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An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape (2015)

Chapter: Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies

« Previous: Appendix C: The Public Education Reform Amendment Act and Relevant Amendments
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

Appendix D

Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies

This appendix presents tables and figures that supplement the discussion of the city’s implementation of the requirements of the Public Education Reform Amendment Act (PERAA) in Chapter 3. It includes organizational charts for the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), a table summarizing the missions and responsibilities of the five education agencies and how those responsibilities have changed since PERAA was passed, and information about staffing and budgets for each agency.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

TABLE D-1 D.C. Education Agency Missions and Responsibilities

Agency Office and Mission
District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)—Office of the Chancellor District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)—Central Office The mission of the District of Columbia Public Schools is to ensure that every DCPS school provides a world-class education that prepares all of our students, regardless of background or circumstance, for success in college, career, and life.
 
SOURCE: Available:http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS [September 2014]. This mission statement was subsequently taken off the website but is presented in A Capital Commitment, the agency’ 5-year (2012-2017) plan at http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/About+DCPS/A+Capital+Commitment+-+DCPS+Strategic+Plan [February 2015].
 
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) The DME is responsible for developing and implementing the mayor’s vision for academic excellence and creating a high-quality education continuum from birth to 24 (from early childhood to K-12 to post-secondary and the workforce).
 
SOURCE: Available: http://dme.dc.gov/page/about-dme [February 2015].
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Current Areas of Responsibility Primary Changes Since PERAA
  • Office of the Deputy Chancellor for Operations
  • Office of Data and Strategy
  • Office of Specialized Instruction
  • Office of Family and Public Engagement
  • Office of Teaching and Learning
  • Office of Human Capital
  • Office of Schools
No significant changes in mission
  • Overseeing a systemwide education strategy
  • Managing interagency and cross-sector coordination
  • Providing oversight and support for the following education-related agencies:
    • —D.C. Public Library
    • —DCPS
    • —OSSE
    • —PCSB
    • —University of the District of Columbia

Newly responsible for: University of the District of Columbia DCPS PCSB


No longer responsible for: Office of the Ombudsman Interagency coordinating body Office of Public Education Facilities and Modernization Systemwide data system

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Agency Office and Mission
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) OSSE’s mission is to remove barriers and create pathways for D.C. residents to receive a great education and prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.
 
  SOURCE: Available: http://osse.dc.gov/page/about-osse [September 2014].
 
  The mission statement was subsequently revised: OSSE is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools to achieve its key functions:
 
 
  • Overseeing all federal education programs and related grants administered in the District of Columbia.
  • Developing state-level standards aligned with school, college, and workforce readiness expectations.
  • Ensuring access to high-quality child care and universal prekindergarten for eligible District families.
  • Providing resources and support to assist the District’s most vulnerable student populations.
  • Administering the annual DC Comprehensive Assessment System (DC CAS), the statewide student academic achievement exam.
  • Providing regional, door-to-door transportation to school for District children with special needs.
  • Awarding higher education financial assistance to eligible District students at public and private colleges and universities in DC and across the country.
  • Increasing health and physical education awareness as well as ensuring access to free meals year-round.
  • Overseeing the DC State Athletic Association (DCSAA), which provides interscholastic athletic programming that enriches the education experiences of all student-athletes.
  • Providing a one-stop source of statewide school data on each traditional and public charter school as well as resources to support children from birth to postsecondary education: LearnDC at http://osse.dc.gov/page/about-osse [February 2015]
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Current Areas of Responsibility Primary Changes Since PERAA
Primary Programs/Organization Divisions)a Newly responsible for:a
 
  • Adult and Family Education
  • Assessment and Accountability
  • Specialized Education
  • D.C. Youth ReEngagement Center
  • Early Learning
  • Educator Licensure and Accreditation
  • Education Licensure Commission
  • Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Grants Management and Compliance
  • Postsecondary Education
  • Public Charter School Financing and Support
  • Race to the Top
  • Special Education Transportation
  • Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLED)
  • Student Hearing Office
  • Wellness and Nutrition Services

Listed in PERAA but not explicitly in current mission statement:


Providing staff support to the State Board of Education


Providing for education of children in custody of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services


Conducting studies and pilot projects to develop, review, or test state policy

 
SOURCE: Available: http://osse.dc.gov/service/programs  
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Agency Office and Mission
 
D.C. State Board of Education
  • The mission of the D.C. State Board of Education is to provide 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.
  • 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.
 
  SOURCE: Available: http://sboe.dc.gov/page/roles [February 2015].
 
Public Charter School Board Our goal is to ensure that students and families in Washington, DC have access to quality public charter school education. We do that by setting tough academic standards, using a comprehensive charter application review process and effective oversight, providing meaningful support and actively involving parents, school leaders, and community and policy makers.
 
  SOURCE: Available: http://www.dcpcsb.org/about-us [February 2015].
 
Statewide Commission on Children, Youth, and Their Families (SCCYF)  
 
Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization (OPEFM)  

aItems in italics were either not explicitly specified in PERAA or not part of the agency’s portfolio in 2011 (National Research Council, 2011)
SOURCE: Information compiled from the department’s websites listed above, September 2014-February 2015. We note that information on several agency websites changed during that time.

