AJE wants to help families have a smooth start to the 2026/7 school year, so we are sharing this information from OSSE-DOT about the parent portal, which is also available here – https://osse.dc.gov/node/1785496.
AJE strongly encourages families who use any type of OSSE-DOT supported transportation (including the stipend) to log into the parent portal to verify their information. This is especially true if they have changed campuses, schools or LEAS, or if their pick-up/drop-off address has changed.
As a reminder, transportation is a related service provided to students with disabilities whose IEP or 504 team has decided, with the parent/caregiver, that transportation is needed for the student to access their education. IEP/504 teams (which include the parent/careiver) determine eligibility for transportation and determine what accommodations, modifications and services need to be part of the student’s transportation based on their unique needs as part of the educational decision-making process. OSSE-DOT is the agency that implements the decision of the IEP or 504 team.
Below is the information from OSSE-DOT about transportation and the portal, along with the links you need to access the portal and learn more. AJE has highlighted a few things we want to make sure that families don’t miss!
OSSE Parent Portal
Submit Your Child’s Transportation Preferences Online. The OSSE Parent Portal is a user-friendly online platform for families of students with active individualized education programs (IEPs) and 504 forms that include transportation services so that parents can directly submit their transportation preferences for the ESY 25-26 and SY 26-27.
In the Parent Portal, parents/guardians can choose their child’s preferred transportation service and provide specific pick-up and drop-off addresses.
Transportation Options in the Portal
Parents and guardians will choose one of the following options:
- Will Not Need Transportation
- “My student will not use any OSSE transportation services.”
- Parent Stipend Program
- “I will apply for a $400 monthly stipend for transporting my student to and from their enrolled school.”
- Note:
- If you’re currently enrolled in the 2025–26 Parent Stipend Program, you must still submit your preference in the OSSE Parent Portal to confirm participation for 2026–27.
- Required documentation must be uploaded in the portal. AJE encourages families to review the handout below if they are applying for the stipend.
- Monthly attendance will be verified to maintain stipend eligibility.
- OSSE-DOT Transportation
- “OSSE’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE-DOT) will provide transportation for my student to and from their enrolled school (via yellow school bus or OSSE-designated vehicle). I will provide updated address details in the portal.” AJE encourages families to confirm the ALL addresses are correct; just because you notified your child’s school of an address or phone number change, it does not mean that OSSE-DOT is aware of it.
Additional Resources from OSSE-DOT
- Letter to Transportation Eligible Families:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Access the OSSE-DOT Parent Portal here.
For more information, please contact the OSSE Parent Resource Center at (202) 576-5000 or email osse.parentportal@dc.gov.
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