Meet TaReesa Saunders!
TaRessa joined the OSPI Special Education division as an additional Family & Community Liaison.
Learn more about TaReesa!
Special Education Monitoring Update
As described in Bulletin 048-21, a number of fiscal and program risk factors are utilized when determining which LEAs will participate in a Systems Analysis review. LEAs identified with high risk on these factors may be selected to participate in either a fiscal-only, program-only, or combination fiscal/program Systems Analysis review during the 2021–22 school year. Refer to the 2021–22 roster for a list of districts and charter schools selected to participate in a Systems Analysis review for 2021–22.
Fiscal Reviews
Fiscal reviews in 2021–22 will focus on the LEA's ability to implement fiscal procedures that ensure grant funds are used for authorized purposes in compliance with laws and regulations; have internal controls that ensure reliable financial reporting and accountability; and evaluate best practices.
Program Reviews
Program reviews will continue to focus on the provision of special education services, including recovery services; educational benefit and student outcomes; collection and reporting of IEP progress data; and the use of data for continuous improvement. Systems Analysis reviews will continue to be aligned and coordinated with Consolidated Program Review (CPR) reviews whenever feasible and in collaboration with LEA leadership.
If you have questions about the WISM process, please email the WISM team.
Applicability of Washington Vaccine Mandate to Nonpublic Agencies (NPAs)
Governor Inslee announced on August 18, 2021, a directive (Proclamation 21-14.1) requiring all employees working for public and private K–12 schools to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain a religious or medical exemption by October 18, 2021. The order applies directly to private schools and health facilities providing educational services with NPA status in the State of Washington who contract with public school districts. The Governor’s order, however, does not directly apply to out-of-state NPAs. OSPI, at this time, is also not requiring school districts to ensure that out-of-state NPAs have fully vaccinated staff as a condition of contracts for placement with an NPA. OSPI, on the other hand, does interpret the Governor’s proclamation as giving school district’s the option of asking for and/or requiring proof of vaccination from the out-of-state NPA as a “contractor” providing services to a student placed there as a condition of their contract. If the NPA is unable to comply, then the school district can consult with legal counsel about next steps and consider terminating the contract.
School districts are encouraged to review Proclamation 21-14.1 directly and email Scott Raub or call 360-725-6075/360-819-7277 with any questions about working with NPAs.
ESD Liaison Assignments
The Special Education Division at OSPI is pleased to announce the following ESD Liaison assignments for 2021–2022.
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Northeast Washington ESD 101
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Special Education Data and Fiscal Scheduled Office Hours via Zoom
To allow districts regular scheduled access to chat about current issues and ask questions, the Special Education Operations Team has scheduled office hours via zoom from 1–2:00 pm on Wednesdays beginning October 6, 2021.
Participants are encouraged to send questions or topics they wish to have addressed during the office hour in advance, although that is not required. Participants are welcome to ask questions or raise topics during the meeting. Questions or topics can be submitted to Specialeddata@k12.wa.us.
To access a meeting please use the link – Sandy Grummick’s Zoom Meeting Room.
2021–22 Annual Activities Calendar
The Guide for Annual Activities, Reports and Grant Packages 2021–2022 School Year has been posted to OSPI’s Special Education website. This Guide informs districts of important activities, reports, and grant packages and includes: (1) the name, description and the date action needs to be taken by the district/ESA, (2) whether the activity, report or grant is required or optional, and (3) a list of what areas are impacted. Please note that the Guide is not inclusive of all possible activities, reports, and grants throughout the school year. If you have any questions about the Guide, please contact the Special Education Office at 360-725-6075.
IDEA Compliance Package (iGrants Form Package 442/642)
The 2021–22 IDEA Compliance Package (iGrants Form Package 442/642) will be available in late September/early October in iGrants. Noncompliance identified through monitoring activities, safety net, district data submissions, due process decisions, and indicator performance during 2020–21 will be identified in this form package, and is required to be corrected by the local education agency (LEA)/educational service agency (ESA) as soon as possible, but no later than March 1, 2022 (see WAC 392-172A-07010(3)). If you have any questions about the Form Package 442/642, please contact our WISM team.
Invitation to Serve: 2021–22 Special Education State Design Team – Updated
Interested on serving on the Special Education State Design Team? Please let us know of your interest by completing the Invitation to Serve. The State Design Team kickoff meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 14th from 3:30 to 5:00 pm PT. If you haven’t already, please register for the kickoff Zoom meeting here.
Based on the information that participants provided in the Invitation to Serve, we have assigned participants to the seven focus area groups. Focus group members were notified of their selection on Tuesday, September 7th. Focus group facilitators will contact members by email after the September 14 kickoff meeting to provide more information about the focus group and to schedule the group’s initial meeting.