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Current Areas of Responsibility Primary Changes Since PERAA
 
PERAA specified that the SBOE would “advise the State Superintendent” or “approve” policies on matters such as state standards and state policies in particular areas. The SBOE does not have the authority to initiate policies. The SBOE lists its responsibilities as including:
  • State academic standards
  • Standards for high school equivalence credentials
  • High school graduation requirements
  • Standards for high school equivalence credentials
  • State definitions of “adequate yearly progress” and “proficiency”
  • State definition and standards for “highly qualified teachers,” pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
  • Standards for accreditation and certification of teacher preparation programs of colleges and universities
  • Approves or rejects applications for new charter schools
  • Provide oversight in holding schools to high standards
  • Provide support and feedback to schools
  • Solicit community input
Newly responsible for: Office of the Ombudsman Office of the Student Advocate
  • The state accountability plan for the District of Columbia developed by the Chief State School Officer, pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
  • State policies for parental involvement
  • State policies for supplemental education service providers operating in the city
  • Rules for residency verification
  • List of charter school accreditation organizations
  • Categories and format of the annual report card, pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
  • List of private placement accreditation organizations
  • Approval for state rules for enforcing school attendance requirements
  • Approval for state standards for home schooling

No significant changes in mission

 
 
  The SCCYF no longer exists. See text for additional details
 
  Moved to Department of General Services http://dgs.dc.gov/page/about-departmentgeneral-services [September 2014].
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

TABLE D-2 Agency Staffing Structures and Operating Budgets

Agency Office Staff (proposed fiscal 2015) School Support Staff (proposed fiscal 2015) Fiscal 2014 Operating Budget and Proposed Fiscal 2015 Budget
DCPS Central Office and School Support Staffa

  • Office of the Chancellor
  • Office of Human Capital
  • Office of Specialized Instruction
  • Office of Data and Strategy
  • Office of the Chief of Schools
  • Office of Teaching and Learning
  • Office of Family and Public Engagement
  • Office of Chief Financial Officer
  • Office of General Counsel



Total FTEs (not including school personnel)


SOURCE: Available: http://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/ga_dcps_chapter_2015a.pdf [July 2015].
49
106
39
50.5
0
4
11
45
0


304.5
99
55
311
10
162
76
9
0
0


632
2014: $175,753,000 (for central office and school support)

2015: $175,753,000
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
  • Executive and Deputy Directors
  • School Performance Department
  • Legal Department
  • Communications Department
  • Finance, Operations and Strategic Initiatives Department


Total

SOURCE: Available: http://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/gb_dcpcsb_chapter_2015a.pdf [July 2015].
PCSB [budget document confusing—need to confirm. Website indicates:

2
16
5
4
9


36
2014: $4,208,816

2015: $6,741,290
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Agency Office Staff (proposed fiscal 2015) School Support Staff (proposed fiscal 2015) Fiscal 2014 Operating Budget and Proposed Fiscal 2015 Budget
OSSE

  • Agency Financial Operations
  • Educational Facilities and Partnerships
  • Deputy Superintendent of Business and Support
  • Teaching and Learning Childcare Program Development
  • Office of the Director
  • General Education Tuition
  • Office of the Chief Operating Officer
  • Office of the Chief Information Officer
  • Office of Wellness and Nutrition Services
  • Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Postsecondary Education and Workforce Readiness
  • Office of Early Childhood Education
  • Special Education



Total FTEs


SOURCE: Available: http://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/gd_osse_chapter_2015a.pdf [July 2015].


Deputy Mayor for Education
SOURCE: Available: http://cfo.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ocfo/publication/attachments/gw_dme_chapter_2015a.pdf [July 2015].
21.8
0
0
0
38
0
37
21
51
52
45
68.2
48

382


2014: 12

2015: 16























None
2014: $446,685,259

2015: $450, 917,922





Fical 2014 $1,826,134


Fiscal 2015: $6,917,249b
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
State Board of Education 18 None 2014: $866,475

2015: $1,151,555c

aThe positions listed as office staff are management employees. Other support staff, such as managers, coordinators, specialists, analysts, and clerical staff, etc., are included in the school support totals.

bAccording to the fiscal 2015 Budget Guide, the proposed budget “includes a one-time increase of $4,000,000 for the development of a language immersion public charter school campus, which will serve middle and high school students,” as well as “the development and management of an athletic and community meeting space on the grounds of a public charter school” (p. D-135).

cFunding for the Office of the Student Advocate and Office of the Ombudsman were added for fiscal 2015, p. D-129.
SOURCE: All information obtained from District of Columbia Budget Guides for fiscal 2015, available at the website of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer: http://cfo.dc.gov/node/805862 [December 2014].

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

image

FIGURE D-1 DCPS organizational chart.
SOURCE: District of Columbia Public Schools (2014f).

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

image

FIGURE D-2 Office of the State Superintendent of Education organizational chart.
SOURCE: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (2014c).

Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
Page 292
Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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Suggested Citation:"Appendix D: Information about the Functioning of the Education Agencies." National Research Council. 2015. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia: Reform in a Changing Landscape. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/21743.
×
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An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia is a comprehensive five-year summative evaluation report for Phase Two of an initiative to evaluate the District of Columbia's public schools. Consistent with the recommendations in the 2011 report A Plan for Evaluating the District of Columbia's Public Schools, this new report describes changes in the public schools during the period from 2009 to 2013. An Evaluation of the Public Schools of the District of Columbia examines business practices, human resources operations and human capital strategies, academic plans, and student achievement. This report identifies what is working well seven years after legislation was enacted to give control of public schools to the mayor of the District of Columbia and which areas need additional attention.

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