|
Special Education Update
May 2022
|
|
|
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year, our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) are focused on the message “Together for Mental Health.” A growing number of individuals are experiencing mental health support needs, including our students with disabilities. All students should access mental health supports as part of a larger multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) and, when necessary, students with disabilities receive additional, individualized supports through the IEP process.
Here are a few partner resources available to support students, families, and teams with accessing mental health supports:
Special Education Staffing Updates
We have some staffing updates to share regarding the OSPI Special Education leadership team! Dr. Tania May has been appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, and Cyndie Hargrave has been appointed as Director of Operations for Special Education. We are currently in the process of recruiting for Executive Director of Special Education.
We are also excited to welcome Connor McCroskey, the newest member of our Special Education Program Improvement Team! Connor is a Program Supervisor and will be serving as our division liaison to our Educational Staff Associate (ESA) partners. His experiences include Special Education leadership, ESA supervision, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) practices. Connor can be reached by email.
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Virtual Meeting
When: May 24–25, 2022, 8:30 am–3 pm
Disproportionality and Significant Disproportionality Notifications
In consultation with the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR), starting in 2022–23, OSPI will be issuing formal disproportionality and significant disproportionality notifications annually in early fall (late August/early September), rather than in May. This change is being made in order to provide districts designated as having significant disproportionality with more flexibility in determining which year’s allocation to use when applying the 15% required set-aside for Comprehensive, Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS).
To accommodate this change in the formal notification process, the Disproportionality Workbook, which is required to be completed by all districts designated as having disproportionality or significant disproportionality, will no longer be part of the district’s IDEA Federal Fund Application (iGrants Form Package 267). Instead, it will be due by May 1, 2023 in order to allow districts time to conduct the required root cause analysis and develop the plan for addressing the disproportionality.
If you have any questions about disproportionality or significant disproportionality designations or notifications, please contact Jennifer Story, Program Improvement Coordinator.
Every Minute Counts!
Every Minute Counts: Calculating IEP Services to Improve Student Outcomes is a partnership between members of the Institute for Innovation in Development, Engagement, and Learning Systems (IDEALS) at the Johns Hopkins School of Education and the Special Education Division at OSPI. The objective is to identify current practices related to IEP development and determine best practices for calculating the amount and type of special education and related services contained in students’ IEPs.
As part of this project, focus groups will be conducted with three key partner groups: (a) Directors of Special Education from local school districts in Washington state, (b) representatives from teacher preparation programs, and (c) preservice and in-service special educators. Each of these focus groups will consist of approximately 12 to 15 participants who will be asked open-ended questions related to their professional experiences and current practices associated with IEP development.
If you are interested in participating, please complete the focus group screening questionnaire. If you have any questions about the project or the focus groups, please contact Jennifer Kouo.
Special Education State Design Team Updates
Join OSPI Special Education on Thursday, June 9 from 3:30–4:30 pm for a round-up and celebration of our partnerships in the State Design Team! This is an opportunity to thank our students, families, and partners in education for their dedication and input as part of the State Design Team efforts. We will also connect with participants about the work of the State Design Team moving forward into 2022–23. Register in advance for the meeting.
Read more updates on the important work of the OSPI Special Education State Design Team!
|
2022 Post School Survey (2020–21 Leaver Year) Center for Change in Transition Services (CCTS) Update
Important Survey Dates
- Late May, 2022: Leaver Survey Lists available for review
- June 1, 2022: Post-School Survey opens
- November 1, 2022: Post-School Survey closes, 11:59 p.m.
January–February, 2023: Post-school outcome reports/presentations published
Quarterly TSF2 User Meetings
In preparation for the 2022 Post-School Survey, CCTS invites you to join quarterly TSF2 User Meetings where we’ll share resources and best practices. TSF2 User Meetings are recorded, live captioned, and ASL-interpreted.
Updated 2022 Post-School Survey Training Modules
2022 Post-School Survey Training Modules are designed to support school districts in Washington state as they work to complete the annual Post-School Survey.
Demonstration Site Visits
Have you visited an Inclusionary Practices Demonstration Site? Currently there are eleven K–12 demonstration site schools and four preschool demonstration sites. These schools were selected because they serve as statewide exemplars, showcasing the benefits of inclusionary practices on student outcomes.
To schedule a visit to one of our 16 demonstration sites, please complete this visit request form.
|
Question: How Can Occupational and Physical Therapists Collaborate on Evaluation Practices and IEP Services in the School Setting?
|
|
|
 Learn about upcoming conferences and trainings!
 Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Application Due Date Reminder
Special Education Policy and Procedure Revisions – due 9/1/22
Districts must upload updated updated policy and procedure to 22–23 IDEA Federal Fund Application (FP 267, pg. 5)
WA-AIMS is Accepting Applicants for Cohort 3!
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Youth Leadership Forum
|
Graduation Requirement Emergency Waiver (GREW) 2022 Office Hours
- Tuesday, May 17 | 11am–12pm
- Wednesday, May 25 | 11:30am–12:30 pm
- Tuesday, May 31 | 1–2 pm
Register here!
OSPI Seeking Public Comment on Excused Absences for Mental Health
OSPI is proposing changes to its absence rules in support of the implementation of HB 1834 - Concerning student excused absences for mental health reasons. OSPI is seeking public comment on the proposed changes.
Read more about the proposed changes.
2021 Healthy Youth Survey Results Now Available
The results from the 2021 Healthy Youth Survey are now available. This student perspective survey allows students the ability to share their thoughts, feelings and behaviors pertaining to school experiences and personal life. Data can be viewed in a variety of ways. State, county, ESD, and regional data is publicly available on Healthy Youth Survey website. Check out OSPI’s Healthy Youth Survey webpage, to find questions broken down by topics, learn how to do a Question by Question analysis and other resources.
OSPI Open Educational Resources (OER) Project Grantee Showcase Webinar
Open Educational Resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials that are free to use, adapt, and share. In this webinar you will explore resources developed by OER Project grantees. Areas include coding for kids, health and fitness, integrated content, social emotional learning, social studies, and world languages. The webinar will discuss strategies for effective implementation and how to adapt resources to meet district needs. Discover the 2021–2022 OER Project grantee resources available for sharing and adaptation on the Washington OER Hub.
Webinar: Wednesday, May 25 from 3–4 pm, 1 clock hour provided. Register on pdEnroller.
Townhall on 2022 Legislation Affecting Employment and Transition Services for Students with Disabilities
Please join the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), OSPI, and Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at 10 am for a virtual townhall to hear updates and provide input on transition-related bills, including SSB 5790 (Transition Networks & Statewide Council and School To Work supports), HB 2008 (Discontinuing the use of IQ Scores for DDA eligibility), and HB1980 (Concurrent employment and community access services).
Register for the Townhall.
OSPI Learning Options Department
The Alternative Learning Department’s name has changed to Learning Options to better reflect the diverse programs the department serves. Learning Options provides support and publishes guidance for:
- Alternative Learning Experience
- Online Learning
- Mastery-based Learning
- Choice Transfer
- Home-based instruction
- Continuous Learning 2.0+
Learning Options collaborates with other departments within OSPI to provide guidance and support for the implementation of public education expectations in the context of these unique settings and delivery formats. Contact Learning Options by email or by phone at 360-725-6229 with questions.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
