The Takeaway | SBOE Education Updates

The Takeaway | SBOE Education Updates

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Equity Statement Adopted

During our May Public Meeting, the SBOE adopted the following equity statement:

The DC State Board of Education defines equity in education as ensuring that every student, inclusive of race, religion, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, immigration status, and disability status, has the supports and resources to be successful in school. We believe these supports and resources must be child-centered, evidenced-based, and reflective of the social-emotional and academic needs of the student.

Progressing toward the goal of success for every student and reducing disparities will include monitoring student progress on standardized assessments and relevant academic and non-academic measures included in the ESSA STAR Framework and Report Cards.

By pursuing multiple measures of accountability, this system will hold all schools, school leaders, and staff to the same high expectations for progress and success for all students.

The desired outcome will be that all DC students will graduate from high school fully prepared for college and career opportunities, as engaged and active residents who are prepared to thoughtfully participate in society.

SBOE Adopts #DCGradReqs Recommendations

Task force members at the final meeting

This month, the State Board unanimously adopted the recommendations of its High School Graduation Requirements Task Force. The Board approved a resolution which sent the recommendations to OSSE for consideration. OSSE will review the recommendations expressed in the report and will continue to work with the Board on policy changes that may stem from those recommendations.

Task force members reached consensus on the following recommendations for the consideration of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) to put forward into regulatory policy:

  • Provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate they have mastered course content for world language and mathematics in lieu of taking the course.
  • Reduce the number of required community service hours from 100 to 50.
  • Create a personalized learning plan for each public school student in the District, and revisit this plan in elementary, middle, and high school to ensure the student is on track to graduate.

Read the Resolution


Student Advisory Committee Report

Members of the 2017-18 Student Advisory Committee.

Members of the 2017-18 Student Advisory Committee.

At this month’s public meeting, Student Representatives Tallya Rhodes (H.D. Woodson High School) and Tatiana Robinson (Frank W. Ballou High School) along with members of the Student Advisory Committee (SAC) presented a final report to the Board for consideration. The SAC met eight times over the course of the 2017-18 school year and selected two key topics that the SAC feels can be changed or improved in the District’s public schools. The proposals submitted by the SAC focused on college readiness and equal access to educational opportunity in the District. Working in two teams, SAC members developed a peer-to-peer mentoring program for District students and built a resource website for students looking for guidance and insight into college and career opportunities.

Read the Report


ESSA Task Force Continues Work on Report Card Design

Earlier this month, the ESSA Task Force met for its tenth meeting since August 2017. Representatives from OSSE updated task force members on the design of the new citywide school report card. To design a report card tool that’s helpful for parents and families, we need your help! Help spread the word to your networks by hosting an in-person session. All of the materials you need to host a successful session are available online at this engagement site. The report card is an important part of DC’s responsibilities under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and will debut in December 2018.

The Task Force will meet again on Tuesday, June 5.

Task force members during this month’s meeting

Task force members during this month’s meeting

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SBOE Honors John Stone III & Eastern Health and Medical Sciences Academy

This month, the SBOE recognized John Stone III on his recent retirement. Our Ward 6 representative, Joe Weedon, introduced the ceremonial resolution honoring Mr. Stone’s outstanding contributions to preparing District students for careers as skilled healthcare professionals. Mr. Stone worked with students at the Eastern High School Health and Medical Sciences Academy through their Business Advisory Council for over two decades, including the past ten years as the organization’s treasurer.

Mr. Stone and members of the Eastern High School Health and Medical Sciences Academy Honored at May Public Meeting

Mr. Stone and members of the Eastern High School Health and Medical Sciences Academy Honored at May Public Meeting

Read the Resolution


SBOE in the Community

In May, SBOE members criss-crossed the District visiting DCPS and charter schools, attending community events, and participating in important policy summits.

  • Karen (Ward 7 / President) lauded District teachers for their exceptional contributions at the Gold Standard of Excellence Awards.
  • Jack (Ward 2 / Vice President) honored parents, families, and the LGBTQ community at the PFLAG 45th Anniversary Reception.
  • Ruth (Ward 3) attended #FirstFridays at Rocketship Rise Academy and visited the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum.
  • Ashley (At-Large) and Joe (Ward 6) were up early to join District students at the Bike to School Day event.
  • Markus (Ward 8) joined Councilmember Trayon White and members of the community to help along safe passage routes near Ballou High School.
  • Ruth (Ward 3) and Joe (Ward 6) joined SBOE staff during May school visits to School Without Walls and Center City Shaw.
  • Laura (Ward 1) participated in the citywide PAVE Parent Policy Summit on education.
  • Joe (Ward 6) joined students, District employers, and partners at Eastern High School’s College and Career Day.