Invitation to Serve: SLD Discrepancy Phaseout
The Invitation to Serve on the Implementation and Transition workgroup closed June 30, 2021. Interested participants selected to serve on this workgroup were notified in July. The Implementation and Transition workgroup will support a deeper understanding of the needs and barriers of implementing a response to intervention (RTI) process for SLD evaluation and identification as the discrepancy model is phased out. The workgroup will also assist in the development of resources for Washington families, community members, educators, administrators, and school districts. The work of the Implementation and Transition Workgroup will begin October 2021. The initial meeting will be held October 14-15, 2021 via Zoom. If you are a special education director and would like to serve in this workgroup, please contact Liz Stewart at liz.stewart@k12.wa.us for more information.
Upcoming SEAC Meetings
Visit the SEAC website for the 2021-2022 schedule of SEAC Meetings.
Back to School Resources from OSEP
On August 2, 2021 the Department released the “Return to School Roadmap” which “provides key resources and supports for students, parents, educators, and school communities to build excitement around returning to classrooms this school year and outlines how federal funding can support the safe and sustained return to in-person learning.” As a part of the Roadmap rollout the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) released a letter to its state and local partners reiterating its commitment to ensuring children with disabilities and their families have successful early intervention and educational experiences in the 2021–2022 school year.
In addition, OSERS released the Q&As document on Child Find Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This Q&A is the first in series of guidance which reaffirms the importance of appropriate implementation of IDEA’s child find obligations, which requires the identification, location, and evaluation, of all children with disabilities in the states. An effective child find system is an ongoing part of each state’s responsibility to ensure that FAPE is made available to all eligible children with disabilities.
Special Education Staffing and Endorsement Options Update
There are now five special education endorsements options for staffing:
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Special Education
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Early Childhood Special Education
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Teacher of the Visually Impaired
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Deaf Education
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Deaf Education with ASL Proficiency
As a result of recent Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) policy changes, Deaf Education, Deaf Education with ASL proficiency and Teacher of the Visually Impaired endorsements are now considered to be special education endorsements and are thus considered to be fully qualified under special education regulations to be able to independently provide specially designed instruction (SDI) and to fulfill the duties of a special educator when appropriate.
OSPI Special Education is currently drafting guidance to assist districts in understanding the staffing options available to them under WAC 392-172A-02090 Personnel Qualifications with regard to each of the special education roles. Additionally, this guidance will be paired with an updated pre-endorsement waiver process and application that will be role specific. These resources are anticipated to be released in October 2021.
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Check out the latest updates from the Special Education Fiscal Team. Topics include:
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted issue trends in special education community complaints (SECCs). In 2020, 51 of the complaints filed had issues related to COVID. Complaints related to spring of 2020 almost exclusively had allegations related to IEP implementation and the provision of special education services. Moving into the 2020-2021 school year, COVID related complaints focused on requests for in-person services. Recent complaints have begun to include allegations related to requests for recovery services.
Tip: Even if the IEP team determines it needs to collect data or will discuss recovery services at the annual IEP meeting, do not ignore a parent’s request for recovery services. IEP team responses should be individualized based on a student’s need and the IEP team should document the response!
Supporting educators with technology tools for inclusive learning. Overview of SETC Services
- Making Learning Accessible, Inclusive, & Awesome for All
- September 30th, 9 am–3:30 pm
- $75
- X, Y, and Devices: Creating Inclusive Math with Technology
- September 29th, 3:30–5 pm
- FREE
This book study is offered from 3:30–4:30 pm on the following dates: September 22, October 13, November 10, December 8, January 12.
This book study is offered from 3:30–4:30 pm on the following dates: December 2, January 20, February 17, March 17.
This virtual PLC is offered from 3:30–4:30 pm on the following dates October 19, November 16, February 8, March 8, April 26.
SETC’s FREE Inclusive Math Series
These webinars are geared toward SLPs and AT Specialists who want to learn how to coach educators/therapists/parents who work with students using AAC. Topics include: AAC implementation, literacy for complex bodies, and communication for sensory seekers.
Successful switch access is often a game changer for our students with complex bodies. These webinars will cover types of switches and interfaces, switch access on the iPad, and using switches to access academics.
Modules focus on Deaf-Blind, Significant Support Needs
Washington Sensory Disabilities Services (WSDS) is pleased to offer online modules designed to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills related to intervention for students who are deaf-blind, including students with significant support needs. Open Hands, Open Access (OHOA) modules are free, self-paced, and offer clock hours - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Teams or individuals are encouraged to register:
- Paraeducators
- Interveners
- Teachers, TVIs and TODs
- OTs, PTs, SLPs
- Administrators responsible for paraeducator training for children with complex needs
- IEP teams of children with significant support needs
Modules being offered this fall:
- Welcome and Orientation – October 4 – 10
- An Overview of Deaf-Blindness and Instructional Strategies (Module 1) – October 4 -24
- The Sensory System, the Brain, and Learning (Module 2) – October 25 – November 14
- The Role of Interveners in Educational Settings (Module 3) – November 15 – December 5
- Availability for Learning (Module 5) – October 25 – November 14
- Concept Development and Active Learning (Module 10) – November 15 – December 5
*Each module runs for approximately 3 weeks and is available 24/7 during the listed dates.
To request child-specific consultation re: students who are deafblind, see the “request support” button on the WSDS website.
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