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New: DC Survey About Your School (DC SAYS) Administration Window
OSSE is excited to announce that the DC SAYS spring 2026 survey window will be March 2 – April 3. The survey content and administration process will be the same as last spring. Please note that as part of a multi-pronged effort to turn the data around faster this year, OSSE will not extend the window as we did last year.
To successfully administer the student survey, every school with students in grades 3 and above should appoint a “survey liaison” who will develop plans for administration at their campus, coordinate technology access for classrooms, share proctor resources with educators, and monitor survey response rates. OSSE will host two virtual trainings for liaisons to choose from and also make the recording available on the DC SAYS website.
OSSE is encouraged by the high participation in the first year of administration and the fantastic efforts put forth by schools and LEAs. If you have any questions or concerns, please email osse.dcsays@dc.gov and an OSSE team member will be sure to respond. We are excited for 2026 and thank you and your teams in advance.
New: Course Data Collection Updates
For LEAs that have Unified Data Errors (UDEs) in the Student and Section Course Collection data that need to be resolved by resubmitting Course Catalog Collection data, the Integrated Data Submission (IDS) process for the Course Catalog Collection data will be reopened for resubmission from Jan. 26 through Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. Please note that the new submission will completely overwrite previous submissions, so the entire spreadsheet of Course Catalog Collection data will need to be resubmitted, not just changes.
Once the Course Catalog Collection data has been resubmitted, there will be a delay in resolving the UDEs, as it takes some time for all the applications to sync. Please plan to resubmit the Course Catalog Collection data as early as possible in the submission window, to allow time to review the impact on the Student and Section Course Data and ensure that UDEs are resolved.
LEAs can also schedule a one-on-one meeting for assistance using this link. For additional information or questions, please email Whitney Meagher at Whitney.Meagher@dc.gov.
New: DC Health: Respiratory Disease Outbreak – Toolkit for Schools and Child Care Facilities
DC Health has recently developed and published a new toolkit of resources for schools, child care facilities, and health staff concerning potential respiratory disease outbreaks. Proper planning for any respiratory disease outbreak requires coordination, clear communication, and adherence to public health recommendations. This toolkit provides comprehensive guidelines, protocols, and resources for managing respiratory disease outbreaks in school and child care settings within the District of Columbia.
Please visit the toolkit link to learn more and share with your colleagues, students, and families.
For more information or questions, please email osse.schoolhealth@dc.gov or visit DC Health.
Inclement Weather Instructional Days (Reminder)
With the potential for inclement weather this winter, please remember 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 Mayor. 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.
2025-26 OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching Program Applications Due Feb. 15 (Reminder)
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.
To learn more about the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching program, visit the OSSE Apprenticeship in Teaching webpage. Applications are due Sunday, Feb. 15.
For additional information or questions, please email OSSE.Apprenticeship@dc.gov.
Test Development Opportunity for Educators (Reminder)
OSSE’s Office of Assessments is currently recruiting educators to apply for the opportunity to participate in test development events for multiple DC statewide assessments, including DC Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE), Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA) and WIDA ACCESS.
Applicants selected will be part of a pool of educators available to attend various test development events, including content review, bias and sensitivity review, range finding, data review, and standard setting. Each test development event requires a commitment of approximately three to five days and will be held during the 2025-26 school year or in summer 2026. The assessment vendor will provide participants with a daily stipend or LEAs with substitute reimbursement. Participants can request Professional Learning Units (PLUs) in place of a stipend that can be used toward credential renewal. Participants will also have the opportunity to use experience gained through test development activities to build assessment literacy within their schools and LEAs and influence the content that will appear on the statewide summative assessments for DC students. Applicants who are selected will receive notification from OSSE and event registration information from our partner vendor.
Educators with a range of assessment and curriculum experience, content expertise, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training are welcome to apply, and all applicants should meet the following qualifications:
- Currently employed as a teacher or academic leader for grades 3 through 12 at a District of Columbia public or public charter school;
- Experience teaching diverse populations and/or students with special needs;
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Expertise in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, or science with a deep understanding of the Common Core State Standards or Next Generation Science Standards;
- Three years of experience as a teacher and/or academic leader; and
- Able to commit three to five school days a year to attend test development events.
