Black History Month
February is Black History Month. As we celebrate Black History Month it is important to remember this month, and every month of every year, the contributions of Black individuals with disabilities. The Disability Rights Movement was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and several Black leaders played a critical role in both movements. To name a few of these leaders, we pay tribute to Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist with multiple disabilities who was a pivotal figure in the fight for Black enfranchisement, women’s rights, and civil rights. We remember Lois Curtis, a Black disability activist and artist best known for her role in the Olmstead vs L.C. Supreme Court Case establishing the independent living rights for people with disabilities. We celebrate the legacy of Donald Galloway, a steadfast advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and for the inclusion of people of color in the disability rights movement.
We must continue to recognize and address the intersectionality of lived experience for Black students with disabilities. This population continues to experience disproportionate impacts for special education identification, as well as segregated placements, disciplinary removals, and restraint and isolation. We have a long way to go to ensure that Black students and students with disabilities receive equitable educational opportunities.
As we work to ensure that all students feel like true members of their school, students should know for certain that they belong. This leads us to ask the question about how Black students with disabilities are positioned in our structured narrative of schooling? What story do we want to live in? What story do we want to tell? Black History Month is one opportunity for us to examine the inequitable systems that exist and to disrupt those systems to make sure our schools are places where we recognize that, in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”
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Legislative Session Update
No more new bills are allowed to be introduced this year, and in fact, any bills that did not make it out of a policy committee by February 1 are no longer eligible to move forward in the bill vetting process. Bills that did make it out of a policy committee are now being scheduled for action in fiscal and transportation committees, as well as votes on chamber floors.
Please see the cutoff calendar for upcoming bill cutoff dates. If you review the Special Education Bill Tracker, you will see many bills have been grayed out to indicate that those bills are stalled for the remainder of the session.
If you have questions about bills or the legislative session, please contact David Green.
To better understand the state of special education funding, OSPI’s communications team sat down with Tania May, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education to discuss the meaning of special education and how inclusive practices support student’s rights to equal access and opportunity.
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Department of Education: Assistive Technology Under the IDEA
In January, the Department of Education provided essential guidance on assistive technology (AT) devices and services through a Dear Colleague letter and a document addressing "Myths and Facts Surrounding AT Devices and Services." Washington State, renowned for its leadership in AT, is actively supporting educators and students in ways that dispel the myths highlighted in this recent guidance. Here are noteworthy highlights of the ongoing initiatives and resources available in Washington State:
AT Integration in State Testing
- Washington has succeeded in integrating AT into state testing, featuring text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and word prediction, as well as other accessible technology features, such as language support and visual masking. Learn more on February 14th as SETC and OSPI delve into AT Accommodations on State Testing- 2024 Updates and Panel Discussion.
Statewide AT Lending Libraries
- Washington State has three libraries specifically to support technology trials with students and educator professional development.
Technical Assistance (TA) focused on Assistive Technology (AT)
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The Special Education Technology Center (SETC) provides TA focused on AT and AAC devices and services, as well as processes to build the capacity of IEP teams to consider, assess, and implement AT.
- Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) Access Outreach Services provides TA specific to AT required for low vision or blind learners to access and express learning.
Professional Development focused on Assistive Technology through IPTN Partners
As part of the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN), the Special Education Technology Center (SETC), Washington Education Association (WEA), Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS), and eLearning for Educators all offer professional development that highlights assistive technology, accessible technology, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). eLearning for Educators will be releasing a new course in April – AT in the Schools. Register for upcoming events on the Special Education Technology Center Webinar Page.
Special Education Division Team Member Spotlight: Kelly Saavedra, Program Specialist
What are your favorite things about the work you do at OSPI?
