|
Special Education Update
April 2021
We are re-sending this email to correct the meeting links in the SEAC Meeting May 18 & 19 update item.
|
|
2021 Legislative Session
The House and Senate budgets were released, public testimony was given, and the two-chamber budget conference begins this week. OSPI Special Education was happy to see all our budget requests (IPP Extension, Additional Family Liaison, Recovery Transition Services) were in one or both budgets.
If you have questions about how to advocate for a bill or budget proviso or any other legislative wonderings, please contact David Green.
Phasing Out Severe Discrepancy for SLD Identification
In spring 2019, OSPI began exploring the topic of a severe discrepancy method phaseout. A cadre of stakeholders was formed and tasked with developing a report with recommendations, including a proposed method for specific learning disability (SLD) identification, proposed rule changes to the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and a timeline for phaseout of the discrepancy method. Following external stakeholder input, the report, Specific Learning Disabilities: Recommendations for Evaluation Policy and Practice, was revised and finalized spring 2021. A multi-year transition and implementation timeline for phasing out severe discrepancy for identification of a SLD by 2028 is also accessible. The next phases of this work will include input from partners across education to explore necessary conditions and resources needed for implementation, along with WAC revisions and guidance development. For additional information regarding this initiative, please email the Special Education Division.
Supplemental Comment Period on Proposed Revisions to Chapter 392-172A WAC to Open Later this Month
The OSPI Special Education division will begin accepting public comments on supplemental changes to proposed revisions to Chapter 392-172A beginning in late April through the month of May. OSPI will also hold one public hearing on the supplemental changes on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 1pm. Links to register for the public hearing and to the text of the supplemental rule changes are forthcoming and will be included in the May update as well as on the OSPI Rulemaking Activity website.
Measuring Parent Engagement (Indicator B-8)
All states are required to gather information on parent engagement as part of special education performance indicator B-8. Indicator B-8 measures the degree to which parents with a child receiving special education services report that schools facilitated parent involvement as a means of improving services and results for children with disabilities.
For more than 10 years, OSPI has used a survey developed by the National Center for Special Education Accountability Monitoring to gather this information from parents. Given the feedback we have received from parents and district staff over the years and knowing that a new state performance plan cycle will be starting soon, OSPI will be engaging with partners to review and redesign the state’s parent engagement survey tool and process. If you have any questions about the parent survey redesign, please contact Jennifer Story.
Excess Cost and MOE Important Reminders
- To access your 2019–20 carryover funds, budget revisions must be submitted as soon as possible. The 2019–20 carryover must be spent by August 31, 2021.
- Excess Costs reports were due February 26, 2021. If you have not already submitted your report, please submit as soon as possible.
- MOE compliance for SY 2019–20 is being finalized.
Safety Net Updates and Reminders
During the March 12th submission deadline OSPI received 3,154 applications totaling $89,886,863
The Transportation Cost Calculator is now available on the Safety Net website.
Community Impact and Updates to High Need Individual Applications are due May 14. The conditional award meeting is scheduled for June 16–17. To observe the process, applicants may attend the State Oversight Committee meeting via Zoom June 17.
SEAC Meeting May 18 & 19
The Washington state Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) will be conducting their final meeting of the 2020–21 school year on May 18-19, 8:30am–1pm. The meeting is open to members of the public who have an interest in Washington special education services.
To participate, you must register in advance for each meeting. Here are the links to registration: May 18 from 8:30am to 1pm and May 19 from 8:30am to 1pm. During registration, you may request an interpreter, please signify the language (ASL, Spanish, etc.). We will try our best to accommodate. Registration will close on Thursday, May 13, three business days prior to the meeting. Public comment will be heard at noon on May 18 and you will be allowed to participate via the Q&A box. If you would rather email your comments, send to OSPI Special Education email address with “SEAC public comment” in the subject line and it will be read during the designated time. If you email your public comment, it must be received no later than Friday, May 14. Any comments received after the deadline will be read at the next scheduled SEAC meeting in August 2021.
