OSSE SOAR Educator Pipeline Grant Program in District of Columbia

The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Act Educator Pipeline grants, issued by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), aim to enhance the quality and quantity of educators within District of Columbia (DC) public charter schools. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by directly addressing the critical need for a robust and skilled educator workforce, thereby supporting educational excellence and opportunity for students in DC's charter school system. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are DC public charter local education agencies (LEAs) and third-party nonprofit charter support organizations. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the educator supply chain for DC public charter schools, ensuring that these schools have access to high-quality teaching staff. The grant prioritizes organizations with a demonstrated history of success in developing similar educator pipeline programs within DC charter schools. Expected outcomes include an increased pool of qualified educators for DC public charter schools and improved educational outcomes for students due to enhanced teacher quality. Measurable results will be based on the number of educators impacted and the success of the pipeline programs in placing and retaining teachers. Awards are made on a per-teacher basis, not exceeding $10,000 per teacher, demonstrating a focus on directly supporting individual educator development. The grant program's strategic priorities are centered on fostering collaboration between LEAs and experienced nonprofit organizations to leverage their expertise in educator development. The theory of change posits that by investing in proven educator pipeline programs, OSSE can directly influence the supply and quality of educators, leading to a stronger public charter school system in DC and ultimately improving student learning experiences and achievements.