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New: Discipline Data Validation Application is Live
The Discipline Data Validation sheet is available in the SY25-26 Data Validation application in Qlik. LEAs should use this sheet to verify discipline records submitted via the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) Tool. New this year, the sheet shows discipline rates that will be published on the 2026 DC School Report Card. Because data will not be certified until July 2026, these rates may change throughout the year.
Data usually appear in the application within 24 hours of submission via IDS. LEAs can also use the Discipline Data Errors sheet within the SY25-26 Unified Data Errors (UDEs) application to check for missing discipline records or conflicts between discipline, attendance, and enrollment data. UDEs based on suspension attendance codes and the expulsion exit code may populate before any discipline records are submitted. Many will resolve on their own once a discipline submission is completed. LEAs are encouraged to submit discipline data throughout the year to check for errors prior to the end of year certification process.
Please include all discipline data from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 with each IDS upload. Data from prior submissions are deleted with each new upload.
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Collection Window – July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
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Validation Window – Dec. 2, 2025 – July 1, 2026
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OSSE Support Tool (OSD) Deadline – June 25, 2026
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Certification Date – July 2, 2026
OSSE is offering an asynchronous “Introduction to Discipline Refresher” course for new LEA Data Managers, school leaders, and discipline points of contact. Anyone who works with the OSSE discipline collection is welcome to participate. Topics covered include background information, key dates, collection requirements, data entry overview, and data review and certification.
- Register in the OSSE LMS.
- View the session recording on the course Schoology page.
- Other resources available include important links and reference materials, a copy of the meeting slides, and a series of .ics calendar files that contain reminders about the OST deadline and certification date.
Inclement Weather Instructional Days Reminder (Reminder)
With potential inclement winter weather, a reminder that OSSE considers weather-related early dismissals and late starts full days of instruction for instructional day counting purposes. Schools may be required to reschedule up to two lost days of instruction due to weather-related closures each school year. OSSE will approve instructional day waivers from schools that apply for a waiver for weather-related closures for every closure beyond the first two days of weather-related closures in a school year when that closure is initiated by the Government of the District of Columbia. OSSE will continue to consider all other instructional day waivers on a case-by-case basis.
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.
SY 2025-26 School Health Profiles – Key Dates (Reminder)
On Dec. 15, all LEA-level users who hold the appropriate roles (e.g., LEA Head of School, LEA Data Manager, School Health Profile (SHP) POC) will automatically be granted access to the new SHP application to begin prefilling data for schools. LEA Data Managers should ensure that both LEA-level and school-level SHP points of contact are updated via the all-staff application. All users must use the same email address added in the all-staff application to create a new user profile to log-in to the SHP application. (NOTE: the application will only go live on Dec. 15).
Key Dates:
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Monday, Dec. 15: Early Access to SHP Application Granted to LEA-level Users
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Monday, Jan 12: SHP Application Launches for School-Level Users
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Monday, Feb. 2: OSSE Support Tool (OST) Deadline
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Friday, Feb. 13 by 11:59 p.m.: SHP Data Submission Deadline for School-Level Users
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Tuesday, Feb. 17 by 5 p.m.: SHP Data Certification Deadline by LEA Heads of School
If you have questions, please find a webinar recording here for LEAs explain the log in process; how to request access for new users; how to navigate through the application; and how to submit and certify the data. The webinar covers how to use the SHP application, how to get access and important steps LEA data managers can take to ensure their schools complete the SHP by the Feb. 13 deadline. Please note, this webinar is specific to LEA-level users only. OSSE will share a separate webinar for school-level users in the coming weeks, just before school-level users receive access to the application on Jan. 12.
Your questions may be answered in the FAQs document, which is on the OSSE Healthy Schools Act webpage and also at the end of the questionnaire for the 2025-26 school year. If you have any questions, please contact Grace Manubay at OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov.
LEAs Invited to Share Feedback on CLASS Observations (Reminder)
In recent years, OSSE has partnered with Teachstone to conduct Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observations of preschool-age classrooms in DC. Teachstone is interested in understanding to what extent and in what ways CLASS data is used to inform decision-making in DC and wants to hear from LEA instructional leaders and/or their support staff.
Individuals who support pre-K programs should email Teachstone's Vice President of Client Strategy Matt Owens, at Matt.Owens@teachstone.com if they are interested in sharing their input.
