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DC Secondary Transition Capacity Building Institute 2023 

“Expanding Postsecondary Pathways for Students with Disabilities” 

• Increase their knowledge about secondary transition for students with disabilities;  
• Gather resources; and  
• Meet with individuals from across the District who are working diligently on improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.  

 

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Foundations of Special Education: Skill-Building Opportunities for DC Educators
NEW!  $1,000 Stipend for Completion of the Foundations of Special Education Coursework
$1,500 Stipend for Completion of the Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI)

By providing the foundational knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve ALL students, especially students with disabilities, these professional learning pathways will build the capacity of District of Columbia educators through meaningful and engaging coursework, while leveraging the flexibility of technology.

• Pathway 1: Foundations of Special Education Coursework – Four asynchronous courses (self-paced modules) followed by opportunities to earn two micro-credentials. Completers will receive a $1,000 stipend from OSSE.
• Pathway 2: Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI) – Coursework completion (including micro-credentials) and Praxis exam support, leading to a special education endorsement added to an existing standard teaching credential. Completers will receive a $1,500 stipend from OSSE, as well as a Praxis exam fee voucher.

The first opportunity, Foundations of Special Education coursework, is open to all pre-K through grade 12+ educators, including general and special education teachers, staff and school leaders, serving in DC public and public charter schools.

The second opportunity (SEERI) is limited to pre-K through grade 12 educators serving in DC public and public charter schools who hold a current and active OSSE standard teaching credential in any subject area other than special education, and who are interested in adding a special education endorsement to their existing standard teacher credential.

Please complete this interest form if interested in joining Pathway 1 or Pathway 2 as part of the Fall 2023 Cohorts. This form will collect participant registration information for the coursework and micro-credentials opportunity, as well as information that OSSE will use to determine eligibility for the SEERI pathway. Educators will be notified on a rolling basis of their eligibility to join a SEERI cohort. Educators not eligible for SEERI are still able to participate in the Foundations of Special Education coursework and micro-credentials, also through a cohort model, including two communities of practice sessions.

The coursework for these initiatives is hosted on OSSE’s new LMS platform. Details for each opportunity are outlined here on OSSE’s website. For questions about this opportunity, contact Byul.Yim@dc.gov.
 

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For more information, please visit the OSSE Dyslexia DC webpage. For questions, please contact Dustin Tamsen, OSSE's Dyslexia Specialist, at Dustin.Tamsen@dc.gov. 

Family Engagement Pop-Ups: Fostering Restorative School Communities

Join us for a transformative experience at the Family Engagement Pop-Ups! The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), in partnership with Restorative DC, will host three pop-up events dedicated to empowering the DC school community through the principles of Restorative Justice and family engagement. 

1. Healing and Community Building: Immerse yourself in the powerful practice of Restorative Justice Circles, fostering a collective sense of healing, family engagement and unity among students, educators, families and community partners.  

2. Dialogue and Reflection: Engage in thought-provoking conversations centered around the implementation and potential challenges of Restorative Justice within the educational landscape, by supporting educators with tools and resources to engage families and assisting families with creating restorative home life. These discussions will illuminate diverse perspectives and facilitate a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of restorative practices in schools. 

3. Resources and Networking: Access a wealth of resources to aid schools in successfully integrating Restorative Justice into their existing frameworks. Connect with like-minded educators, school leaders and student support staff, fostering family engagement in the community to exchange insights, strategies and best practices for cultivating positive school cultures.  

 

Audience: This event is designed for a diverse range of participants, including school leaders, passionate educators, dedicated student support staff, enthusiastic family engagement community partners and caring families. Each attendee contributes a unique perspective to the conversation, ensuring a well-rounded and enriching experience for all.  

The pop-ups will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the following school sites and dates.  

• Roosevelt STAY – Thursday, Sept. 14 (Campus TBD) 
• Sojourner Truth – Thursday, Sept. 21, 1800 Perry St. NE, Washington, DC 20018 
• Seed DC – Thursday, Sept. 28, 4300 C St. SE, Washington, DC 20019 

Register here. For more information, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov. 
 

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Fall 2023 Restorative Justice PD Opportunity

 

Our new Professional Learning Group Program will be an opportunity to work on individual capacity in implementing restorative justice in schools. The program will begin in October. Participants should anticipate one group meeting per month (1-3 hours) plus approximately 5 additional hours based on individual capacity and goals. For questions, please email Jessica.Dulay@dc.gov. 

Getting Ready to Support a Positive School Climate!
Upcoming Professional Development