Washington, D.C.—The D.C. State Board of Education (State Board) will hold its monthly public meeting on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to spread globally, the State Board is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our members, staff, and public. The State Board had hoped to provide this public meeting in a hybrid form where members of the public could participate in-person or virtually. Unfortunately, the State Board was unable to identify a location that could provide the necessary technical equipment to achieve such a meeting. Therefore, in order to ensure that the meeting is accessible to the greatest number of residents, this meeting will be held as a video web conference. Materials for the State Board meetings can be found on our meeting website. For the most up-to-date information on the District’s COVID-19 response, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
The State Board will be joined by current students and graduates from some of the District’s Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) programs to learn about their experiences and perspectives as teachers-in-training, as well as current teachers to gain insight into their experiences in seeking employment at a school following completion of the program.
- Aziza Kelly, Howard University, Teacher Residency Program
- Emmanuel Thomas, University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
- Latianna Nichols, Urban Teachers
National Social Work Month celebrates, supports, and uplifts the profession of social work and promotes public participation in recognizing social workers as essential advocates in their communities. Social workers are instrumental in fostering safe, supportive, and welcoming environments in schools through services such as counseling, crisis intervention, assisting with conflict resolution, and strengthening school-family relationships. The State Board recognizes, supports, and celebrates the thousands of social work professionals in the District, especially those who support families, students, teachers, and schools.
The District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) oversees postseason high school sporting contests in D.C. and is made up of DC Public Schools (DCPS) from the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association (DCIAA), D.C. private schools from various conferences, and the Mid Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAC), as well as D.C. public charter schools. The State Board recognizes and congratulates the dedication and hard work on the court and in the classroom, of the student athletes and coaches of Sidwell Friends School on the occasion of their 2022 DCSAA championship victory.
On February 8, 2022, President Joseph Biden named 117 teachers, mentors, and mentoring organizations as recipients of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) which honors the dedication, hard work, and important role that the nation’s teachers and mentors play in supporting learners who will be future Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professionals. The State Board recognizes and honors Sarah Werstuik of Brent Elementary School in Ward 6 and Sheri Frierson-Chenier of Kimbell Elementary School in Ward 7 for their significant contributions to public education and STEM in the District of Columbia, and thanks them for their service to the District’s students.
Read Across America is a year-round program focused on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about and for everyone. The State Board has advocated for and championed the importance of having a librarian in every District school and will continue to hold outdoor story-time events in all eight wards of the District. The State Board celebrates reading—and all of the District’s librarians, teachers, school-based staff, parents, and community members fostering and amplifying reading on Read Across America Day.
Women’s History Month celebrates the culture, contributions, achievements, and history of women of every age, race, ethnicity, and economic background. The State Board recognizes and celebrates National Women’s History Month and the achievements, contributions, and existence of the District’s women, including our five (5) elected female State Board members and four (4) appointed female Student Representatives. The State Board values the importance of culturally sustaining pedagogy, anti-sexism, and women’s voices as important elements of equity and excellence in education.
Saqiyna Gray, a paraprofessional and small group reading specialist at Stanton Elementary School in Ward 8, was awarded the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Never Quit Service Award. Gray exemplifies the values of the Never Quit Service Award—showing great pride and true dedication to her work serving the students and families of the Stanton Elementary School community. Gray provides a safe space to students and a comforting and empathetic ear. The State Board celebrates and honors Saqiyna Gray for being selected as one of 1.4 million public service workers in the AFSCME union as someone who never quits.
Music in Our Schools Month is an annual celebration which engages music educators, students, and communities from around the country in promoting the benefits of music education programs in schools, raises awareness of the importance of music education for all children—and to remind citizens that school is where all children should have access to music. The State Board celebrates local music education programs, organizations, and events, including the DC Keys, the Eastern High School Marching Band, DCPS Honors Ensembles, the DCPS Music & Performing Arts Festival, and the DC Strings, who have offered free virtual music lessons to children who are striving to learn, even during a global pandemic and, celebrates the 37th Annual Music In Our Schools Month and the thousands of educators and students in the District who bring the joy of music to our city.
Public Meeting Agenda
Please note that the agenda may be altered, modified, or updated without notice.
I. Call to Order
II. Announcement of a Quorum
III. Approval of the Agenda & Minutes
IV. Comments from the President of the D.C. State Board of Education
V. Comments from the State Superintendent of Education
VI. Graduates of Educator Preparation Program
i. Aziza Kelly, Howard University, Teacher Residency Program
ii. Emmanuel Thomas, University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
iii. Latianna Nichols, Urban Teachers
VII. Public Comments
i. Written Testimony
ii. Alyson McGee
VIII. Administrative Items (VOTE)
i. CR22-7, National Social Work Month
ii. CR22-8, DCSAA Winter Championships
iii. CR22-9, Recognizing Presidential Award for Excellence in Match and Science Teaching Recipients
iv. CR22-10, Read Across America Day
v. CR22-11, Women's History Month
vi. CR22-12, Saqiyna Gray (AFSCME Never Quit Award)
vi. CR22-13, Music in our Schools Month
IX. New Business
X. Adjournment
About the SBOE
The D.C. State Board of Education is an independent agency within the Government of the District of Columbia that advises the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), the District’s state education agency. The State Board is made up of nine elected representatives, each representing their respective wards, with one member representing DC at large, and four appointed student representatives. The State Board approves statewide education policies and sets academic standards, while OSSE oversees education within the District and manages federal education funding. More information about the SBOE can be found at sboe.dc.gov.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education serves as an external, impartial resource for current and prospective public-school students and their parents or guardians in the resolution of complaints and concerns regarding public education in a way that furthers the students’ best interest. The Ombudsman’s Office uses conflict resolution strategies, including coaching, facilitation, and mediation, to assist families and schools experiencing disagreement or conflict.
The Office of the Student Advocate supports students, parents, and families in their advocacy through parent education, one-on-one coaching, resource supports, and trainings in order to amplify the voices of families and communities in processes and decision-making; to provide avenues for access to resources and understanding systems; and to support power families and communities already possess. Contact the Office of the Student Advocate Monday through Friday at (202) 741-4692 for questions or support with charter and neighborhood schools.
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Contact: Milayo Olufemi
202-710-4641