If you are interested in participating, please complete the application here by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 to be eligible for test development events.
For additional questions, please contact Yolanda Barber at Yolanda.Barber@dc.gov.
DC Health Responds to Changes in CDC’s Vaccine Recommendations (Reminder)
In response to the Centers 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.
Become a Subject Area Program Reviewer for DC’s Educator Preparation Providers (Reminder)
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 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.
Action Civics Curricular Materials Available (Reminder)
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.
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New: Leveraging Technology to Meet the Needs for All Learners, Feb. 23
Join OSSE for a hands-on session focused on leveraging technology to meet students’ diverse academic and communication needs. Participants will explore practical ways to integrate technology tools into daily instruction and learn how these tools support students in school and beyond.
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Making Lessons Accessible with Technology: Monday, Feb. 23, 9 – 11 a.m. Register here
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for Beginners: Monday, Feb. 23, 12 – 2 p.m. Register here
Location: OSSE, First Floor (1050 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002)
Space is limited to 50 educators. Attendees will receive 2 PLUs for each session. For more information, contact Byul Yim at Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
Upcoming Restorative Justice Professional Development (Reminder)
Start the new year with restorative justice professional learning. OSSE is partnering with RestorativeDC to offer interactive workshops with practical tools and effective strategies to implement restorative justice in your school community. These sessions are intended for DC educators serving grades K through 12 and will be held at OSSE, 1050 First St. NE from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, Feb. 3: Transforming Conflict - Restorative Practices for a Positive School Community
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Tuesday, March 17: Leveraging Restorative Justice to Move from Trauma-Informed to Healing-Centered Engagement
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Tuesday, May 12: Restorative Justice Year-End Celebration and Reflection
Register here.
For more information about the trainings visit the RestorativeDC website. For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov.
OSSE’s Division of Health and Wellness Partners with Nemours Children’s Health on Physical Activity Training Program (Reminder)
OSSE’s Division of Health and Wellness’ Healthy Tots and Healthy Schools and Wellness teams have been approved to participate in Nemours Children’s Health Springboard Opportunity: Physical Activity Learning Sessions (PALS) Train the Trainer.
As part of the new partnership, the Healthy Tots team is looking to recruit District early care and education (ECE) staff to participate in the train the trainer through OSSE’s LMS.
PALS is a training package for ECE and health training and technical assistance (T/TA) staff on the best practices for physical activity. PALS trains and coaches state ECE and health T/TA staff working directly with ECE providers (Head Start, Early Head Start, child development centers, family child care, pre-kindergarten). The goal is to increase their knowledge of best practices for physical activity in children ages birth to 5. PALS combines content learning with facility-level self-assessments, policy development opportunities, resources and materials, aimed at supporting practice change in ECE programs — leading to healthier, more active children.
If a representative from your ECE program is interested in the opportunity, please contact Kimberly Thompson at KimberlyA.Thompson@dc.gov.
Dual Language Professional Learning Community in Spanish (Reminder)
In this professional learning series, pre-K through fifth 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, March 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
- Session 4 (In-person at OSSE): Tuesday, April 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.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Series (Reminder)
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 PLUs. For questions, contact Angela.Awonaike@dc.gov.
 IDEA Financial Compliance Reporting – MOE, Excess Cost, and CEIS Due March 2 (Reminder)
Each year, LEAs receiving Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants must report financial data to demonstrate compliance with Maintenance of Effort (MOE), Excess Cost, and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS) requirements. The fiscal year 2025 (FY25) IDEA Financial Compliance Reporting Workbook submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
OSSE will host a webinar at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to review the reporting requirements and demonstrate how to complete and submit the workbook. LEA grant managers are strongly encouraged to participate. Detailed instructions on how to submit will also be shared via email in the coming weeks. Please register to attend the reporting webinar here.
For questions or assistance, contact Kristen Thompson at Kristen.Thompson@dc.gov.
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February 2026
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