Currently, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is seeking members to participate in the Community Review Panel (CRP). The Advocates for Justice and Education want to spread information about the Community Review Panel, including what their purpose is, the requirements to join, and how to apply.
What is the Community Review Panel?
The CRP is a panel of 7 members that provide advice and recommendations to the Office of the State Superintendent about hiring Hearing Officers. In this process, the CRP receives potential candidates for review and once the members have decided, they send their hiring recommendations to OSSE.
What is a Hearing Officer and why are they important?
Hearing Officers’ responsibilities include resolving disputes between parents and their children’s schools about the identification, evaluation, and programming for students with disabilities. They also give the final decision on whether a child has received a Free and Appropriate Public Education. They can directly order Local Education Agencies to make changes to a child’s educational program, complete evaluations, change the student’s placement, or provide other relief as permitted by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The hearings over which Hearing Officers preside provide a formal mechanism for families to enforce their child’s educational rights, resolve disputes, and access the support students with disabilities need for their success.
What are the requirements to join the CRP?
This panel of 7 members who are supposed to meet certain role requirements, as are listed below:
> One attorney knowledgeable in the field of special education who has experience representing parents and is admitted to practice law in DC
> One attorney knowledgeable in the field of special education who has experience representing schools and is admitted to practice law in DC
> One educator knowledgeable in the field of special education and programming
> One representative from a charter school LEA who is knowledgeable in the field of special education and programming
> One representative from DCPS who is knowledgeable in the field of special education and programming
> Two parents of individuals who are or were eligible to receive special education services in DC
> No member of the community review panel may be an employee of OSSE.
How do I apply to be a part of the CRP?
If you are interested in participating in the panel, you should submit a letter of interest to the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) at ODR.intake@dc.gov. Be sure to address your statements to the same office. Statements are due no later than August 18, 2025.
We have attached an article about how to draft a letter of interest below:
>https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/letter-of-interest-vs-cover-letter
Where can I learn more about the CRP?
To learn more about the CRP and its selection requirements, please click here or see the link below. Statements are due no later than August 18, 2025. Interested individuals may submit a letter of interest to ODR at ODR.intake@dc.gov.
D.C. Code about CRP Requirements
>https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/38-2572.02
D.C. Code about Due Process Hearings (how Hearing Officers are involved)
>https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/38/chapters/25C/subchapters/II
Office of the State Superintendent Site
Office of Dispute Resolution Site
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