News Room

LEA Look Forward for Dec. 5, 2025

arrien.davison — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:55:17 +0000

Friday, December 5, 2025

View the LEA Look Forward for Dec. 5, 2025.

Important Announcements

New: Inclement Weather Instructional Days Reminder
New: SY 2025-26 School Health Profiles – Key Dates
OSSE Strategic Plan Community Input Survey (Reminder)
LEAs Invited to Share Feedback on CLASS Observations (Reminder)

Professional Development, Leadership Opportunities & Events

New: Foundations of Special Education Spring 2026 Cohort Program
New: Additional Opportunities for Action Civics and Project Digital Civic Inquiry Professional Learning
New: Holocaust Workshop
New: Secondary STEM Fair Overview Sessions
New: Upcoming Social Studies Professional Learning Opportunities
Small Group Reading Strategies for Multilingual Learners (Reminder)
Winter 2025-26 Math Bootcamp Enrolling Now (Reminder)

Grants & Funding

School Climate Enhancement Microgrant, ��ѻ��ý by Dec. 8 (Reminder)
FY26 SOAR Formula Application Resources Available, Due Nov. 21 (Reminder)

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Mayor Bowser Encourages Families to Attend EdFEST, Announces Highest Graduation Rate in More Than a Decade

desmond.dinkins — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 16:05:19 +0000

Friday, December 5, 2025

Newly Released 2024-2025 DC School Report Card Shows Four-Year Graduation Rate Reaches 78.7%, Highest-Ever Graduation Rate Since DC Began Using the Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Measure

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and the ��ѻ��ý of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) are encouraging DC families to register for and attend EdFEST, the District’s annual public school fairs that give families the opportunity to meet with representatives from DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools and learn more about options for the upcoming school year. EdFEST will be held over two weekends, starting tomorrow, Saturday, December 6. Tomorrow, families with students entering Grades 9-12 can attend EdFEST at Eastern High School from 10 am to 2 pm Then, on Saturday, December 13, families with students entering pre-K3–Grade 8 can attend EdFEST at Kraken Kourts & Skates from 10 am to 2 pm

Mayor Bowser and OSSE also released the 2024-2025 DC School Report Card, the District’s one-stop shop for data about public schools in the District. The DC School Report Card, which gives families another resource to consult when considering school choice, also shows that the District reached a graduation rate of 78.7% in the 2024-25 school year — a 2.6 percentage point increase in the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate from the previous school year and the highest graduation rate since 2011 when DC first started using the current methodology for calculating graduation rates. Since School Year 2010-11, the four-year graduation rate has increased by more than 18 percentage points.

“We have amazing public schools here in the District, and EdFEST is the best opportunity for families to check out everything we’ve got to offer in one place,” said Mayor Bowser. “DC residents and taxpayers have been serious about investing in our public schools for nearly two decades. And we didn’t just invest in fantastic facilities, we also invested in fantastic people and programming. And because of those investments and those improvements, we’re seeing strong results — from our student achievement data to our graduation rates. I’m proud of our schools, I’m proud of our educators, and I’m proud of our students.”

EdFEST gives families a chance to meet school staff, hear about academic programs, learn about key educational services, and ask practical questions about school experiences before applying through the 2026-27 My School DC Lottery, which opens on Monday, December 15. Families with students entering transition grades (pre-K3, kindergarten, Grade 6, or Grade 9), families new to the District, and any families interested in exploring new school options are encouraged to attend EdFEST. Families can register now at myschooldc.org/events/edfest.

EdFEST for Grades 9-12

When: Saturday, December 6 from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Eastern High School, 1700 East Capitol Steet NE

EdFEST for PK3 – Grade 8

When: Saturday, December 13 from 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Kraken Kourts & Skates, 514 Rhode Island Avenue NE

“Excellent schools attract families to Washington, DC, and our schools offer a wide range of rigorous and innovative programs designed to engage every student,” said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. “I am proud to work in a city committed to continuous improvement and to ensuring every family can find a school where their child will thrive.”

OSSE publishes the DC School Report Card every year to provide parents and families helpful information about schools, covering everything from transportation to academic progress. This year, the report card for the 2024-25 school year also includes findings from the first-ever DC Survey About Your School (DC SAYS) to give families richer context about student experience and school culture. For this inaugural DC SAYS, OSSE fielded responses from 48,745 students (76% of survey-eligible students), 10,036 staff (55%), and 14,590 parents. Families can access the report card at schoolreportcard.dc.gov, and are encouraged to use the data alongside school visits and conversations at EdFEST to help them decide which school best fits their child’s needs.

