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NEW: Nominate an Outstanding DC Educator
OSSE is searching for outstanding educators from across the District to be considered for a variety of awards, including the 2026 DC Teacher of the Year and the DC Educator Talent Pool. We are seeking nominations for excellent educators who:
- Inspire and accelerate growth for all students
- Build strong partnerships with families and communities
- Champion the teaching profession
Administrators, colleagues, LEA and school staff, parents, students, and community members can all submit nominations. Self-nominations are also acceptable. Please complete the 2025-26 District of Columbia Outstanding Educator Nomination Form by May 23.
Nominees will be notified on a rolling basis. For a teacher to be eligible for consideration, they must be a current teacher in a DC public school or public charter school and must plan to continue as a teacher in DC for the 2025-26 school year. For questions, please contact Megan.Dumond@dc.gov.
National Public Education Finance Survey and F-33 Data Collection Beginning Soon - Due Friday, June 27 (Reminder)
The Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) National Public Education Finance Survey (NPEFS) and Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33) reporting period will begin the first week of April.
NPEFS is the US Department of Education’s (USED's) annual collection of the nation’s public elementary and secondary school financial data. Data is used to calculate the State Per Pupil Expenditure (SPPE), which is used for Title I and other allocations. The F-33 is a public education financial survey distributed by the US Census Bureau. Many of the NPEFS and F33 data elements overlap so OSSE has combined them into one survey to reduce LEA paperwork and confusion.
As DC’s state education agency, OSSE has been instructed to proceed with both data collections. As an LEA receiving federal funds in FY24, you are required to fill out this financial survey accurately and in its entirety.
When the reporting period begins, each LEA will receive the following from OSSE via email:
- Your LEA’s FY23 NPEFS / F-33 data submission to OSSE from last year
- OSSE’s FY24 NPEFS / F-33 combined collection template
- Link to OSSE’s NPEFS and F-33 website including guidance for the data collection and information about the reporting requirements
The final deadline for LEAs to submit data to OSSE is Friday, June 20. To minimize confusion and maximize effectiveness of processing this data, we strongly encourage LEAs to avoid waiting until the end of the reporting period to submit your data.
If you have any questions related to the NPEFS/F-33 data collection, please contact Gabriel Montague, OSSE administrative officer, at Gabriel.Montague@dc.gov or (202) 394-8977.
Parent/Guardian Truancy Mailings for the 2024-25 School Year (Reminder)
DC law requires educational institutions and OSSE to communicate regarding student attendance status. In the event of a truant student (at least 10 unexcused absences of any minor student within one school year), OSSE is required to provide the truant student’s parent/guardian with a Truancy Prevention Resource Guide (2023-24 version).
In the coming weeks, OSSE will send Truancy Prevention Resource Guides to the parents/guardians of any student who was truant in the first marking period of the 2024-25 school year. A copy of the truancy packet is available on OSSE’s website and further information can be found on the OSSE Attendance and Truancy Resources Website.
For questions or additional information, contact Cameron Martin at Cameron.Martin@dc.gov.
Growing Healthy Schools Month (Reminder)
This April, join our District LEA community in celebrating Growing Healthy Schools Month (GHSM)! GHSM celebrates how schools across the District are creating healthy places for all students. This year, OSSE will highlight five aspects of health throughout April, with weekly themes spotlighting each area of health.
This week, (April 1 – 4) focused on Food & Nutrition. Take a look at our GHSM Resource Guide for some ideas and resources to celebrate next week with your LEA.
Additionally, there are opportunities for District students to win awards for original artwork, written essays, and other activities that highlight health and wellness, through the Student Awards Categories highlighted in the Growing Healthy Schools Month Student Contests Submission Form.
Last but not least, during the month of April, let us know how your school is creating a healthy place for students by taking the Healthy Schools Participation Pledge.
Only school teachers/staff may complete this pledge. Information from pledges will be published to highlight all District schools that are working to create healthy places for our students.
For more information please click here.
Please contact the GHSM team at OSSE.Nutritionprogram@dc.gov with any questions.
Extended: Discipline Data Collection Feedback Survey (Reminder)
OSSE appreciates the time and effort LEAs put into the annual discipline collection and is looking for ways to improve our processes while maintaining compliance with local and federal legislation. To assist with this effort, OSSE would like to learn more about how LEAs are collecting and storing required discipline data prior to submitting to OSSE as part of the data validation process.
