August 2015: OSSE Resource Updates

OSSE has updated its ‘resource’ tab to include new tools to help partners navigate support available at OSSE.

An organizational chart illustrates the agency’s structure. The chart explains each major division of the agency and its key functions, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the teams within each division.

The key points of contact directory will help LEA leaders find the right OSSE staff for support.

 

July 2015: OSSE Releases Report on Movement of Students Into, Out of, and Between Public Schools in DC

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) released a report, “Mid-year Student Movement in DC.” The report analyzes patterns of students in pre-Kindergarten 3 through 12th grade entering, exiting, or transferring between public schools in DC. The report includes data on the 2011-12, 2012-13, and 2013-14 school years. Read full new story at this link.

July 2015: Annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

The Annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey for the 2014-2015 school year is now available. This is a survey for families of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who received special education services during the recent academic year. Your responses will help to improve services and results for children and families. You may skip any item that you feel does not apply to you or your child. Your responses are confidential. You may print the surveys below, complete and return to AJE or OSSE. To complete the survey online, follow this link.

Parent Involvement Survey_ENGLISH

Parent Involvement Survey_SPANISH

June 2015: District of Columbia’s Three-Year ESEA Flexibility Waiver Renewal Request Approved by US Department of Education

In June, the District of Columbia received approval from the US Department of Education to continue implementation of its Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) flexibility waiver through school year 2017-18. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) submitted an amended ESEA flexibility waiver application on behalf of the District of Columbia in March 2015. Read the full news story at this link.

June 2015: Summer Transition Program

This summer, OSSE will launch a Summer Transition Program to help students navigate the college lifestyle. The OSSE Summer Transition Program will focus on the needs of all incoming college freshmen and their families by offering tangible and responsive information through on-going workshops, in an effort to increase awareness of the challenges faced during the 1st year of college. The series of workshops will take place within the summer months (June – August). The workshops will be offered in 1, 2, or 3 hour formats to encourage maximum participation and options for students and families. Read full news story at this link.

May 2015: DC to Shorten PARCC Test Time and Consolidate Testing Windows

The DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced on May 22nd changes to the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) assessment. Based on feedback from educators about this year’s PARCC administration, the PARCC Governing Board unanimously voted yesterday to consolidate the PARCC assessment’s two testing windows into one and cut total test time by about 90 minutes overall beginning in Spring 2016. The Consortium states and PARCC have worked closely to ensure these updates maintain the same high level of validity and continue to provide students and educators with data to inform instruction while also reducing administrative burden on Local Education Agencies and schools. Read full news story at this link.

May 2015: OSSE Releases 2014 Pre-K Report Highlighting DC’s Commitment to Access and Quality

The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) released on May 14th its 2014 pre-kindergarten (pre-K) report: The State of Pre-K in the District of Columbia. The report highlights that the District continued growth in access to pre-K and, for the first time, used a common tool to measure classroom quality across all three sectors – public schools, public charter schools, and community-based organizations. Read full news story at this link.

May 2015: Acting State Superintendent Hanseul Kang’s FY 16 Budget Testimony

Acting State Superintendent Hanseul Kang testified before the Committee on Education about the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s  FY 16 budget.  Read the full testimony at this link.

March 2015: D.C.’s FFY 2015 Draft State Grant Application under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is available for Public Comment

In order to receive a grant award under Part B of IDEA to support the provision of special education and related services to children with disabilities, each state must complete an annual grant application to the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

To ensure an opportunity for the public to provide input, this application must be posted for 60 calendar days and open for public comment for 30 days within the same 60 day period. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) FFY 2015 draft state application and spending plan for IDEA Part B will be posted for 60 days on the OSSE website beginning March 11, 2015.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to make comments on the applications from March 10, 2014, – May 11, 2015. Individuals who wish to do so should direct their comments to Dr. Amy Maisterra, Interim State Superintendent by email at osse.publiccomment@dc.gov. Read full article and view the Part B State Grant Application materials for the District of Columbia at this link.

February 2015: OSSE Announces Additional PARCC Resources to Support Student Success

The District will begin administering the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) state assessments in early March 2015. As the District enters the first test administration window, OSSE has developed additional resources designed to support student success. OSSE has held  numerous parent and community meetings and during these meetings, parents have requested additional resources on PARCC. As a result, OSSE developed a PARCC Parent Toolkit, which can be customized for each school.

October 2014: Annual Special Education Parent Involvement Survey

All parents or guardians of school-aged children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) who received special education and related services during School Year 2013 – 2014 (August 2013 – June 2014) are encouraged to complete the annual parent survey. This survey is intended to measure satisfaction with the special education program and to determine if the school facilitated parent involvement. Parents can complete a hard copy of the survey to submit to AJE or complete the survey online.

June 2014: OSSE Launches Special Education Secondary Transition Public Awareness Campaign – “Get Started Now”

OSSE has launched a public awareness campaign, entitled “Get Started Now” to highlight and feature ways to support a successful transition for youth with disabilities.  “Get Started Now” is a campaign that seeks to heighten awareness about secondary transition and the resources available to the community, and the roles each of us play.

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