The application for the 2026-27 My School DC Lottery opens Monday, December 15 and closes Monday, February 2 for Grades 9-12 and Monday, March 2 for pre-K3–Grade 8. Last school year, more than 22,000 applicants participated in the public school lottery and 75% of participants were offered a seat at a school to which they applied — the highest match rate since the lottery began 12 years ago. More information on the lottery is available at myschooldc.org.

Throughout her time in office, Mayor Bowser has remained committed to building on the progress in DC’s public schools. Her administration has created new early childhood education opportunities, modernized and opened new schools across the District, and invested $3.6 billion for school renovations. The FY26 Budget invests another $2 billion for 30 school modernizations and $270 million to support pay increases for DC Public Schools and public charter school teachers. Over the past decade, the District has also substantially expanded college and career readiness opportunities for students. In 2022, OSSE opened the Ward 5 Advanced Technical Center, which has helped 400 students earn an impressive 4,658 college credits within the first three years of operation, saving them approximately $3 million in college tuition. This year, Mayor Bowser opened the new Ward 8 ATC, expanding the program. In 2022, the District also launched the Advanced Internship Program, which allows students to participate in paid and credit-bearing internships aligned with their Career Technical Education program of study during the school year.

These investments are paying off. In August, the Mayor and OSSE announced that DC students have made significant gains in English language arts/literacy and math proficiency. And the DC SAYS survey found that 88% of students in Grades 3-5 and 85% of students in Grades 6-12 citywide report that they have supportive relationships at school.

Mayor Bowser X: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Instagram: @Mayor_Bowser
Mayor Bowser Bluesky: @MayorBowser
Mayor Bowser Facebook: facebook.com/MayorMurielBowser
Mayor Bowser YouTube: https://www.bit.ly/eomvideos
Mayor Bowser LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mayorbowser

LEA Look Forward for Nov. 21, 2025

arrien.davison — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:02:28 +0000

Friday, November 21, 2025

View the LEA Look Forward for Nov. 21, 2025.

Important Announcements

New: OSSE Strategic Plan Community Input Survey
New: LEAs Invited to Share Feedback on CLASS Observations
OSSE & DC Water Collaboration: Water Emergencies – Guidance for Schools and Child Care Facilities (Reminder)

Professional Development, Leadership Opportunities & Events

New: Small Group Reading Strategies for Multilingual Learners
Winter 2025-26 Math Bootcamp Enrolling Now (Reminder)
Explicit Writing Instruction for K-5 Multilingual Learners, Dec. 3 (Reminder)
School Leader Collaborative (Reminder)

Grants & Funding

New: School Climate Enhancement Microgrant, ��ѻ��ý by Dec. 8
FY26 SOAR Formula Application Resources Available, Due Nov. 21 (Reminder)

LEA Look Forward for Nov. 14, 2025

arrien.davison — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 16:31:02 +0000

Friday, November 14, 2025

View the LEA Look Forward for Nov. 14, 2025.

Important Announcements

New: OSSE & DC Water Collaboration: Water Emergencies – Guidance for Schools and Child Care Facilities
Integrated Data Submission (IDS) Tool Open for Discipline Data (Reminder)

Professional Development, Leadership Opportunities & Events

New: D.C. Policy Center & OSSE Presentation on Attendance in DC, Nov. 19
New: OSSE and DC Health Immunization Webinar Nov. 21  
New: Winter 2025-26 Math Bootcamp Enrolling Now
New: Explicit Writing Instruction for K-5 Multilingual Learners, Dec. 3
School Leader Collaborative (Reminder)
Early Childhood Special Education Community of Practice (Reminder)

Grants & Funding

FY26 SOAR Formula Application Resources Available, Due Nov. 21 (Reminder)
OSSE Grant Opportunity for LEAs, ECE Providers to Advance Literacy Outcomes (Reminder)

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Mayor Bowser to Cut the Ribbon on New Fort Totten–Takoma Segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail

nick.bittle — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:39:39 +0000

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

(Washington, DC) – Today, Wednesday, November 12 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will be joined by District Department of Transportation Director Sharon Kershbaum and members of the community to celebrate the completion of the Fort Totten–Takoma segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT).

This milestone closes a long-standing gap in the north-south pedestrian and bicycle network that will connect DC’s Union Station to Silver Spring, Maryland. The newly completed section features a wide paved trail, LED lighting, stormwater management facilities, wayfinding signage, and safety enhancements that separate cyclists and pedestrians from vehicle traffic.

