Legislative Updates
The last day of the legislative session, Sine Die, was April 27th. Legislators passed budget bills as well as other bills impacting special education, and these bills have been delivered to the governor. Governor Ferguson has 20 days to sign each of these bills, which may include full or partial vetoes. The bill summaries in this update reflect the bills as passed legislation.
Section 509 of the state operating budget, ESSB 5167, outlines appropriations for special education programs, including appropriations to implement SSB 5253 and E2SSB 5263 as described below. Total state appropriations for 2026 reflect an 18% increase in state investment in special education programs. We applaud the legislature’s progress towards fully funding special education services.
SSB 5253 extends special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22 years of age. This bill takes effect 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which means districts must implement beginning in the 2025–26 school year.
The special education funding bill, E2SSB 5263, creates a single K–12 multiplier of 1.16 and removes the enrollment cap. The ESIT multiplier for children ages birth to three is increased to match the PreK multiplier of 1.2, which remains unchanged. The bill allows OSPI to set aside 0.6% of funds for statewide activities, including providing technical assistance to school districts with disproportionate data, developing and maintaining a statewide online IEP system, and providing professional development in inclusionary practices. Section 4 of E2SSB 5263 directs OSPI to award grants to 20 pilot schools as centers of excellence for inclusionary practices. Funding for this purpose is included in Section 501 of the state operating budget bill (ESSB 5167). E2SSB 5263 also reduces the threshold to access safety net and includes quarterly safety net payments to qualifying districts. Section 7 of E2SSB 5263 standardizes the 3121 accounting methodology by requiring LEAs to shift 25 percent of the district’s base allocation to the district’s special education program. Additionally, districts must use basic education funds prior to using other funding sources for special education services.
LEAs can use the Multi-year Budget Comparison Tool on the Budget Preparations site to project funding. Additional guidance will be made available after bills are signed into law.
If you have questions about anything legislature-related, please contact OSPI Special Education with the subject line "Legislative Session".
Integrated MTSS Conference
July 30–August 1, 2025 | Wenatchee, WA
Join us in Wenatchee, WA, from July 30th to August 1st, for a highly engaging experience with colleagues around the state leading implementation supported by MTSS. Our theme this year is Innovate, Include, Inspire: Transforming Whole Child Education. You can come expecting keynotes and over 40 different breakout sessions aligned with our theme and subtheme:
Innovate: Reimagining MTSS for Today's Schools
- Creative problem-solving in tiered interventions
- Leveraging technology to enhance student support
- Integrating MTSS to meet evolving student needs
Include: Building Equitable Systems for Every Learner
- Addressing disproportionality in student outcomes
- Strengthening inclusion in academic and behavioral supports
- Enhancing family and community partnerships in MTSS
Inspire: Leading MTSS with Purpose and Passion
- Supporting staff to sustain MTSS implementation
- Developing a culture of collaboration and shared leadership
- Celebrating success stories in student growth
To learn more, visit the 2025 Integrated MTSS Conference website.
The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Meeting May 20–21, 2025 (virtual)
The Washington state Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) will conduct a virtual meeting on May 20–21, from 8:30 am–1 pm. The meeting is open to members of the public who are interested in Washington special education services. The agenda will be posted the week prior to the meeting. Registration is required for the SEAC two-day virtual meeting. During registration, you can request interpreters and other ADA accommodations if needed. Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Somali, and American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters will be provided. The deadline for requesting other languages is the close of business on May 12. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Captioning will be provided during the SEAC meeting.
Please note that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does not require OSPI to take any action that would fundamentally alter the nature of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden.
Public Comment will begin at 11:30 am on Tuesday, May 20. Public Comment is scheduled for 30 minutes. Each public comment will be restricted to three minutes and only allowed during this designated timeframe. If you want to email your comment to be read at the meeting, please send it to the SEAC email address no later than the close of business on May 12, 2025. The agenda will move forward to the next item once interested parties have had a chance to comment. The Special Education Advisory Council is not required to respond to comments and generally does not.
The Community Forum will take place virtually on May 20, 2025, from 5:30–7 pm. A separate registration will be required for the virtual community forum.
Comprehensive Inclusive Education Webinar for
Principals
May 16, 2025 | 12:30pm–1:30pm | Virtual
Principals are invited to join the upcoming webinar, co-hosted by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), “Comprehensive Inclusive Education in Washington: Crafting and Implementing an Inclusive IEP,” to learn about OSPI’s new online resource, Comprehensive Inclusive Education in Washington. This resource supports school leaders, educators, and families to work together in a four-step process to create and implement well-designed, ambitious, and inclusive IEPs. The webinar will support principals to engage in transformative leadership to include all students with disabilities in general education settings and includes perspectives from a school principal implementing inclusive practices. The webinar will be offered on May 16 from 12:30–1:30pm, with optional time for additional questions and answers until 1:45pm. To register, visit the AWSP Learning Lab. If you don’t already have an account for the AWSP Learning Lab, you can create one for free on the AWSP website.
(Repeat) Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Annual Renewal Application Form Due June 30th
The Nonpublic Agency (NPA) Annual Renewal Application for 2025 is now available on the OSPI NPA webpage. All schools/facilities currently on the authorized NPA list should complete this annual renewal application form by June 30th. As a reminder, at least one public school district with a student placed at an authorized NPA will be expected to complete an annual onsite visit and submit a report of that visit to OSPI. A fillable Annual NPA Onsite Visit Report form is also now available on the OSPI NPA webpage for use by school districts. Any school district with a current placement at an NPA can complete the annual onsite visit for 2025. Please contact Scott Raub at OSPI directly at npas@k12.wa.us with questions or for additional information.
Welcome Loraine Reda, Special Education Executive Assistant
What were you doing prior to joining OSPI?
Before coming to OSPI, I worked for the Clover Park School District for 15 years. I was the Registrar at Clover Park High School for the past nine years. Prior to that I was the Director's Secretary for Student Nutrition for six years.
What excites you the most about joining the team?
I am excited to get to know everyone on the team and do what I can to support the important work the team does for the Special Education community.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my spare time I like to grow dahlias, watch hummingbirds and I make handmade cards.
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National Mental Health Awareness Month
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness, fight stigma, and promote support for the millions of people affected by mental health conditions. It is a reminder that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. This month encourages open conversations, access to resources, and compassion for ourselves and others. For resources and more information, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
National Teacher Appreciation Week
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5–9, 2025. This month, we proudly celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week — a time to recognize the incredible dedication, expertise, and innovation that educators bring to their work every day. Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future by empowering students to reach their full potential. Honoring educators is not just about recognizing individual contributions; it is about lifting up the collective impact of educators working together in partnership across classrooms, schools, and communities. When general and special educators collaborate, they create inclusive, supportive environments where all students can succeed. Thank you to all our teachers for the transformative difference you make in the lives of students and families across Washington state!
Click here for this month's Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- New Special Education Parent Survey – Statewide Implementation Starting in 2025–26
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
- Upcoming Changes to the Annual IDEA Determinations and the Correction of Non-Compliance (EGMS Form Package 442) – Repeat
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- FP 267 Carryover
- Data Reporting for Students with IEPs: End of Year Federal Special Education Data Reporting
- Secondary IEP Transition Components (Indicator B-13) Data Application (NEW COMPLIANCE REPORTING REQUIREMENT) – Repeat
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- UW Haring Center Demonstration Site Visits
- International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute
- Think Inclusive Podcast: Introducing ECTA - How to Make High-Quality Systems that Support Young Learners with Disabilities
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