SEAC Community Forum – Defining Inclusion
The SEAC Community Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18 beginning at 5:30pm. The public will have the opportunity to meet with SEAC members and have a robust discussion about defining inclusion. You must register in advance to participate in the forum. Here is the link to the registration: May 18 from 5:30-7pm. During the registration, you will be able to request an interpreter, if needed. We will try our best to accommodate. Registration will close at close of business Thursday, May 13, three business days prior to the meeting.
|
Special Education Planning Tips for Summer 2021
The purpose of this resource is to support administrators, educators, families, students, and other school partners with planning for transition into summer 2021 and next school year. As a result of the pandemic, all students across Washington state have experienced unprecedented interruption to in-person learning. To support schools with continued planning of activities and supports specific to students with disabilities over the summer months, key points and considerations include evaluations and eligibility, recovery services, summer school and extended school year (ESY), fiscal and data, and dispute resolution. Also, on April 9, 2021, the US Department of Education the COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs to provide additional strategies for safely reopening all of America's schools and to promote educational equity by addressing opportunity gaps that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, including considerations for serving students with disabilities.
Special Education COVID Q&A - Updated
|
The State Office of the Early Support for Infants and Toddler Programs (ESIT) have updated the ESIT Web School District Portal. School district users are now able to see all children who are at least 2 years and 3 months old and residing in their district that are receiving Part C services and the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) Team has determined that the child is potentially eligible for IDEA Part B services.
|
Upcoming Conferences & Professional Development Opportunities
|
|
|
State Needs Project Highlight
Washington Sensory Disabilities Services / Deaf-Blind Project
Path to Intervener Training: Does your district have a paraeducator or “intervener” working with a student who is deafblind? What informal or formal training have they received? In addition to participating in online training for clock hours hosted by the WSDS Deaf-Blind Project, paraeducators can now earn an undergraduate certificate in this field, which can lead to a national credential.
Scholarship Opportunity
WSDS is offering scholarships for the DeafBlind Intervener Program at Central Michigan University (CMU). The WSDS scholarship application is online and due by May 4, 2021.
WSDS Scholarship Application page.
Contact Us
Katie Humes, Director| Deaf-Blind Project |360-947-3295
|
News from Assessment and Student Information
Check out updates from the Assessment and Student Information Division. Topics include:
News from Graduation
Check out updates about graduation. Topics include:
- SBE Adopts Emergency Waiver Program, Allowing Waiver of Certain Highschool Graduations Requirements for the Class of 2021 Due to COVID-19
- WA Graduation Pathway Options District Survey
DDA Value Based Payment Project: Job Foundation - Updated
Job Foundation is a cross-agency, multi-year pilot to connect students with disabilities who are eligible for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) with employment providers. This project engages students ages 19 to 20 in targeted employment planning. These connections support partnerships and collaboration between employment providers, students and families, and school staff to develop a student-centered Job Foundation report. The project goal is to increase the number of students exiting the school system with a job or a connection to post-secondary education. We have developed a Job Foundation Information Brief for school partners, along with a 10-minute overview video and slides with project information for school partners. For additional information about Job Foundation and to see if the program is available in your county, visit the DDA County Best Practices webpage and scroll to the section titled Value Based Payment Project.
King County 2021 School-to-Work Virtual Transition Fairs
The 14th annual King County School-to Work Transition Fair is a sponsored virtual event by the King County Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports Division (DDECSD) to provide information and resources for students with disabilities and their families.
-
Wednesday, April 7th 6:00 – 7:30pm King County School-to-Work Program
-
Monday, April 12th 1:00 – 2:00pm DVR Transition Services and School-to-Work
-
Tuesday, April 13th 1:00 – 2:00pm DDA Eligibility and Services
-
Tuesday, April 20th 9:30 – 1pm Exhibitor Events
-
Wednesday, April 21st 3:00 – 4:30pm King County School-to-Work Program
-
Tuesday, April 27th 1:00 – 2:00pm DVR Transition Services and School-to-Work
-
Wednesday, April 28th 9:00 – 10:00am DDA Eligibility and Services
-
Saturday, May 1st 9:30 – 1pm Exhibitor Events
|
|
|
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.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