The State Board looks forward to continuing our engagement with the community throughout the month of June!

At-Large Representative Ashley Carter, Policy Fellows Kit Faiella and Abby Ragan, Administrative Support Specialist Dyvor Gibson, and Ward 6 Representative Joe Weedon at Bike to School Day 2018

At-Large Representative Ashley Carter, Policy Fellows Kit Faiella and Abby Ragan, Administrative Support Specialist Dyvor Gibson, and Ward 6 Representative Joe Weedon at Bike to School Day 2018

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Upcoming Events

WASHINGTON, DC: Final Update on Report Card Design at ESSA Task Force Meeting

WASHINGTON, DC: Final Update on Report Card Design at ESSA Task Force Meeting

Friday, June 1, 2018
Student Advocate Presents Q3 Report at Working Session

Washington, DC – On Tuesday, June 5, the DC State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold its next Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force meeting at 6:00 p.m. in Room 1117 at 441 4th St NW. Representatives from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will provide a final update on the proposed design of the new citywide school report card. Task force members will then break out into committee work related to leadership, academic rigor, school resources and funding equity, and school environment.

Members of the public may attend and observe all task force meetings, but are not permitted to speak or participate during these sessions. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony or information for consideration by the task force by emailing sboe@dc.gov. The task force meeting will be streamed live via Periscope for those community members who are unable to attend in person.

On Wednesday, June 6, the SBOE will hold its monthly working session at 5:00 p.m. in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. During this working session, the Office of the Student Advocate will provide a quarterly report on their progress assisting District families. Board members will also review proposed draft regulations for credit recovery from OSSE.

The Chief Student Advocate and her team help District families navigate the complex public education system. By supporting and empowering District residents, the Office of the Student Advocate strives to bring equal access to public education. In a continuation of its work with the Board on statewide credit recovery regulations, OSSE will present draft regulations for review. These regulations will be issued for public comment in the coming months.

Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe this working session. However, individuals and representatives of organizations may not speak or participate during the working session. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony for consideration by the SBOE. Written testimony may also be submitted by email at sboe@dc.gov.

The draft agenda for the working session is below. Please note that the agenda may be altered, modified or updated without notice.

I.     Call to Order
II.    Announcement of a Quorum
III.   Student Advocate Quarter 3 Report
IV.   Credit Recovery Regulations
V.    Committee Updates
VI.   Other Discussion
VII.  Ombudsman Report
VIII. Executive Director’s Report
IX.   Adjournment

More information about the SBOE can be found at sboe.dc.gov.

SBOE #DCGradReqs Task Force Continues Work on Making Recommendations

SBOE #DCGradReqs Task Force Continues Work on Making Recommendations

Next Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, March 21st

Washington, DC – The SBOE High School Graduation Requirements Task Force will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. During this meeting, the task force will continue to formalize the details of the agreed-upon technical changes to the requirements and discuss a balance between ensuring that all students receive targeted graduation supports without putting undue burden on schools. The task force is set to conclude its work by next month.

All task force meetings are open to the public. However, individuals and representatives of organizations are not permitted to speak or participate during task force sessions. District residents may stay involved and provide input throughout this process in a variety of ways. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony or information for consideration by the task force by emailing sboe@dc.gov or by filling out this online form. Members of the public can also request to join our discussion group here to share input regarding the work of the task force.

This task force marks an historic citywide effort to review, analyze and, as necessary, make thoughtful, implementable recommendations to adjust DC’s high school graduation requirements for all DCPS and public charter school students. Under the leadership of Ward 1 representative Laura Wilson Phelan and Ward 8 representative Markus Batchelor, the members of the task force mirror our school-aged population, with half of the task force members living or working East of the Anacostia River.

For the latest updates on the work of the task force, please visit sboe.dc.gov/gradreqs.

DC: High School Graduation Requirements Task Force Meeting

DC: High School Graduation Requirements Task Force Meeting

Building:
One Judiciary Square
Room:
1114
Location:
441 4th Street NW
Details:

Meeting of the DC State Board of Education’s High School Graduation Requirements Task Force.

Date and Time:

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 –

6:00pm to 8:00pm

 

John-Paul Hayworth
Email:
john-paul.hayworth@dc.gov
Phone:
202-741-0888
SBOE #DCGradReqs Task Force Announces Next Meeting

SBOE #DCGradReqs Task Force Announces Next Meeting

Washington, DC – The DC State Board of Education (SBOE) announces its next High School Graduation Requirements Task Force meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. During this meeting, the task force will discuss options for improving the preparedness of students for high school coursework, college, and career and talk about potential technical adjustments to the graduation requirements themselves.

