The mission of the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is to remove barriers and create pathways so District residents receive an excellent education and are prepared for success in college, careers, and life.

Summary of Services

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education serves as the District of Columbia’s State Education Agency (SEA), thereby granting OSSE oversight responsibility over all federal education programs and related grants administered in the District of Columbia. OSSE has responsibility for setting state-level standards and annually assessing student proficiency, ensuring universal access to childcare and pre-k programs, providing funding and supports to adult education providers and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in achieving objectives, ensuring the state tracks and makes available accurate and reliable data, and assessing meaningful interventions to ensure quality improvements and compliance with state and federal law. OSSE also leads Special Education Transportation and Non-Public Tuition, and administers the District of Columbia Public Charter Schools payments.