I’ve always wanted to work in a field where I can make a difference, and I feel that working at OSPI provides me with the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of students and families with diverse learning needs. I love that we strive for more inclusive policies in education and our efforts can lead to positive change where every student has the chance to thrive and feel like they belong. I also really enjoy working with my coworkers in the Special Education division. The kindness and passion of everyone in the division creates a workplace that feels like a community where everyone is committed to making a difference.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I love traveling and exploring new places when I’m not working, whether that means it’s 3,000+ miles away or 10 miles away. I lived in Germany for three years and that experience sparked a huge passion for travel within me which has led to many solo trips across Europe and the United States. Some of my favorite things to do during the summer months are long road trips, camping, kayaking, and hiking. I’m also a huge fan of trivia nights and belting out tunes at karaoke.
What is something that keeps you motivated or inspired working in special education?
What keeps me motivated is knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of children and their families. When data reflects our efforts moving in the right direction, it’s proof that we are on the correct path. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the positive change and impact we are making in special education.
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The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Meeting February 27–28, 2024
The Washington State Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) will be conducting a virtual meeting February 27–28, 2024. The meeting will be called to order at 8:30 am and will adjourn at 1:30 pm on both days. The meeting is open to members of the public who have an interest in Washington special education services. More information about the meeting can be found on the SEAC webpage. The agenda will be posted two weeks prior to the meeting. The SEAC two-day meeting link is here. Registration is not required.
Public Comment will begin at 11:30 am on Tuesday, February 27. It is scheduled to last 30 minutes. Comments will only be allowed during this designated timeframe. If you would like to email your public comment to be read at the meeting, please send to the SEAC email address no later than close of business on February 23.
The SEAC Community Forum (Virtual only)
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 5:30–7 pm
Required registration for the community forum is here!
The SEAC, in partnership with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), is hosting a virtual community forum to share about the role of the SEAC and host a discussion about inclusionary practices in early learning and post-secondary transition services! During registration, you will be given the opportunity to choose from a list of areas that you are most interested. And you will be given the opportunity to request an interpreter if needed. Join us!
SAVE THE DATE: May 21–22, 2024 – The SEAC meeting will be in person in Walla Walla, Washington. It will also be offered virtually. More information will be posted closer to the date on the SEAC website.
Secondary Transition Components Pilot Project Kick-Off Celebration Announcement
We would like to express a deep and heartfelt thank you to each district participating in the Secondary Transition Components Pilot Project! This effort will establish a data share agreement to provide to transition partner agencies an annual list of students with disabilities preparing to transition out of the school system, about three years before their exit date. A total of 36 school districts have volunteered for the pilot, representing a diversity of sizes and locations across all 9 educational service districts (ESDs). This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in creating positive and transformative experiences for a student's post-secondary journey.
As a reminder, any district can choose to begin the work over the 2023–24 school year by recording the receipt of consent using the Consent Form to Share Student Information with State Transition Agencies in the Secondary IEP Transition Platform in Education Data Systems (EDS). This will be a required annual activity for all districts beginning next school year, in 2024–25.
Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- WISM Office Hours will be combined with Data/Fiscal Office hours starting in February.
- IDEA Correction of Non-Compliance Workbook – due March 1st.
Click here for this month’s Fiscal and Data updates on the following topics:
- Notice of Public Comment Period for Annual State IDEA Application
- Excess Cost Report – due February 29th
- Safety Net Updates – regular office hours available; upcoming spotlight on applications involving nonpublic agencies (NPAs) on Thursday, February 15th
- Special Education Non-Profit Private School Proportionate Share Expenditures
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
- Secondary Transition IEP (Indicator B-13) Data Application Reminder
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- Update: Indicators for High Quality Inclusion Re-released
- Think Inclusive Podcast
- Childhood Outcomes Instrument Crosswalks
- ECSE Inclusion Champions Resource Corner
- Bringing Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Teaching Practices to Pre-K and Kindergarten Classrooms
Click here for this month’s Dispute Resolution updates on:
- CADRE Dispute Resolution Data
If a student eligible for special education choice transfers into a nonresident district, is the new district required to provide transportation?
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