This task force marks an historic citywide effort to review, analyze and, as necessary, make thoughtful, implementable recommendations to adjust DC’s high school graduation requirements for all DCPS and public charter school students. Under the leadership of Ward 1 representative Laura Wilson Phelan and Ward 8 representative Markus Batchelor, the members of the task force mirror our school-aged population, with half of the task force members living or working East of the Anacostia River.

All task force meetings are open to the public. However, individuals and representatives of organizations are not permitted to speak or participate during task force sessions. District residents may stay involved and provide input throughout this process in a variety of ways. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony or information for consideration by the task force by emailing sboe@dc.gov or by filling out this online form. Members of the public can also request to join our discussion group here to share input regarding the work of the task force.

The DC State Board of Education is an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government of the District of Columbia which works to advise the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), which is the District’s state education agency. The Board approves education policies, sets academic standards, and determines teacher qualifications. The State Board views its role in the achievement of this mission as one of shared responsibility, whereby it engages families, students, educators, community members, elected officials and business leaders to play a vital role in preparing every child for college and/or career success.

For the latest updates on the work of the task force, please visit sboe.dc.gov/gradreqs.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Key Takeaways – SBOE Education Updates

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Key Takeaways – SBOE Education Updates

New Board

December 22, 2017

SBOE Approves Resolution for Most Vulnerable Students

At December’s public meeting, the State Board unanimously approved a resolution that would change the way we report and monitor the progress of some of our most vulnerable students. Across the country, most jurisdictions use a definition of economically disadvantaged that is based on participation in the free and reduced-price meal program, commonly called FARM. SBOE President and Ward 7 Representative Karen Williams explained, “The problem is that many schools receive what is called community eligibility for FARM, where if a certain percentage of students at a school qualify for FARM, all of its students are labeled as economically disadvantaged. This leads to less precise reporting, since not all students at a community eligible school are actually living in poverty.”

The resolution approved by the State Board would instead link the definition of “economically disadvantaged” to other federal programs, including Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and an individual student’s homeless or foster care status. The SBOE noted that this information is already being collected by the District for reporting the number of students labeled as at-risk, so the burden on schools is minimal.

State Superintendent Hanseul Kang spoke of ensuring the SBOE is informed of the work her agency is doing on a new definition for “economically disadvantaged” students to ensure that the District’s reporting requirements not only provide detailed information about these vulnerable students, but also that the rules do not have unintended consequences reporting & transparency.

Read the Resolution

SBOE Honors Achievements at Public Meeting

ballou football

Celebrating Ballou Senior High School’s Football Team, DC’s 2017 State Champions

At this month’s public meeting, the State Board honored the achievements of the Martin Luther King Parade Committee, Changamire (“Changa”) Anderson II, and the Ballou Senior High School DC Football Champions. Ward 8 representative Markus Batchelor moved resolutions to honor the Ballou Senior High School Football Team, DC’s 2017 State Champions and the 12th Annual Martin Luther King Peace Walk & Parade Committee for their dedication to the enrichment of our students. Ward 4 representative Lannette Woodruff introduced a resolution honoring the hard work of student athlete Changa Anderson, grandson of former Ward 4 SBOE representative D. Kamili Anderson. Last month, Mr. Anderson represented the United States as a member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team, competing at the World Trampoline Championships in Bulgaria.

changa

Celebrating student athlete Changa Anderson, grandson of former Ward 4 SBOE representative D. Kamili Anderson

Watch the Replay


#ESSATaskForce Update

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Maya Martin, PAVE Executive Director and Josh Boots, EmpowerK12 Executive Director present to the ESSA Task Force

The SBOE Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force met on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 to discuss the new version of DC’s school report card. Maya Martin, Executive Director of Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE), Josh Boots, Executive Director of EmpowerK12, and representatives from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provided task force members with an overview of recently held parent feedback sessions on the DC school report card. View the presentation materials here and watch the replay here.

PAVE held meetings with each of its Parent Leaders in Education (PLE) Boards in Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. At each meeting, parents were asked to rank the top five things they looked for when they chose a school for their student. Parents then examined PCSB’s Performance Management Framework Reports, DC Public School’s Scorecards, and the LEARN DC profiles, and discussed the pros and cons of each. In addition, PAVE canvassed and collected surveys from 51 total parents. 85% of parents who attended sessions said “Student Performance by Subgroup” and “Teacher Quality” were the most important factors needed on a school report card. Re-enrollment, School Funding, and Attendance were also rated highly. Parents want one source where they can get data, and one that helps them interpret quality more easily.

