Happy New Year from the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) Team!
We closed out 2025 with continued efforts to streamline, restructure, and improve FLO opportunities. As we head into 2026, we are looking forward to bringing back regular monthly newsletters to share relevant information and updates.
Get Involved! FLO PLC Learning Opportunity
As we get ready to knock 2026 out of the park, we would like to incorporate partner feedback into the restructuring of our processes to better serve our districts and students. Please consider joining our FLO Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings. These meetings are intended to gather feedback from educators and leaders who have experience across all types of FLO programs (ALE, online, and Open Doors). If you have this experience and are willing to share ways to improve our systems, please fill out our FLO PLC survey. Meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month from 4 pm–5 pm.
Get Ready for WALA’s Spring Conference!
Alternative learning educators, this is your chance to connect, learn, and grow! Join us for an event packed with sessions on the topics that matter most to you: Alternative Learning Experience (ALE), online education, Open Doors Youth Reengagement, and so much more. Whether you’re looking for fresh strategies, compliance updates, or innovative practices, you’ll find it here. Register today and delve further into alternative education!
More information and a link to register can be found on the WALA Spring Conference 2026 webpage.
Initial Adoption Phase for K–12 Learning Standards for Mathematics
School districts and teachers can begin using the revised mathematics learning standards. The initial adoption phase is meant to give practitioners the opportunity to “try out” the revised standards and give the OSPI teaching and learning team actionable feedback. Feedback will be collected from December 4, 2025 to February 13, 2026. Please review OSPI Bulletin No. 057-25 for more information.
Instructional Policy Reminder
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, RCW 28A.320.168 requires sex trafficking awareness and prevention instruction be provided to all students at least once between grades 7 and 12. OSPI has published a bulletin and a sex trafficking prevention instruction guidance document to assist districts in meeting this new legislative requirement. Open Educational Resources (OER) instructional materials are being reviewed and will be posted on the Washington OER Hub.
School staff are also invited to participate in a professional development webinar to learn more about the Youth-centered Environmental Shift (YES!) program.
Final Changes to Online Learning Approval Process
Based on feedback received (October 1–31, 2025), final changes to the online learning application and approval process have been posted on the Online School Program Application webpage. The webpage has also been updated to align with the new application process. These changes align with our department goals to streamline the application and approval process and improve the webpage experience. Expect continued improvements in the coming months as we consider partner feedback, refine our processes. Your patience throughout these changes has been much appreciated!
School Board Policy & Reporting
Is your board policy up to date? When was your most recent annual report to the board? Under WAC 392-550-045, school district board of directors and charter school boards that claim state funding for Alternative Learning Experiences (ALE) are expected to adopt and annually review written policies authorizing ALE. These policies should identify each ALE program and designate a staff member responsible for ALE oversight. In addition, at least one report each year should be provided to the board on ALE program compliance and implementation.
We recognize that policy review cycles and reporting practices vary locally, and this reminder is intended to support awareness and planning. Routine review and reporting help promote shared understanding, transparency, and alignment with state ALE requirements.
ALE Educators
Whether you are new or just need a refresher on where to find information, these resources are for you!
2025–26 Basic Education Funding Rates for ALE
The funding rate used for Alternative Learning Experience courses is based on the 2025–26 Running Start rate:
- Nonvocational: $10,291.15
- Vocational: $11,156.93 (only for Open Doors college courses > 100 level only)
High School and Beyond Plan Support for FLO Students
Have questions? Need real-time support? Drop in anytime from 2:30 pm–3:30 pm for open office hours every Monday (except holidays) with OSPI's HSBP team. No registration is needed. Simply drop in with your questions or ideas. Find the Zoom Link to the OSPI HSBP Office Hours here.
FAFSA Completion
According to a recent Seattle Times article, Washington has one of the country’s most generous college financial aid programs, yet lags behind almost every other state in getting students to apply.
This fall, just before the Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened, Governor Ferguson issued an executive order aimed at boosting the number of high school seniors in Washington who fill out the form. High school seniors and others can now apply for financial aid for the 2026–27 academic year. Applying for financial aid is a crucial first step toward college and career training.
Teen Sexual Health Service Access
The WA Health Care Authority's Family Planning Only (FPO) provides coverage to individuals for family planning services. Those eligible are:
- Uninsured and in need of family planning services,
- Insured and a victim of intimate partner violence, or
- Age 26 or younger seeking confidential family planning services.
