Pocket-sized. Quick Reference Cards.

Six print-and-keep cards for DC families, every contact, deadline, and right you need within reach.

Published ByDC State Board of Education

Cards 1 · 2 · 3Contacts · Dates · Crisis

Page 1 of cards

Card 1

Key contacts

Save in your phone

Ombudsman · school issues202-741-4692

Office of the Student Advocate202-741-4692

DC State Board of Education202-741-0888

DCPS Central Office202-442-5885

DCPS Special Education202-442-4800

OSSE · State Education202-727-6436

Public Charter School Board (PCSB)202-328-2660

My School DC Help Line202-888-6336

Save these sboe.dc.gov · osse.dc.gov · dcps.dc.gov

Card 2

Key dates each year

Recurring deadlines

My School DC lottery opensDecember

My School DC ranking deadlineEarly March

Lottery results postedLate March

DC TAG application opensEarly February

DC TAG application deadlineAugust 15

FAFSA opensOctober 1

PSAT (offered at school)October

SAT School Day (free, 11th grade)Spring

AP ExamsEarly May

National College Decision DayMay 1

Apply online myschooldc.org · studentaid.gov · osse.dc.gov

Card 3

Emergency & crisis

When you need help now

School Safety Hotline202-576-6000

Crisis Text LineText DC to 741741

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline988

Child & Family Services202-671-SAFE

DC Behavioral Health Crisis1-888-793-4357

Advocates for Justice & Education202-678-8060

Children's Law Center202-467-4900

Bullying report · OSSE202-741-7798

DC 211 (community help)Dial 211

Be ready. You are your child's best advocate.

2

Cards 4 · 5 · 6Rights · Acronyms · Grade by grade

Page 2 of cards

Card 4

Every family's rights

In every DC school

Enroll in AP, IB, CTE, or Dual EnrollmentRegardless of past grades

Request a SpEd evaluation in writing120-day response clock

Receive testing accommodationsPer IEP or 504

Bring an advocate or attorney to IEP/504Federal right

Interpreter for any school meetingFree, on request

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)If you disagree

Dispute decisions via due processMediation, hearing

Testify before SBOE3rd Wed monthly, 5:30 PM

Free college advising via DC-CAPdccap.org

Know this. Schools cannot deny access based on informal criteria.

Card 5

Acronyms decoded

Bring to every meeting

SBOE: DC State Board of Education: state policy, graduation requirements.
OSSE: Office of the State Superintendent: DC's state education agency.
DCPS: DC Public Schools: traditional district, Chancellor-led.
PCSB: DC Public Charter School Board: authorizer / overseer.
IEP: Individualized Education Program: specialized instruction + services.
504: Section 504 plan: classroom accommodations only.
CLCP: College-Level or Career-Preparatory: AP, IB, CTE, Dual Enrollment.
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid: federal grants + DC TAG gate.
DC TAG: DC Tuition Assistance Grant: up to $10K/year at public universities.
EL: English Learner: home language other than English.
WIDA: Annual EL proficiency assessment.
CCR: College & Career Readiness.

Bring this to any school meeting.

Card 6

Grade-by-grade action

One key move per year

8

Explore

Tour high-school programs · meet your counselor · understand graduation requirements.

9

Build foundation

GPA counts day one · join one activity · begin community-service hours · consider first CLCP course.

10

Expand

Take PSAT · explore Dual Enrollment · research careers · visit local colleges.

11

Focus

SAT free at school · campus visits · AP exams · finish service hours · connect with DC-CAP.

12

Apply

FAFSA Oct 1 · DC TAG · submit college apps · decide by May 1 · finish 24 credits.

Track it. 100 community-service hours are required to graduate.

3