OSSE’s Deputy Chief of Staff Naomi Watson & Special Assistant Justin Tooley presented information from recently held school report card parent sessions. OSSE reported hearing from 430 parents, families, and community members at in-person sessions and from an online survey. The team expects to hear up to 1500 pieces of feedback. The top themes that parents are looking for include teacher data, parent and family engagement, graduation and college-preparedness, diversity, grades and test scores, and discipline and safety.

The OSSE Parent and Community Engagement Toolkit is now available here to learn how to facilitate your own feedback session. Community members can also take an online survey to provide feedback. OSSE will log and analyze all of the public feedback, and then update the report card content based on the analysis collected. OSSE will present a final proposed list to the State Board of Education in January 2018.

The next ESSA Task Force meeting will be held on January 9th.

essa 2

OSSE Deputy Chief of Staff Naomi Watson and Special Assistant Justin Tooley present feedback from parent sessions on the school report card.

Learn More


#DCGradReqs Update

hsgrad2

SBOE #DCGradReqs members participate in group work

The #DCGradReqs Task Force will be taking a strategic pause during the month of January 2018 to take advantage of upcoming information that will influence the task force’s work. Stepping back for a month will allow staff and task force members to reflect on constituent feedback received thus far, as well as consider information from the ongoing investigation of the implementation of high school graduation requirements at Ballou High School and other schools across the city. The results of the citywide investigation being led by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education are expected at the end of January. Members will reconvene in February to continue their work.

We encourage community members to engage in the discussions related to graduation requirements through our other forums. Your input is vital to our work as we move forward.

You may get involved  in the following ways:

Share your ideas with your elected State Board member or task force co-chairs, Laura Wilson Phelan (Ward 1) and Markus Batchelor (Ward 8).

Learn More


Student Discipline

Joyanna Smith, Ombudsman for Public Education, and Faith Gibson Hubbard, Chief Student Advocate, provided an update to the Board on student discipline measures in the District at the December State Board Working Session. Ms. Smith provide statistics that showed that 33% of the cases her office receives that involve students who have been suspended also involve students who have IEP services, are undergoing evaluation, or are waiting to be evaluated. 36% of schools in the District of Columbia have a suspension rate above the District-wide average and 87% of schools with a suspension rate of 20% or higher are in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8. Additionally, these schools also tend to be at least 95% African American and have an at-risk student population of more than 60%.

Ms. Smith stated that local analysis of the District’s discipline data demonstrates that despite efforts to overcome disparate discipline procedures by developing discipline LEA guidance, enacting the Pre-K Student Discipline Amendment Act of 2015 and piloting restorative justice practices – the District continues to suspend or expel low-income and students of color at disproportionate rates. In D.C., African American students are 6.8 times more likely to be suspended than their white peers, while Latino students are 2.4 times more likely to have received at least one out-of-school suspension than their white peers. For African American students attending D.C. public schools, the level of disproportionality is well above the national average.

Ms. Gibson Hubbard provided some context to the issue of student discipline in the District. Confusion exists in part due the essentially 60 plus schools districts that exist in the District of Columbia. Each of the school districts, or Local Education Agencies (LEA’s) has its own student discipline policy. DCPS has discipline and behavior policies which are subject to the city regulations, code, and government oversight. Public Charter Schools have the autonomy to create their own discipline and behavior policies, with considerations from OSSE’s non-regulatory discipline guidance and the Public Charter School Board disciplinary guidance.

For the past two schools years, the Office of the Student Advocate has conducted, in partnership with the Council for Court Excellence and Howard University School of Law, an analysis of LEA student discipline policies in the District. View the Ombudsman presentation here and view the Student Advocate presentation here.

Watch the Replay


Community Engagement at EdFEST 2017

edfest 1

SBOE Public Affairs Specialist Paul Negron, Ombudsman for Public Education Joyanna Smith, Deputy Mayor for Education Chief of Staff Ahnna Smith, SBOE Executive Director John-Paul Hayworth and SBOE President and Ward 7 Representative Karen Williams at EdFEST17

Rain, sleet and snow did not stop the SBOE from heading to EdFEST17 on Saturday, December 9th! Members from the State Board and the Office of the Ombudsman and Student Advocate joined a number of DC public schools and public charter schools to showcase the city’s public school options (PK3-12) for the upcoming school year at DC Armory.

The common lottery application is now officially open! Parents may start filling out applications here ahead of the February 1st high school and March 1st PK3-8 application deadlines.