Services covered include family planning education, all FDA approved contraceptive methods (including over-the-counter methods), infection screens, HPV and Hep B vaccinations, and more. People covered by FPO are eligible to seek services through any Apple Health provider who offers family planning services, which may include school-based health centers. The HCA Find-a-Provider Tool can be used to identify Apple Health providers.
College and Vocational Assistance for Students in Foster Care
Do you know students experiencing foster care who are planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical, vocational, or dual credit high school program? The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program offers financial aid to eligible youth for educational and living expenses.
Applications for 2026-2027 are now open. Please share ETV information with building staff who support dependent youth. To meet the priority deadline, students must apply by April 30, 2026. Applications received after April 30 will be added to a wait list and awarded as funds are available.
To learn more about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the 2026–2027 school year, please visit the ETV webpage or email ETVWash@dcyf.wa.gov with questions.
Supporting Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
Washington State’s Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operates the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program, which provides care for children and youth who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or guardian.
To further strengthen support for these students, Switchboard has released a new interactive resource designed for educators, advisors, and anyone working closely with URMs. This accessible guide is ideal for those new to the topic and offers practical strategies for deepening understanding and enhancing support. Explore the resource and share with colleagues who may benefit!
Statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) Update
In Open Doors, the percentage of students who receive specially designed instruction has varied from 13%–18% over the last 8 years. Also worth noting is that among the 2017 cohort, students receiving special education earned more diplomas in Open Doors than those who did not receive special education.
With increasing age limits and ongoing continuous improvement efforts related to special education, the number of students who are identified or receive services is expected to remain high or grow.
OSPI is moving forward with the development of a statewide IEP system. This work is designed to create a unified, student-centered, and results-driven platform that:
- Ensures meaningful access to grade-level standards,
- Strengthens instructional practices,
- Improves compliance with federal and state requirements, and
- Increases family transparency and engagement.
The statewide IEP system also supports Washington’s broader educational priorities, including the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN), whole child education, Mult-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and data-driven continuous improvement.
Implementation Schedule
- Pre-Implementation (Years 0–2): Groundwork, planning, and preparation for rollout (current phase).
- Implementation (Years 3–5): Phased rollout of the new IEP system across districts.
- Continuous Improvement & Sustainability (Year 6+): System refinements, evaluation of student outcomes, and long-term adaptability.
If you have questions or would like to connect about the statewide IEP system, please reach out to statewideIEP@k12.wa.us.
Bulletin 034-25
Summary: The 2025 Washington State Legislative Session passed several new bills, budget provisos, and requirements for school districts. OSPI has compiled and published a summary of new K–12 bills and budget items that have been signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson. OSPI has also compiled a list of requirements for school districts that are either new as a result of legislation passed this legislative session, or requirements from previous legislative sessions that are going into effect this school year or next.
2026 Legislative Session Updates
- The 2026 legislative session is underway! OSPI Learning Options is closely monitoring a variety of bills, including those linked below.
More information about the 2026 legislative session including committee schedules and hearing agendas can be found on the Washington State Legislature website.
Open Doors Programs Make Positive Impacts Across Washington
Check out Highline Public Schools' fresh website and inspiring video, featuring Open Doors students and staff. It’s a great example of what’s possible!
Discover how the TC Futures van is driving opportunity across their community! This video shows their recent milestone that connects youth to education, careers, and support—bringing futures within reach, wherever youth are.
Discover What Happened When We Tried Something Bold for Summer
What happens when schools rethink how to reengage youth after incarceration or detention? The Open Doors Summer Pilot explored new strategies, and the results are fascinating. From unexpected trends to meaningful insights, this report is packed with data that tells a powerful story about opportunity and impact.
This is just one of four reports from the pilot project, each offering a unique lens on how we can better serve students. Curious about what worked, what surprised us, and what’s next? Read the Reengaging Post Resident Youth Summer Pilot evaluation report, now posted on the Open Doors Reports webpage.
Has your program put out a video or been featured in media? Send a link to opendoors@k12.wa.us.
Contact Us!
For more information about Learning Options, please contact us at learningoptions@k12.wa.us, or visit the OSPI Learning Alternatives website.
For specific questions, contact us by email:
Director: Lindsey Maehlum
Associate Director - Learning Options & ALE: Anissa Sharratt
Associate Director of Reengagement: Mandy Paradise
Flexible Learning Options Program Supervisor: Sara Foppiano
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