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New: DC Health Responds to Changes in CDC’s Vaccine Recommendations
In response to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Jan. 5 recommendations regarding the national childhood immunization schedule, DC Health has issued a statement that the District’s immunization schedule remains unchanged and continues to be covered by all District public and private insurers. The statement indicates that families in the District should continue to receive the full range of vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
New: SY 2025-26 School Health Profiles (SHP) – LEA Early Access
For the 2025-26 school year, the School Health Profiles (SHP) will be administered from Monday, Jan. 12 through Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. From now until Jan. 12 when the SHP application launches for school-level users, all local education agency (LEA)-level users who hold the appropriate roles (e.g., LEA Head of School, LEA Data Manager, School Health Profile (Point of Contact) POC) should continue pre-filling data for schools and consulting with schools to ensure that 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.
Please review this recording to explain 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. 13 deadline.
Key Dates:
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Monday, Jan. 12: SHP Application Launches for School-Level Users
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Monday, Feb. 2: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (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
DC Public Schools (DCPS) has internal deadlines that fall earlier than some of the above dates. Please check with DCPS Student Health Services contacts for more information.
The questionnaire, recording of the LEA webinar and other resources for the 2025-26 school year are available on the OSSE Healthy Schools Act website. If you have any questions, please contact Grace Manubay at OSSE.SchoolHealth@dc.gov.
New: The 2025-26 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program Application Opens Monday, Jan. 12!
OSSE is excited to announce that the 2025-26 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching application will open on Monday, Jan. 12. The OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program is a cost-free opportunity to become an elementary, early childhood, or special education teacher in DC.
This innovative program removes financial barriers to entering the teaching profession by providing prospective DC educators with a cost-free bachelor’s or master’s degree, flexible coursework offerings, and paid on-the-job learning. Apprentices who successfully complete the program will also be eligible for an OSSE standard teaching credential.
Expanding this program to include a one-year master's degree pathway is an exciting new addition to this year's application cycle. To learn more about the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program, visit the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching webpage.
For additional information or questions, please email OSSE.Apprenticeship@dc.gov.
New: Become a Subject Area Program Reviewer for DC’s Educator Preparation Providers
Are you an experienced educator with subject area expertise in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Literacy/Science of Reading, or Middle School or Secondary Science, and an interest in ensuring effective teacher preparation? Serve as a program reviewer to support OSSE’s review process at one of DC’s Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) that prepares future educators to earn an OSSE teaching credential.
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 and conduct reviews from February to April. 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 professional learning units (PLUs) for their commitment and efforts. If you are interested in participating as an OSSE subject area program reviewer, please complete this form no later than Friday, Jan. 30.
Please reach out to Sabrina Alano at Sabrina.Alano@dc.gov for further information.
New: Action Civics Curricular Materials Available
OSSE has partnered with the University of Maryland and the Close Up Foundation to develop a series of six Action Civics units that focus on teaching students how to evaluate online information, participate in a current issues deliberation, and take civic action. OSSE has additional lesson resources for each unit.
All resources can be found on the Learning Management System (LMS).
For more information, please contact Madison Kantzer at Madison.Kantzer@dc.gov.
Discipline Data Validation Application is Live (Reminder)
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.
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New: Early Childhood Special Education Community of Practice
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.
New: Explicit Writing Instruction for K-5 Multilingual Learners
In this session, K-5 teachers of multilingual learners (MLs) will focus on the sentence-level to support students’ writing growth. Participants will explore strategies from The Writing Revolution, make connections to ML research and WIDA standards, and see classroom examples from a DC teacher.
The session will take place in-person on both Wednesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 28 at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, from 1-3:30 p.m. Attendees will receive 3 professional learning units (PLUs) for their participation. Register here for the session on Jan. 21 or here for the session on Jan. 28. Only register to attend one session.
For more information, contact Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
New: Dual Language Professional Learning Community in Spanish
In this professional learning series, pre-K through 5th grade dual language educators will collaboratively study the book Toma La Palabra by Mónica Lara. Educators will study, discuss, and share strategies for building oracy and literacy skills in Spanish. Dual language teachers, paraprofessionals, and instructional coaches are welcome to attend. The text is available only in Spanish, and all sessions will be facilitated primarily in Spanish.
Participants will receive a copy of the focus text and attend the following sessions:
- Session 1 (In-person at OSSE): Friday, Jan. 30, 2-4 p.m.
- Session 2 (virtual): Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
- Session 3 (virtual): Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
- Session 4 (In-person at OSSE): Tuesday, Apr. 28, 2-4 p.m.
Register here. Participants will receive up to 10 PLUs for full participation.
For more information, reach out to Francesca Smith, Multilingual Specialist, at Francesca.Smith@dc.gov.
New: Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Series
Strengthen your school’s capacity to provide life-changing support to students with OSSE’s MTSS Series. This series prepares educators to prioritize success for every learner by championing the work of MTSS. Engage in a full-day in-person session and three synchronous virtual sessions on MTSS.
Session Dates:
Thursday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- In-person at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE, First Floor, Eleanor Holmes Norton Conference Room
Virtual Sessions, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 10
- Wednesday, April 8
- Tuesday, May 26
Register here. Participants can earn 20 Professional Learning Units (PLUs). For questions, contact Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov.
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. Registration will close on Friday, Jan. 16.
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.
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