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Special Education Update
December 2020
Welcome to the new format for the Special Education Update!
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Celebrating 45 Years of Special Education
OSPI and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) are pleased to join together to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Virtual Celebration
Join OSPI and DCYF on Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 3–4 pm for a virtual celebration of Washington state’s journey over the past 45 years of providing education, resources, supports and services to infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families.
Now OPEN: Public Comment Period for Special Education Rule Making
Two Public Hearings Scheduled for January 2021
OSPI is now accepting public comments for proposed changes to rules related to Special Education. The rules are also known as the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
OSPI will also hold two public hearings during the public comment period in January 2021.
For more information about the proposed changes, public hearings, and comment period, review this informational handout.
New Staff Addition
We are pleased to announce the addition of a new staff member in the Special Education division. Julie Dean will become the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Inclusion Specialist and will support the PreK Inclusion Champions Initiatives, including WA Pyramid Model. Julie is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with extensive experience supporting students with disabilities and their families and educators with inclusive learning opportunities, MTSS implementation, and systems-level coaching. Please join us in welcoming her to our team! Contact Julie Dean.
New Model State Referral Form Now Available
A new model state form is now available on OSPI’s model state forms webpage. The Referral for Special Education Evaluation Form (#1a) will help parents, district staff, public agencies, or other individuals with information about a student to request a special education evaluation (also called a “special education referral”). This form is not required – any written request for evaluation is valid. Districts may follow up a verbal, email, or other written request with a request to complete this form, but may not require the referrer to complete the form prior to considering the student for evaluation. Translated versions of the form in the 11 most common languages in Washington are also available on the model form webpage. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Story.
Guidelines for Aligning HSBPs and IEP Transition Plans Resource - Updated
The Guidelines for Aligning High School and Beyond Plans (HSBPs) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Transition Plans has been updated to add the first sample case study! This case study, focused on a student of transition age with significant support needs, includes a complete HSBP, student work samples, and an IEP excerpt. Download the case study in Appendix B: Sample HSBPs and IEP Transition Plans.
AESD/OSPI Monthly Webinar Series: Inclusive IEPs for Our New World – Updated
We are all in this together! Join us on the second Thursday of each month from 3 to 4 pm to support inclusive practices for students with disabilities across school reopening models. Each month we will host guest presenters from the field to share strategies, innovations, and resources.
These monthly sessions will support special educators, general education partners, and system leaders by highlighting effective strategies for providing inclusive instruction. Planning and delivering inclusive instruction across reopening models is new and complex! These sessions will provide time for questions and answers so participants can apply the learning to their own local contexts. The series will be recorded and posted to our Monthly Webinars page. Click below for information and to register:
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2020 Washington State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Planning
The SSIP State Design Team (SDT) and the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) have recommended that the 2020 SSIP proposal offer technical assistance in the area of social-emotional development, with an emphasis on implementation of MTSS. This will offer a clear intersect between SEL and inclusionary practices to ensure strong foundations are laid for students, staff, and families for accessing high-quality, integrated early learning settings. We expect this focus on SEL will empower educational partners and offer more equitable access to learning and growth among our children and families farthest from educational justice.
OSPI is continuing implementation of the Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP) established by the legislature in the 2019 session. Every month, we'll provide updates about the project and opportunities for educators to engage with the work.
IPP Grant Funds
OSPI is still accepting applications from LEAs to become a pilot or expand their scope of work. If you would like more information about what it means to apply or expand, please see the links below. David Green is also available to answer any IPP questions.
Inclusionary Practices Handbook
OSPI has worked with an incredible group of educational partners to develop the first launch of their Inclusionary Practices Handbook and the introduction and chapter 1 are available now. Additional sections will be added as they are completed throughout the year. The purpose of the handbook is to provide practical guidance for teachers, schools, districts, and families on inclusionary practices in Washington state. The introduction includes the foundations of policy and research that support inclusion in the least restrictive environment for students with disabilities. Subsequent sections will provide specific guidance on strategies for implementing inclusionary practices in preschool through transition age.
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COVID-19 Resources
Important Topics from November 2020 Update
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ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
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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