(Washington, DC) - The DC State Board of Education (SBOE) will hold its monthly public meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at 5:30 pm in the Old Council Chambers at 441 4th Street NW. The Offices of the Ombudsman for Public Education and the Office of the Student Advocate will release annual reports summarizing their work with District families and providing recommendations for the District’s education system.
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.
The Office of the Student Advocate, led by Chief Student Advocate Faith Gibson Hubbard, assists District families in navigating 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. The Student Advocate’s office focused this year on expanding the services our office offers in support of students and families throughout all eight wards of the city. By leveraging connections and partnerships with government agencies, schools, and community-based organizations and increasing strategic outreach efforts, the office has nurtured vital working relationships that are student and family-centric. In doing so, the office tripled the amount of families it was able to serve through its Request for Assistance line (350 families) and direct outreach engagement (2000 individuals).
The State Board will also honor the exceptional efforts of Mr. Paul Howard who was recently named the District’s 2018 Teacher of the Year. Mr. Howard has taught social studies at LaSalle-Backus Education campus for the last five years.
“We applaud the outstanding leadership and commitment to student achievement exhibited by Mr. Howard,” said DC State Board President Karen Williams. “We wish him the best of luck as he proudly represents the District of Columbia in the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year competition.”
The State Board will also honor DCPS’s Banneker High School and Horace Mann Elementary School for being selected as a U.S. Department of Education 2017 National Blue Ribbon School. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
Individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to comment at a public meeting are asked to notify Board staff in advance by phone at (202) 741-0888 or by email at [email protected]. Individuals should furnish their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and organizational affiliation, if any, by the close of business on Monday, November 13, 2017 and should submit one (1) electronic copy of their testimony in advance for the permanent record.
Please be advised that as of November 13, 2017, the 4th Street Metro entrance (near the One Judiciary Square building) will be closed. The F Street entrance and elevators by the National Building Museum will remain in service during construction.
The draft agenda of the meeting 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. Approval of the Agenda
IV. Approval of Minutes
V. Comments from the President of the DC State Board of Education
VI. Comments from the State Superintendent of Education
VII. Public Comment
VIII. 2018 Teacher of the Year Ceremonial Resolution (VOTE)
IX. Blue Ribbon Schools Recognition Ceremonial Resolutions (VOTE)
X. Resolution Amendments (VOTE)
XI. Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education Annual Report
XII. Office of the Student Advocate Annual Report
XIII. Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) in DC
XIV. 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.