|
|
New: Integrated Data Submission (IDS) Tool Open for Discipline Data
The Integrated Data Submission (IDS) is open for the Discipline Data Collection submission process. LEAs are encouraged to submit discipline data throughout the year to check for errors prior to the end of year certification process. New this year, please include all discipline data from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 with each upload. Data from prior submissions are deleted when new data are uploaded to the IDS tool.
This year, LEAs will certify discipline data just once at the end of the year (July 2026). LEAs can access a copy of the updated discipline collection guidance on OSSE’s website here. The current template is available in the IDS tool.
For questions or support with the IDS tool, please submit a ticket in the OSSE Support Tool Quickbase application by using “Discipline” as the issue type with a status sub-category of “Integrated Data Submission Tool (IDS).”
For questions or support with discipline policy, please contact Jenni Russell Ziarnik at OSSE.data@dc.gov or schedule a meeting via the OSSE Discipline Support Bookings tool here.
2025 Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) Public Release (Reminder)
OSSE has publicly posted each LEA’s federal fiscal year 2023 (FFY23) Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) on our website.
On the morning of Friday, Oct. 31, OSSE sent email templates to all LEA leaders and Special Education Points of Contact to support SEPR communications with parents and staff.
For questions about SEPR, please contact Karen Morgan-Donaldson at Karen.Morgan-Donaldson@dc.gov or (202) 724-7803.
|
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. Please register for a community practice session(s) using the links below. All sessions will take place from 10-11 a.m.
For questions, contact Dawn Hilton, Supervisory Coordinator for Special Education (Part B-619), at Dawn.Hilton1@dc.gov.
Foundational Literacy for Multilingual Adolescent Learners Virtual Book Study (Reminder)
Educators of adolescent multilingual learners are invited to join a virtual book study on Teaching Foundational Skills to Adolescent Readers. This series will focus on the unique needs of older readers who struggle with decoding or fluency, while exploring ways to integrate reading support into content instruction and intervention. Participants will receive a copy of the book, read independently, and join two professional learning community sessions, both virtual, with a co-author of the text to discuss strategies for implementation.
Teachers and instructional coaches of multilingual learners, newcomers, and students with limited or interrupted education (SLIFE) in fifth grade through adult education are invited to attend. Educators who lead instruction in Spanish are also welcome.
Date & Time:
- Session 1 (Word Recognition Intervention): Friday, Nov. 7, 2- 3:30 p.m.
- Session 2 (Word Knowledge Instruction): Friday, Dec. 12, 2- 3:30 p.m.
Register here for the virtual sessions. You will register once and receive login information for both sessions. Book distribution logistics to be announced.
Attendees will receive 2 Professional Learning Units (PLUs) per session. Please plan to attend both sessions. For more information, contact Francesca Smith at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
Engaging Secondary Newcomers in Content Area Literacy with WIDA (Reminder)
In this one-day WIDA workshop, educators will explore key factors that influence literacy development in content areas, focusing on how to engage students in content learning. Participants will learn strategies to analyze newcomers’ literacy strengths and identify areas for growth. Through practical application, educators will gain tools for scaffolding instruction to ensure secondary newcomers can engage with rigorous grade-level content in reading and writing, promoting their academic success.
The session will take place in-person on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Content area and language development teachers in grades 6-12 are invited to attend. Attendees will receive 6 professional learning units (PLUs) for their participation. Register here.
For more information, contact Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
Teaching in Spanish: Exploring identities (Reminder) (Enseñando en español: Explorando identidades) (Recordatorio)
This interactive WIDA-led virtual workshop analyzes the importance of recognizing the dynamics of Spanish and its use in teaching and learning in bi/multilingual classrooms. The central idea in this virtual workshop is to include and affirm the varieties of Spanish in the intentional and effective planning for bi/multilingual students. Using el Marco de referencia de las artes del lenguaje del español de WIDA (Marco ALE), participants will explore teaching and learning practices in Spanish to empower educators and students and strengthen instruction. This workshop will be delivered primarily in Spanish.
The session will take place virtually on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 2-3:30 p.m. Spanish Dual Language educators in grades K-12 are invited to attend. Attendees will receive 2 professional learning units (PLUs) for their participation. Register here.
For more information, contact Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
 New: FY26 SOAR Formula Application Resources Available (Applications Due Nov. 21)
The consolidated application for the fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Formula grant programs, which include SOAR Academic Quality and SOAR Early Childhood, is now available in Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). The deadline for local education agencies (LEAs) to submit applications is Friday, Nov. 21 at 3 p.m. The award period for these grants is July 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.
OSSE held an optional pre-application webinar on Oct. 21 to provide an overview of the purposes of the SOAR Formula grants and instructions on how to complete the consolidated application in EGMS. The webinar recording and slide deck are posted on OSSE’s SOAR Formula webpage, along with the FY26 SOAR Formula application guide.
For questions or additional information about the FY26 SOAR Formula Consolidated application, contact your LEA’s SOAR grant specialist.
New: Final Technical Assistance Webinars for the OSSE Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant Application
The deadline for the OSSE CLSD Subgrant Application is quickly approaching! Applications are due in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS) no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
For assistance with navigating the CLSD subgrant application process, please attend one of the upcoming technical assistance webinars using the registration links below. While webinars are optional, we strongly encourage applicants to attend for additional assistance.
Please visit the OSSE CLSD page for information and resources to support the application process and reach out to osse.clsd@dc.gov with additional questions. We hope to see you at one of the upcoming webinars!
OSSE Grant Opportunity for LEAs, ECE Providers to Advance Literacy Outcomes (Reminder)
OSSE has launched two subgrant competitions as part of the Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant awarded to OSSE by the US Department of Education.
The purpose of the CLSD grant program is to advance literacy skills through the use of evidence-based practices, activities, and interventions, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing for children from birth through grade 12. The Request for Applications (RFAs) were released on Friday, Sept. 26 and describe the application process and requirements for both subgrant competitions.
All applications are due by Thursday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. and must be submitted in the Enterprise Grants Management System (EGMS). Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to watch the Pre-Application Webinar for the subgrant competition(s) they wish to apply. Recordings of the Pre-Application Webinars can be found here. OSSE’s CLSD team is also offering office-hour style technical assistance webinars for prospective applicants throughout the application window.
Applicants can find more information on registration and/or view the recordings for the technical assistance webinars at this link.
For questions regarding the subgrant competitions, please email OSSE at OSSE.CLSD@dc.gov.
|
November 2025
December 2025
|