EdFEST featured many free services and fun activities for the whole family:

  • Lottery application information and guidance from the My School DC team. Immunizations for youth and adults, health screenings for kids and teens, and lots more family fun, games and entertainment brought to you by the DC Department of Health and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
  • Recreational activities for all ages brought to you by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation
  • Story time with DC Public Library
edfest2

SBOE Ward 8 Representative Markus Batchelor, Mayor Muriel Bowser, SBOE At-Large Representative Ashley Carter and DCPS Chancellor Antwan Wilson at EdFEST17

Learn More


Office of the Ombudsman Annual Report

ombuds group

SBOE Public Affairs Specialist Paul Negron, SBOE President and Ward 7 Representative Karen Williams, Ombudsman Program Associate Khadijah Williams, Assistant Ombudsman Clarence Parks, Ombudsman for Public Education Joyanna Smith, Student Advocate Program Associate Tiffany Wilson, and Student Advocate Dan Davis at EdFEST17

The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education provides conflict resolution services for parents and students across the city. Serving approximately 500 families per year, the dedicated staff of the office, under the leadership of Ombudsman Joyanna Smith, works on issues including: student discipline, special education, truancy, student enrollment, transportation, academic progress and bullying. The 2017 Ombudsman’s report builds upon the equity analysis provided in last year’s report by introducing a proposed equity framework for the city. This framework builds upon more than three years of collaboration with school-based, local, and national education leaders, and intervention with over 1,500 families in all eight wards.

Read the Report


Office of the Student Advocate’s Annual Report and Workshop Series

OSA event

Parents speaking with the Ombudsman for Public Education Joyanna Smith during one of three rounds of individualized mini-sessions at the Office of the Student Advocate’s Know Your Rights Special Education Workshop on December 11th

The Office of the Student Advocate recently released its School Year 2016-2017 Annual Report. The report outlines the office’s work, with a focus on family engagement and student discipline, and provides recommendations that address the city’s top public education concerns. You can read the report here.

Most recently, the office relaunched its Special Education “Know Your Rights” Workshop Series in Ward 3 and its Parent Leadership Series in Wards 7 and 8. With the partnership of State Board members, Ruth Wattenberg (Ward 3), Karen Williams (President, Ward 7), and Markus Batchelor (Ward 8), the three kickoff events engaged more than 100 parents, families, community members, and representatives from partner organizations.

Be on the lookout for the second session of their Ward 7 Parent Leadership Series on February 10, 2018! To learn more about upcoming events and training, visit the Student Advocate training events page. If you have questions or concerns about public education in DC, give the office a call at 202-741-4692 or email student.advocate@dc.gov.

Learn More

holiday 4


Upcoming Events


JAN EVENTS

SBOE Announces Third #ESSA Task Force Meeting

SBOE Announces Third #ESSA Task Force Meeting

Friday, September 29, 2017
October Working Session Agenda Also Released

Washington, DC – The DC State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold its third Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. The twenty-nine members of the task force will continue the important work of devising education policy recommendations related to the District’s implementation of ESSA. More information about the work of the task force can be found at sboe.dc.gov/essa.

All task force meetings are open to the public. However, individuals and representatives of organizations are not permitted to speak or participate during task force sessions. District residents may stay involved and provide input throughout this process in a variety of ways. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony or information for consideration by the task force by emailing sboe@dc.gov. The task force meeting will be streamed live via Periscope for those community members who are unable to attend in person.

On October 4, 2017, the SBOE will hold its monthly working session. The working session will be held at 5:00 p.m. in Room 1114 at 441 4th Street NW. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will present information related to their plan for getting input from the public on the content of a new school report card that will provide information on all of the District’s public and public charter schools. State Board members will also receive an update from staff on a grant that the State Board received from the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). The Chairs of the High School Graduation Requirements Task Force and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force will also update the Board on their work.

The public is welcome to attend the working session. However, individuals and representatives of organizations are not permitted to speak or participate during the working session. Individuals and representatives of organizations may submit written testimony for consideration by the SBOE. Written testimony may also be submitted by email at sboe@dc.gov.

The draft agenda for the working session is below. Please note that the agenda may be altered, modified or updated without notice.

I.   Call to Order
II.  Announcement of a Quorum
III. School Report Card Public Engagement Plan
IV. NASBE Deeper Learning Grant Update
V.  Committee Updates
VI. Office Reports
VII. Adjournment

The State Board of Education provides policy leadership, support, advocacy, and oversight of public education to ensure that every student is valued and learns the skills and knowledge necessary to become informed, competent, and contributing global citizens. More information about the SBOE can be found at sboe.dc.gov.