Multiple people from each LEA are invited to participate, as OSSE is interested in gaining insights from multiple perspectives. To participate, follow this link: Discipline Data Collection Feedback SY 24-25. The survey will remain open until April 25 to allow as many LEAs as possible to participate.
Additionally, OSSE will offer the opportunity to share feedback 1-on-1 or in a focus group. Please use the survey link above to indicate your interest in participation.
Due today: Course Data Collection Appeals (Reminder)
LEAs that were not able to submit complete and accurate Student and Section Course Data through their ADT feed by March 28 should submit a Student and Section Course Data Certification Appeal in Quickbase and upload this complete form as an attachment. The appeal should be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 4, 2025. OSSE will review all appeals for approval or denial. If the appeal is denied, OSSE will schedule time to meet with the LEA to discuss the appeal and together they will create a final plan.
LEAs can also schedule a 1-on-1 meeting for assistance using this link. For additional information or questions, please email Whitney Meagher at Whitney.Meagher@dc.gov.
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NEW: 2025 Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching Application Now Open
The Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching is a four-day training from July 15-18 and consists of 30 hours of intensive in-person training for K-5 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter school teachers.
This training is free and all participants will receive a stipend. Stipend amounts are contingent upon finalized funding.
Apply here
Applicants will receive notification of acceptance on a rolling basis until the training is full.
For more information visit the Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching webpage.
NEW: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Community of Practice (CoP) for Educators and Instructional Leaders!
OSSE is excited to introduce a new Community of Practice (CoP) designed specifically to support teachers and instructional leaders in effectively implementing the DC K-Adult SEL Standards.
The SEL CoP will provide educators with a collaborative environment to exchange best practices, strengthen adult SEL strategies, address challenges through discussions of Problems of Practice, and enhance the integration of SEL in the classroom. This CoP will also help OSSE plan effective professional learning and provide appropriate resources.
CoP participants will:
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Beginning April 30, engage in three monthly CoP meetings scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month, from 4-5:30 p.m.
- Explore Problems of Practice and obstacles that school staff face with SEL integration.
- Learn about ongoing professional learning opportunities and resources to support school needs.
- Provide insights on OSSE SEL artifacts and resources to inform implementation support.
- Be part of a supportive network of instructional leaders that values equity, student success, and whole-child development.
Audience:
This professional learning opportunity is available to all teachers, instructional coaches, and educational leaders within District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Marcus Hughes with the OSSE Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) at Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov. If you are interested in enrolling, please complete the registration link.
OSSE Special Education Institute Registration Now Open (Reminder)
OSSE invites general education and special education leaders to the Special Education Institute: Collaboration for a Brighter Future hosted virtually on Wednesday, April 30. The Special Education Institute is a capacity-building conference for leaders in DC education to improve daily practices by implementing high-leverage practices and the Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) to achieve equitable outcomes.
Breakout sessions will engage participants to:
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Enhance Instructional Practices: Use evidence-based strategies to advance literacy and math outcomes for all learners.
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Promote Collaboration: Plan with general and special education leaders to network and design inclusive classroom environments.
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Attain Tangible Resources: Explore, create, and refine tools, lesson plans, and interventions tailored to the needs of pre-K through grade 12 learners.
OSSE encourages registration from special education and academic content leaders as teams. Register for the OSSE Special Education Institute here.
Spring 2025 School Climate Trainings (Reminder)
OSSE is offering professional learning opportunities designed to boost a positive school climate and support social and emotional learning! DC educators may register for any of the following sessions through OSSE’s Learning Management System (LMS) and will receive Professional Learning Units (PLUs) for full participation.
For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov or Marcus.Hughes@dc.gov.
Foundations of Special Education Summer 2025 Cohort Program (Reminder)
Enhance your skills and better serve ALL students, especially those with disabilities, by joining the Foundations of Special Education Summer 2025 Cohort Program. Engage in meaningful coursework activities while leveraging the flexibility of technology .
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School Cohort: For DC public and charter schools and Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Program (PKEEP) educators, with up to 10 participants per school, including teachers, coaches, service providers, and leaders.
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Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI) Cohort: Earn a special education endorsement with Praxis support, a voucher, and fee reimbursement.