Mayor Bowser remains dedicated to completing all segments of the MBT. Her administration completed the section between Brookland and Fort Totten in 2022, including a protected bike lane on 8th Street NW, and will start construction on the Takoma to Piney Branch section next year, closing the final gap in the DC portion of the trail. Since 2015, the District has added 59 miles of bike lanes, including 36 miles of protected lanes. As part of her commitment to a multimodal DC, the Mayor has almost doubled the number of Capital Bikeshare stations in the city, from 200 to 396 stations, and DC now has nearly 70 miles of trails for residents to enjoy.

When:
Wednesday, November 12 at 11 am.

Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, Ward 4
Sharon Kershbaum, Director, Department of Transportation
Elizabeth Kiker, Executive Director, Washington Area Bicyclist Association

Where:
Metropolitan Branch Trail
Intersection of Whittier Street NW and Blair Road NW
(near 6700 Blair Road NW)
*Closest Metro: Takoma*
*Closest Bus Routes: C75, D5X, D50*
*Closest Bikeshare: 3rd & Underwood St NW*

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to press@dc.gov.

The DC ��ѻ��ý of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment will provide a live feed of this event. To view the event, visit mayor.dc.gov/live, tune in on Channel 16 (DCN), or watch on Mayor Bowser’s Facebook or X.

LEA Look Forward for Nov. 7, 2025

arrien.davison — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:57:36 +0000

Friday, November 7, 2025

View the LEA Look Forward for Nov. 7, 2025.

Important Announcements

Integrated Data Submission (IDS) Tool Open for Discipline Data (Reminder)
2025 Special Education Performance Report (SEPR) Public Release (Reminder)

Professional Development, Leadership Opportunities & Events

New: School Leader Collaborative
Early Childhood Special Education Community of Practice (Reminder)
Foundational Literacy for Multilingual Adolescent Learners Virtual Book Study (Reminder)
Engaging Secondary Newcomers in Content Area Literacy with WIDA (Reminder)

Grants & Funding

FY26 SOAR Formula Application Resources Available (Reminder)
OSSE Grant Opportunity for LEAs, ECE Providers to Advance Literacy Outcomes (Reminder)

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines

Mayor Bowser to Encourage District Residents to Take Pledge and Support Neighbors During Hypothermia Season

nick.bittle — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:10:05 +0000

Friday, November 7, 2025

(Washington, DC) – Today, Friday, November 7 at 11 am, Mayor Muriel Bowser will join the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the DowntownDC BID to kick off Hypothermia Season and encourage residents to take the Hypothermia Awareness Pledge. The pledge is a commitment to look out for neighbors experiencing homelessness during the winter months.

Hypothermia Season runs from November 1 through March 31. During this time, the District activates additional shelter and outreach services to ensure every resident has a safe, warm place to go. At the event, Mayor Bowser will highlight resources available, including hot meals, warming items, and support for individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents are reminded they can call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 to request free, accessible transportation to a shelter for themselves or someone else.

Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, the District has transformed supports for those experiencing homelessness. This includes closing DC General and opening smaller, service-enriched family shelters in every ward, as well as launching non-congregate bridge housing programs at The Aston and E Street. Since 2015, family homelessness has decreased by 61%, including an 18% drop in the past year. The 2025 Point-in-Time Count reported a 9% overall reduction in homelessness citywide from 2024, and a 19% drop from 2020.

When:
Friday, November 7 at 11 am

Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
A.D. Rachel Pierre, Director, DC Department of Human Services
Gerren Price, President & CEO, Downtown DC BID

Where:
Triangle Park
1311 New York Avenue NW
*Closest Metro: McPherson Square*
*Closest Bikeshare: 13th St & New York Ave NW*

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to press@dc.gov.

Mayor Bowser Hosts Scissors & Shovels, Cuts Ribbon on DC Animal Shelter and Breaks Ground on FEMS & OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus

lynn.romano — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:36:35 +0000

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser hosted “Scissors & Shovels,” a dual event celebrating the ribbon cutting of the new DC Animal Shelter at DC Village and the groundbreaking of the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and ��ѻ��ý of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Fleet Maintenance Campus, two major projects on the reimagined DC Village campus in Ward 8.

“Today represents another bold investment in modern government facilities and services,” said Mayor Bowser. “This is a beautiful new animal shelter, with modern health care services and facilities. We want residents to come check it out, visit the animals, and maybe they’ll end up taking one home to be part of their family.”

Starting Tuesday, November 4, all public animal services, including lost and found pets, animal care and control, fostering, wellness, spay and neuter, and community cat services, are now located at the new shelter. The new facility replaces the District’s decades-old facility on New York Avenue NE, marking a major step forward in the District’s commitment to compassionate animal welfare.

