OSPI NEWS RELEASE: Washington Putting More Focus on the Promotion of Inclusive Education

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 10/24/2019 10:55 AM PDT

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Washington Putting More Focus on the Promotion of Inclusive Education

OLYMPIA—October 24, 2019—When students with disabilities are included in the general education classroom with their peers, they have more positive academic and social outcomes. In comparison to other states, Washington lags in inclusivity.

In Washington, only 56 percent of students with disabilities are included in general education classes for the majority of the school day. Across the nation, the average is 63 percent.

“When students with disabilities are meaningfully included in the general education setting, they experience improved learning outcomes as well as higher rates of graduation, post-secondary education, and competitive employment,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.

“The Legislature’s commitment to bridging the gaps between students with disabilities and their non-disabled peers will benefit all students,” Reykdal continued.

Both the state Legislature and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) have made it a priority to provide more students with disabilities access to learn in general education settings with their non-disabled peers.

Over the next two years, the Legislature will provide $25 million for professional development, including coaching and mentoring classroom teachers on best practices for inclusion, called the Inclusionary Practices Professional Development Project.

In addition, Washington was recently selected to receive support from the TIES Center, a national provider of technical assistance, on building more inclusive practices and policies in schools statewide. The goal of the partnership is to increase the meaningful inclusion of students with significant cognitive disabilities in general education settings.

The technical assistance provided by the TIES Center is grounded in four foundational pillars:

Increased Time and number of students in general education.
Increased Instructional effectiveness.
Increased Engagement, including communicative competence.
Increased State support for inclusive practices.

The Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession and the Haring Center at the University of Washington are both working with OSPI in the Inclusionary Practices Professional Development Project and partnership with TIES. Over the course of this school year, opportunities for educators and school districts to participate in this work will be provided.

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Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

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OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.