Visit OSSE’s website for more information. Apply by April 9 via this link. Participants will be notified by April 11. For questions, contact Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
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FY25 Stronger Connections Grant Continuation Application Due April 16
LEAs awarded FY24 Stronger Connections grants must complete continuation applications in order to access these carryover funds in FY25. The application is now available in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) and LEAs must submit applications no later than 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 16.
After OSSE approves your LEA’s application, your LEA can submit reimbursements for Stronger Connections grant expenditures from Oct. 1, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Rudy.Arellano@dc.gov.
SOAR Facilities Competition Now Open – Applications due by 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23
The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Facilities Grant competition is now open for applications in EGMS. The request for applications (RFA) was published on March 28 and provides an overview of the grant, important dates, and application requirements.
The purpose of the funds is to support the improvement and expansion of high-quality public charter schools in DC. Applications must be submitted online in EGMS no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, May 23. Please see the RFA for more information on eligibility criteria.
Pre-application webinars will be held at the following times:
Each webinar will cover the purpose and requirements of the SOAR Facilities grant, including eligibility, priority areas, and key competition details and deadlines. Interested organizations may register to attend either webinar.
OSSE Adult and Family Education Consolidated Competitive Grant – Request for Application (RFA) Release Date: March 31, 2025 (Reminder)
Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) - FY26 Adult and Family Education (AFE) Consolidated Competitive Grant - RFA Release Date: Monday, March 31, at noon.
Interested parties are encouraged to participate in a Pre-Application Conference. One session was held April 3. See details and registration for the next session below:
- Monday, May 5, from 10-11:30 a.m. REGISTER
Eligible providers may also wish to submit an optional Notice of Intent to Apply online by Friday, May 9, at osseafe.wufoo.com/forms/q1xhsbdl1cmmv7p/.
Please note that, to be considered for this grant opportunity, applicants must apply for the OSSE Adult and Family Education Consolidated Competitive Grant in OSSE’s EGMS by the due date of Wednesday, May 21, by 3 p.m.
OSSE Grantee Reimbursement Request Submission Policy (Reminder)
The end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 (FY25) was on March 31, 2025. 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 FY25, Quarter 2 is the period from Jan. 1-March 31, 2025. Reimbursement requests for this period are due by April 30 in EGMS.
We look forward to reviewing your submissions. Please do not hesitate to contact your OSSE grant specialists for questions or technical assistance.
FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated Post-Award Webinar Recording and Semi-Annual Reporting Reminder
OSSE held a post-award webinar on Thursday, March 6 for public charter LEAs that were awarded an FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated grant. The webinar covered topics including reimbursement request submission, semi-annual narrative reporting requirements, and budget amendments.
A recording of the webinar and accompanying slide deck are now available on OSSE’s SOAR Formula web page, along with the FY25 reporting template. LEAs that were unable to attend are encouraged to review the resources to ensure familiarity with grant requirements.
Please note that the first semi-annual narrative report for the FY25 SOAR Formula Consolidated grant will be due by email to your LEA’s SOAR program contact by Friday, May 2.
For any questions, please reach out to your LEA’s SOAR program contact or OPCSFS.funding@dc.gov.
FY26 Draft State Grant Application under Part B of IDEA Open for Public Comment (Reminder)
Every year, OSSE applies to USED for the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B grant. This grant is administered by USED’s Office of Special Education Programs to support free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. This year’s application will be for funds that the District would be awarded for DC fiscal year 2026 (federal fiscal year 2025).
Members of the public will have the opportunity to make comments on OSSE’s IDEA Part B grant application and budget from March 21 through April 21. Comments may be submitted to OSSE.Publiccomment@dc.gov.
The application will remain available on OSSE’s website for an additional 30 days beyond the public comment deadline (through May 22).
Due May 2 - IDEA Financial Compliance Reporting - MOE, Excess Cost and CEIS (Reminder)
Each year, LEAs receiving Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants must report financial data to demonstrate the LEA’s compliance with Maintenance of Effort (MOE), excess cost, and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) requirements. The FY24 IDEA Financial Compliance Reporting Workbook submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2; detailed instructions on how to submit will be shared via email in the upcoming weeks.
Additionally, OSSE hosted a webinar at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18 to review the reporting requirements and how to complete and submit the workbook. LEA grants managers are strongly encouraged to participate. Please register to attend here.
For questions or assistance, please contact Kristen Thompson at Kristen.Thompson@dc.gov.
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