DCPS Releases Strategic Plan through 2017

Mayor Gray & Chancellor Henderson announced the release of "A Capital Commitment," DCPS' five-year strategic plan on April 18th, 2012. The plan sets five goals which will guide DCPS' work through 2017. Their five goals include improving achievement rates, investing in struggling schools, increasing graduation rates, improving student satisfaction in their schools and increasing enrollment. Download "A Capital Commitment" here.

2011-2012 DC Public School Enrollment Audit Complete

OSSE has completed the 2011-2012 public school enrollment audit. Overall, public school enrollment has increased by 2%. Enrollment in public charter schools has increased by 8% whereas, enrollment in traditional public schools has decreased by 1%. In an article about the audit, Lisa Gartner from the Washington Examiner quoted our ED who points out the need for DCPS to be more innovative in order to compete with charters.

IFF Releases a Report About Public School Seats in DC

The Deputy Mayor of Education (DME) commissioned a study conducted by the Illinois Facilities Fund, analyzing the gap between student demand and supply of high-quality education opportunities in the public system. Together, DCPS and the PCSB will work with the DME, using the study's findings to make decisions that increase the number of high quality seats in DC. Read more in the Deputy Mayor of Education's press release.

Enrollment Forms for 2012-2013 School Year Available

The DCPS enrollment process for the 2012-2013 school year has begun. Completed enrollment packets are due by May 2 for the Out-of-Boundary lottery. For regular enrollment, all forms, including residency information, are due to your child's school by June 1.
More information here.

DC's Results on the Nation's Report Card

Analysis of DC's National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the nation's report card, shows that students in DC have grown in math and stayed relatively the same in reading since 2007. DCSRN applauds the gains, but underscores the importance of steadfast reforms.
Read DCPS's press release regarding NAEP scores.

Learn How Education Policy Affects Your Child

Learn how federal education policy affects your child’s school and your child’s education.

What is No Child Left Behind?

The Basics:
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a national law that was established in 2002. Its goal was for all students in grades 3-11 to perform on grade level in reading and math by 2014.

What it means for schools:
NCLB created new rules for schools receiving Title I money from the government. Under NCLB, Title I schools must:

What is AYP?

The Basics:
AYP stands for Adequate Yearly Progress. AYP is the system states use to measure each school’s progress toward the goal of all students performing on grade level by 2014.

What it means for schools:
When schools fail to meet AYP they go through 3 stages: School Improvement, Corrective Action, and Restructuring.

What is Title I?

The Basics:
Title I is a national government program that gives money to schools with a high number of low-income students.

What it means for schools:
Schools must use these funds only to help students who are failing to meet state standards. If more than 40% of a school’s students are from low-income families then the school may use the funds for school-wide programs.

What is a charter school?

The Basics:
Charter schools are public schools that do not have to follow all of the regulations that traditional public schools do. Charter schools must report to the state or local school board every 3-5 years and show that they have made academic gains with students in order to stay open.

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D.C. investigating more than 100 special-ed students for residency fraud — 05/16/2012

OSSE report: District pays at least $10 million to educate non-resident students — 05/16/2012

At Meyer awards, teachers who answered the call — 05/16/2012

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