attention LEAs with Secondary Transition Age Students: Register for New Professional Development
OSSE's Division of Teaching and Learning announced two asynchronous courses on secondary transition programming on the OSSE Learning Management System (LMS) last month. OSSE highly encourages Special Education professionals and Secondary Transition Specialists within your schools to take advantage of this opportunity.
While the District has made steady progress, the US Department of Education (USED) continues to apply specific conditions to the District’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grant due to low rates of compliance with secondary transition planning requirements. During the 2024-25 school year, OSSE is required to report secondary transition compliance for the monitoring period, Oct. 1, 2024-March 31, 2025.
The following modules will support LEAs to build capacity in the area of Secondary Transition:
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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. Participants can earn up to 15 professional learning units (PLUs) for completion of all five modules. 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. PLUs for completion of all five modules. Registration link
For more information, contact Byul Yim, instructional systems specialist (Special Education), at Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
School Climate Trainings (reminder)
Start the new year with professional development opportunities designed to boost a positive school climate and support social and emotional learning! Educators are encouraged to register for engaging trainings offered virtually or in-person.
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Strengthening Social and Emotional Supports for Youth
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Restorative Justice and Student Engagement
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Understanding Trauma in Children and How to Develop Healing-Centered Practices
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Mindfulness, Restoration and Joy for Educators - Monthly Training Series
Foundations of Special Education Spring 2025 Cohort Program (reminder)
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.
Spring 2025 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 spring 2025 cohort via this link. If you are interested in participating in the spring 2025 cohort, please apply by Jan. 31. Educators will be notified during the week of Feb. 3. Accepted educators will be invited to the course. The official start date is Feb. 3. Any coursework started beforehand will not be counted toward 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.
Opportunity for Grade 8 Educators to Participate in Action Civics Professional Learning (reminder)
OSSE is excited to announce that applications for Project Digital Civic Inquiry (DCI) are available!
DCI provides in-depth professional development and six curricular units designed for educators teaching the new Grade 8 Action Civics standards.
Through the DCI 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.
Project DCI educators will:
- Participate in a week of in-person professional learning from Aug. 4-8
- Give students short pre- and post-assessments during the school year
- Videotape the implementation of at least two units
- Receive five virtual follow-up coaching sessions during the 2025-26 school year (evenings in September, October, January, February, and April)
Professional learning 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. Participants will receive $1,800 for completing both the professional learning institute and follow-up coaching sessions.
Please complete the following brief survey to apply to participate in Project DCI!
Project DCI Application
To see project DCI in the news, check out the recent spotlight of the curriculum and pilot program in Ed Week!
Reminder: Curricular Resources Available
Please register for OSSE Learning Management System (LMS) courses to access all of our published materials, including curricular resources and professional learning materials that support the revised social studies standards. Resources are updated regularly. If you would like to schedule school-specific professional learning and support in developing lesson plans using OSSE resources, please reach out to Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Key Features
- Driving questions to guide student inquiry.
- Primary source documents that engage students in historical thinking.
- Curricular resources aligned with each standard.
- Pedagogical and content information for each standard.
Please visit OSSE Social Studies page to learn more about the new standards, implementation guides, and other available instructional materials.
Become a Subject Area Program Reviewer for DC’s Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) (reminder)
Are you an experienced educator with subject area expertise in Computer Science, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Literacy, Secondary English, Secondary Mathematics, or Secondary Science, and an interest in ensuring effective teacher preparation? Serve as a program reviewer to support OSSE’s subject area program state approval and review process at one of DC’s Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs).
By participating in this review process, you will:
- Review documents submitted by a subject area program, including narratives, a curriculum map, and supporting materials described in this OSSE Handbook.
- Evaluate evidence submitted by a subject area program to demonstrate alignment with OSSE's EPP and Subject Area Program Standards.
- Provide OSSE with a recommendation regarding whether a subject area program has met the required standards.
OSSE will host training sessions for all state program reviewers starting in late January. The full review cycle may take up to 16 hours across multiple days, and current educators who complete at least one review are eligible to earn a $350 stipend and up to 16 PLUs for their commitment and efforts. If you are interested in participating as an OSSE subject area program reviewer, please email Sabrina Alano at Sabrina.Alano@dc.gov. Please be sure to include your name, resume and contact information in that communication.
Early Childhood Special Education Community of Practice (reminder)
The Early Childhood Special Education Community of Practice is designed to create authentic opportunities for LEA pre-K special education points of contact and those who support this population to collaborate with others and improve learning outcomes for children ages 3-5 with disabilities who are enrolled in early childhood special education programs. Upcoming community of practice sessions will focus on the topics below. All sessions will take place from 10-11 a.m.
Please register for a community practice session(s) using the links above. For questions, contact Dawn Hilton, Supervisory Coordinator for Special Education (Part B-619), at Dawn.Hilton1@dc.gov.
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FY25 Q1 Grant Reimbursement Requests Due Jan. 31
We have reached the end of the first quarter of grants that began on Oct. 1, 2024. OSSE requires grantees to submit at least one reimbursement request per quarter. After a grantee has an approved application, they may request reimbursement for any allowable expenditures incurred in the approved award period to date.
For fiscal year 2025 (FY25), Quarter 1 is the period from Oct. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2024. Reimbursement requests for this period are due by Jan. 31, 2025 in Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS).
We look forward to reviewing your submissions. Please do not hesitate to contact your OSSE grant specialists for questions or technical assistance.
FY24 ESSER Annual Reporting: Phase I Opening in January (reminder)
Each year, the US Department of Education (USED) requires all state education agencies (SEAs) and LEAs that receive Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to complete annual performance reporting (APR).
The fiscal year 2024 (FY24) data collection for LEAs receiving ESSER funding will also occur in three phases through the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) Portal.
The Phase I data collection will take place through Jan. 24. There are no changes to the Phase I data collection from last year. We plan to communicate the collection windows for Phases II and III prior to the opening of Phase I.
For questions or additional information about ESSER reporting, please contact the OSSE ESSER Team at OSSE.ESSER@dc.gov.
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January 2025
February 2025
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