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New: 2026-27 Apprenticeship in Teaching Information Sessions
In preparation for the 2026-2027 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program application cycle, OSSE invites all prospective applicants to attend one of two virtual information sessions.
Paraprofessional and High-Impact Tutoring (HIT) Pathway Information Session
This session will focus on the paraprofessional and high-impact tutoring pathways for current paraprofessionals and HIT tutors who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. The session will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m. To attend, register here.
Master’s in Education Pathway Information Session
This session will focus on OSSE’s new Master’s in Education pathway for current paraprofessionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree but have not yet met the eligibility requirements to obtain an OSSE initial educator credential. This session will take place on Thursday, Jan. 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m. To attend, register here.
For more information about the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program, please visit our website.
Foundations of Special Education Spring 2026 Cohort Program (Reminder)
Enhance your skills and better serve all students, especially those with disabilities, by joining the Foundations of Special Education Spring 2026 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 Jan. 5 here. Participants will be notified by Jan. 9. For questions, contact Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
Additional Opportunities for Action Civics and Project Digital Civic Inquiry Professional Learning (Reminder)
OSSE has partnered Dr. Sarah McGrew (University of Maryland) and the Close Up Foundation to design a series of units designed to support grade 8 educators in implementing Action Civics standards (included in the 2023 Social Studies standards released by OSSE) using the Project Digital Civic Inquiry Curriculum. Each of the units builds on the work conducted by Dr. McGrew in Civic Online Reasoning and the Close Up Foundation's expertise in deliberation-based learning about current issues.
Learning dates and times:
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Dec. 19: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Jan. 23: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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Feb. 6: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
The Project Digital Civic Inquiry Curriculum symposium will take place at Friendship Armstrong Campus, 1400 First St. NW.
To register, please email Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov with the name and email address of your participating Grade 8 educator by Friday, Dec. 12. Instructional coaches or social studies supervisors are also invited to participate alongside educators.
Holocaust Workshop (Reminder)
OSSE and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are excited to announce the launch of a one-day workshop to support educators in teaching the Holocaust.
Secondary English Language Arts and Social Studies educators are invited to a special professional learning day on Feb. 4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The one-day Holocaust Institute will provide educators with an overview of best practices, strategies and resources for teaching the Holocaust with depth, sensitivity, and historical accuracy. Participants will engage with museum experts, explore classroom-ready materials, and strengthen their practice by exploring the choices individuals made during the holocaust.
Target Audience:
- World History II, US History II, and Action Civics educators
- English language arts (ELA) teachers who teach Holocaust texts including Maus, Night, and The Diary of Anne Frank.
- Instructional coaches and administrators who support secondary ELA and social studies teachers.
This opportunity is available to any secondary educator or leader at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here.
For more information, please contact Madison Kantzer at Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Secondary STEM Fair Overview Sessions (Reminder)
The Division of Teaching and Learning will offer an overview of the Secondary Senior Division (grades 9-12) and Secondary Junior Division (grades 6-8) STEM Fairs. The overview conversations geared toward educators, leaders, and coaches supporting students. Whether you are new to supporting students in STEM Fair projects or looking to streamline your current approach, the overview will equip you with the tools and information needed to have a successful fair experience.
The sessions will provide information regarding:
- Historical Participation Rates
- Review Committee Roles and Expectations
- Registration Process and Key Deadlines
If you are interested in scheduling a session, or would like more information, please contact the Teaching and Learning Science Specialist Jhatia McKnight at Jhatia.McKnight@dc.gov. Individual overview sessions can be scheduled through March 28.
Do not miss your opportunity to strengthen your knowledge and role in fostering scientific inquiry and student achievement.
Upcoming Social Studies Professional Learning Opportunities (Reminder)
World History I and Grade 7 Curriculum Cohort
OSSE has partnered with curricular experts to curate a more complete set of lesson resources to support World History I and 1 Driving Concept for Grade 7 Civil War. We are looking for 8-10 educators to pilot the revised curricular materials and provide feedback. Educators will receive coaching and professional learning support, in addition to access to lesson materials. Register here to participate.
Discuss World History Professional Learning
Digital Promise is looking for World History teachers to pilot lesson plans on a set of paired topics: Mongols/Black Death OR Appeasement/Holocaust. Participants can receive up to $500 for their time and will be asked to implement two brief lessons and record classroom discussions. Please see this link for an overview of the study and interest form.
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