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We’re excited to share a new video resource for middle school counselors to explain the new statewide expectations for HSBP development in 7th and 8th grade. This tool is designed to help you guide students' career development growth as they begin exploring their interests, setting goals, and connecting their learning to their future goals.
👉 Access the Middle School Counselor HSBP Resources Here:
Please share this resource with your middle school counseling colleagues! Together, we can continue to elevate awareness and expand support for middle school students as they start their HSBP journey!
Watch the recording on YouTube playlist. The slides can be accessed here.
The window to earn free OSPI-sponsored clock hours closed on August 31, 2025. To check the status of the clock hour processing, visit pdenroller.com, click LOG IN at the top right of the page. Once logged in, click on your first name at the top right of the page and select ‘Clock Hours’ from the drop-down list and scroll down to see your transcript of all completed clock hours through pdEnroller.
Important Note: Mismatching information in pdEnroller and the information used to register for the asynchronous courses would have resulted in system errors and delays that cannot be resolved without additional confirmation information and/or supporting evidence that the pdEnroller account and course participant are one and the same. Please email with any questions or concerns.
If you were unable to finish by the deadline, your course will still be active, and you may still have options to earn clock hours or credit. You can check with your building or district to see if they can sponsor the clock hours, explore Washington’s Professional Growth Plan (PGP) to earn free hours for your learning, or consider earning university credit for an additional fee through Hatching Results’ partnership with California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).
Created just for youth and young adults in Washington up to age 25. HearMeWA connects youth to trained counselors and local resources. Get more information on how to talk about and build awareness for HearMeWA by using the marketing materials available for download. Contact youthprogram@atg.wa.gov for more information.
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Youth-centered Environmental Shift (YES!) is a new free sexual violence prevention program for Washington middle schools. Developed by OSPI, YES! is considered by the CDC to be a promising school-wide program that relies on youth involvement and primary prevention at the community level. The program helps to create a safer and more supportive school environment, using strategies that are proven to prevent both perpetration and victimization among youth.
Free technical assistance from OSPI is available for schools to implement YES! in the 2025–26 school year. Contact laurie.dils@k12.wa.us to learn more.
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Bulletin No. 053-25 provides updates on recent dual credit policy, funding, and rule changes and programmatic guidance, summarizing recent guidance provided through the Dual Credit Updates listserv. Included in this bulletin is information on the suspension of dual credit grants and subsidies, support for the annual dual credit notification, Running Start rulemaking pertaining to eligibility and reporting requirements, guidance on supporting High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) completion for Running Start students, and additional guidance on credit conversion for college-level coursework. Additionally, OSPI has identified technical assistance and professional learning opportunities to aid in the implementation of these programs.
OSPI, in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, has released a new health infographic adapted from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
This easy-to-use tool helps guide decisions about when students should stay home due to symptoms and when it's safe for them to attend school.
Ideas for Promotion
- print as a poster for classrooms or common areas
- share in newsletters
- send directly to families as part of back-to-school communications
Schools are encouraged to use this resource to reinforce consistent messaging around student wellness and attendance.
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Question: How do we know if a student can earn credit by taking an outside online course?
Answer: Awarding credit for courses taken outside of a public school district is considered a local-control decision. For credits earned outside of a public school district, districts have local control to review transcripts and award or deny credit according to their school board policies. Under , school districts are authorized to adopt policies for the acceptance of credits for off campus learning. explains the requirements for accepting credits earned though learning experiences conducted by persons not employed by the district.
HSBP Implementation Pulse Check due 9/30
The first HSBP implementation "pulse check" is right around the corner! In an effort to maximize student access to the new HSBP platform, SchooLinks, we're asking new districts to complete Onboarding by September 30th. Onboarding means that students have successfully logged into SchooLinks and completed the Onboarding activity. This activity ensures students to have the access they need to start strong.
Pulse Checks are OSPI’s way of staying connected with districts during this transition, helping us celebrate progress, identify challenges early, and provide support where it’s needed most. When we pull the Onboarding completion data on 9.30, districts/schools with less than 50% completion will receive a follow up communication from OSPI staff to inquire about any barriers and collaborate on solutions. Our goal is to partner with you to ensure every student has access to a meaningful, high-quality HSBP.
Resource: HSBP Grade Level Activities
Looking for a quick resource to share the HSBP requirements with staff? The Grade Level Activities resource pulls directly from the required indicators in the OSPI Scope and Sequence and organizes them into clear, grade-specific activities. To support staff conversations, ready-to-use slides are now available. Each slide highlights what students need to complete at each grade level, making it simple to connect classroom practice with statewide requirements.
A PDF one-pager version of this resource is also in development and will be shared in the future for quick reference. Access the slides at the link below.
Reminder: Middle School HSBP Awareness
This year the HSBP includes required activities for 7th and 8th graders. One key activity is the student onboarding, which needs to be completed by 9/30. While this may be new for many middle school counselors, you play an important role in helping students begin their HSBP journey!
To support you, please review the HSBP Scope and Sequence, which outlines the activities and timelines for each grade level. This resource will help you see how the middle school activities connect to the larger plan students will carry with them into high school.
Please make time to review the Scope and Sequence and plan ahead so your students are ready to meet the onboarding deadline and stay on track with their HSBP.
ICYMI: SchooLinks Training Registration
Don’t miss the opportunity to join one of our upcoming training sessions, including the Getting Started Training, which is designed to give you a strong foundation for using SchooLinks to support the HSBP! Register at the link here to secure your spot in a session that works best for your schedule. These sessions are designed to provide hands-on guidance and support to help you navigate SchooLinks and make the most of the HSBP platform.
Weekly HSBP Office Hours
Have questions? Need real-time support? Want to share what's working well so we keep doing it? Drop in anytime from 2:30–3:30 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.
Governor Bob Ferguson has signed an executive order launching the Washington Completes FAFSA campaign to boost FAFSA completion rates in the state. The campaign establishes a statewide advisory board staffed by WSAC and including students, school leaders, and higher-ed representatives to set annual completion targets and track progress. Washington consistently ranks among the lowest states in FAFSA completion, despite generous financial aid programs like the Washington College Grant; this effort aims to ensure more students can access aid for college, apprenticeships, or training.
The FAFSA for the 2026–27 school year opens on October 1.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) open on October 1, 2025. Are you ready to help your student's take their next steps to funding education after high school? In this session we will provide federal and state financial aid updates, the basics of financial aid, best practices and strategies to support you as you develop your Financial Aid Advising Day (FAAD) plan, and new insight on leveraging tools within the new HSBP platform to support student postsecondary planning and success.
Register here to join us on Wednesday, October 1 from 9–10:30 am!
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Supervisor
Gayle Fleming, gayle.fleming@k12.wa.us
Secondary School Counseling Program Supervisor
Maria Muto, maria.muto@k12.wa.us
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Note: Resources are provided for informational purposes and not as recommendations from OSPI. Resources referenced here may be for educators or parents and may not be intended for use in the classroom. We recommend reviewing all educational materials for alignment with district policy and state law before using with students. Articles and other resources are provided for informational purposes and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or policies of OSP
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