The new shelter is the first District-owned and operated animal shelter and hospital and is a true one-stop shop for animal care in the District. The $19.5 million, 30,000-square-foot facility features modern amenities for adoptable animals, family pets, and the broader community, including:

An in-house shelter ICU to treat animals that previously required outside emergency care.
Nearly 10,000 square feet of clinic space for veterinary care.
A large surgical suite that expands spay and neuter capacity.
Advanced diagnostic equipment, including x-ray, ultrasound, and blood testing.
Specialty surgery capabilities for shelter and family pets, including dental cleanings.
Expanded dog and cat housing.
Indoor and outdoor dog play yards.
A large community room for humane education and service groups.

The adoption center is open Tuesday through Friday, 12 to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. Visits and surgeries at the Animal Health Center are by appointment and can be scheduled by calling 202-888-VETS. Adoption fees are waived through Sunday, November 9.

“The DC Village Animal Care and Control Facility is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we lead with compassion and collaboration,” said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health. “This facility represents our shared commitment to building a healthier, safer, and more connected DC for every resident, whether they walk on two legs or four.”

The Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) began its partnership with DC Health on January 1, 2025, assuming responsibility for animal control, care, medical services, field operations, lost and found, and adoptions in the District. The District selected BVSPCA for its nationally recognized track record of high-quality animal care, strong adoption outcomes, and innovative sheltering practices. Since then, Brandywine Valley SPCA has worked closely with the District to ensure a smooth and responsible shift in services, bringing best-in-class standards to support pets and the families who love them.

“We are grateful to be operating out of this beautiful new facility, built by the District to meet the increasing needs for animal services,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA CEO. “The nearly 30,000 square foot campus offers amenities for lost, stray and adoptable animals, family pets, and the community. BVSPCA is excited to provide a wider range of services, including high-quality, low-cost veterinary care, community cat services, along with adoptions and a place for the community to foster, volunteer and support our lifesaving work.”

Construction on the new shelter began in November 2024. Today, the center houses more than 100 animals, with capacity for up to 150.

Mayor Bowser also broke ground on the new FEMS and OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus, a nearly $86 million investment and the largest capital project in FEMS history. Once complete, the facility will support fleet operations for both agencies with modern maintenance bays, fueling stations, and administrative offices designed to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

“The work that happens here at DC Village doesn’t always make headlines, but it’s what keeps our city moving,” said Delano Hunter, Director of the Department of General Services. “The new Animal Shelter and Fleet Facility honor the people who work behind the scenes — maintaining vehicles, caring for animals, and providing critical services to residents across all eight wards.”

The new FEMS facility will support the Department’s Apparatus Division, which services and maintains over 500 vehicles, including 200 frontline fire engines, ladder trucks, ambulances, and rescue squads that respond to more than 200,000 calls each year.

“This new Fleet Maintenance facility will expand the Department’s ability to repair and maintain our rolling stock of fire engines, trucks, ambulances, and a variety of specialized vehicles, ensuring the safety of our members and the vital services we provide to the residents and visitors of the District,” said Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr.

For OSSE, the project will create a new administrative building for the Division of Student Transportation (OSSE-DOT) Southwest Terminal, replacing temporary trailers, reducing downtime, and improving routing and dispatch. OSSE-DOT transports approximately 3,400 special needs students daily from four bus terminals across the city. About 90 buses leave the Southwest Terminal each day, and the new facility will include 150 dedicated bus parking spaces to support those operations. The terminal will also feature sheltered bus parking, electric charging stations, areas for maintenance, and modern office space for employees serving students from across the city.

“This project reflects Mayor Bowser’s continued commitment to investing in education by building much-needed infrastructure for the dedicated professionals who keep our student transportation system running every day,” said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. “The work of bus drivers, attendants, mechanics, terminal managers, and dispatchers is essential, and they deserve a space that reflects the value we place on their service.”

The DC Village campus is being reimagined as a modern government complex that brings critical city services together in one place. With these investments, Mayor Bowser is continuing her commitment to building modern, high-quality facilities across all eight wards, ensuring that District residents and employees have access to world-class public spaces and services.

Mayor Bowser to Host Scissors & Shovels, Attend Ribbon Cutting of DC Animal Shelter and Groundbreaking of the FEMS and OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus

lynn.romano — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:01:24 +0000

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

(Washington, DC) – Today, Wednesday, November 5 at 11 am, Mayor Bowser will host “Scissors & Shovels,” a dual event celebrating the ribbon cutting of the DC Animal Shelter at DC Village and the groundbreaking of the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (FEMS) and ��ѻ��ý of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Fleet Maintenance Campus, both located on the DC Village campus in Ward 8.

The new animal shelter serves as the city’s central hub for animal control services and adoptions. The facility replaces the existing infrastructure at the New York Avenue location and includes new walls and partitions, flooring, indoor and outdoor dog runs, and expanded community service areas. The shelter will be operated by the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), which began its partnership with DC Health on January 1, 2025. BVSPCA is responsible for animal control, care, medical services, field operations, lost and found, and adoptions in the District.

Immediately following the ribbon cutting, Mayor Bowser will break ground on the FEMS and OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus, a nearly $86 million investment that will support fleet operations for both agencies. The new complex will include multiple buildings and fueling stations designed to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

These projects reflect Mayor Bowser’s ongoing commitment to building modern, high-quality facilities across all eight wards. Since 2015, the District has invested billions in schools, libraries, recreation centers, and public safety infrastructure to ensure residents and employees have access to world-class public spaces.

When:
Wednesday, November 5 at 11 am
Groundbreaking to take place following the ribbon cutting

Who:
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director, DC Health
Dr. Antoinette Mitchell, State Superintendent of Education
John A. Donnelly, Sr., DC Fire and EMS Chief
Delano Hunter, Director, Department of General Services

Where:
Ribbon Cutting
DC Animal Shelter at DC Village
4 DC Village Lane SW
Groundbreaking
FEMS & OSSE Fleet Maintenance Campus
6 DC Village Lane SW
*Closest Bus Routes: C27, C17*
*Closest Bikeshare: Joliet St & MLK Ave SW/Bald Eagle Rec Ctr*

Press interested in attending the event are asked to RSVP to press@dc.gov.

DC Math Task Force Publishes Comprehensive Recommendations to Improve Citywide Math Proficiency

arrien.davison — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:31:32 +0000

Friday, October 31, 2025

Report represents yearlong cross-sector effort to improve math education in DC

Today, the ��ѻ��ý of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) published a comprehensive report that outlines recommendations from the DC Math Task Force to rapidly accelerate math proficiency for all students in the District.

“Ensuring our students have the math skills they need to thrive requires strong partnerships between OSSE, schools, families and community members as well as a change mindset across the District,” said State Superintendent Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell. “Research has debunked the long-held belief that only some people can be ‘good at math.’ It is time for us all—teachers, parents, community members — to see ourselves as ‘math people,’ and to foster that mentality among DC’s students as well.”

This task force, which convened regularly during the 2024-25 school year, brought together representatives from District government agencies, local education agencies (LEAs), community stakeholders and educators to create an evidence-based plan for ensuring that all students achieve proficiency in math skills and concepts—preparing them to succeed as critical thinkers and problem-solvers in school and beyond.

As the state education agency for the District of Columbia, OSSE formed the Math Task Force in response to low math proficiency rates on statewide assessments of students citywide, especially after a significant drop during the pandemic years. On the 2023-24 school year DC Comprehensive Assessment for Progress in Education (DC CAPE), fewer than 23 percent of students met or exceeded expectations in math. While proficiency improved in the 2024-25 school year with a 3.6 percent gain, results indicate that too many students are not yet proficient in math.

The Math Task Force recommendations focus on several key topics:

High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM): Reviewing and updating math curricula to ensure alignment with best practices and standards
Professional Learning: Providing ongoing training and support for educators to enhance their instructional practices and content knowledge
Diagnostic Assessment and Intervention: Implementing targeted interventions and supports that are aligned to core instruction for students who are struggling
Family and Community Engagement: Partnering with caregivers so they can take active roles in their child’s math education and to foster a supportive learning environment
Consideration for Integrated Math: Examining the current high school math structure and exploring other potential pathways while maintaining high standards for rigor

In addition to the recommendations included in the Math Task Force Report, OSSE convened DC educators in the Instructional Resources Working Group (IRWG), a subgroup of the Math Task Force, which has released three key resources that complement the Task Force recommendations.

HQIM Toolkit: A rubric to assist LEAs in the selection of high-quality curriculum.
Evidence-Based Math Guidance: A baseline of expectations for K-12 core (Tier 1) math instruction for LEAs.
Learning Walk Tool: A tool to facilitate non-evaluative classroom observations and collect data about math instructional practices.

OSSE is committed to ensuring that every student in the District has access to high-quality math education. The Math Task Force represents a significant step toward achieving this goal and ensuring that all students are prepared for academic success and future careers.

For more information about the Math Task Force and to read the full report, please visit the OSSE website.