October is Disability History Month
October is Disability History Month and serves as an important reminder to center disability histories, narratives, contributions, and ongoing systemic barriers — not as a token gesture, but as part of a sustained commitment to disability justice. In Washington State, public schools are legally required to engage in this work; under RCW 28A.230.158, “each public school shall conduct or promote educational activities that provide instruction, awareness, and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities.”
By engaging during October, districts can:
- Increase awareness and understanding of disability as a facet of diversity;
- Counter stigma, deficit framing, and stereotypes;
- Amplify voices of people with disabilities (especially youth);
- Help foster belonging, pride, and self-advocacy;
- Ensure that disability history is not erased or sidelined in standard curricula.
For districts in Washington, a powerful, ready-to-use curriculum exists: One Out of Five: Disability History & Pride Project.
What is One Out of Five?
- Developed by the Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) in partnership with Rooted in Rights and local educators.
- Named to highlight that one in five people in the U.S. live with a disability.
- Contains 5 lessons (30–45 minutes each) designed for grades 3–12 (modifiable) covering:
- Introduction to Disability (student-voice videos, vocabulary, perspectives);
- Intersectionality of disability with race, gender, etc.;
- Disability History in the U.S.;
- Disability History in Washington State; and
- Allyship, Solidarity, and confronting ableism.
- Includes lesson plans, slide decks, posters, worksheets, differentiation suggestions, extension ideas, and a book resource guide.
- Adaptations are provided for virtual instruction and for elementary grades.
Because this is a locally grounded, state-endorsed resource, it can support alignment with Washington policies, contextual relevance, and shared language across schools and districts.
You can access the curriculum via OEO’s website: One Out of Five: Disability History & Pride Project.
Employee Spotlight: Andrew Mitchell, Administrative Program Specialist
We’re excited to welcome Andrew Mitchell as the newest member of our team at OSPI! Andrew joins us as an Administrative Program Specialist 2 on the Operations team, where he will support the Safety Net program.
Andrew brings a strong background in education and program support. Most recently, he worked with a teacher preparation program at the University of Washington. Prior to that, he supported charter schools through his work at PSESD 121 and the True Measure Collaborative, and also served as a special education teacher.
Andrew is thrilled to be part of a team that aligns with both his passions and strengths. “I truly enjoy providing technical assistance and high-quality customer service to our districts,” he shares. “I also love working with data and spreadsheets. Most importantly, I have the privilege of working with some amazing people!”
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys playing and watching sports as well as exploring new restaurants. Lately, he’s been enjoying his 3-year old's fascination with plants and construction vehicles. “Being a dad to a toddler is the best thing ever,” he says.
Please join us in welcoming Andrew to the Safety Net team!
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Statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) Update
OSPI is moving forward with the development of a statewide Individualized Education Program (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.
We are currently in the pre-implementation phase, where OSPI is focused on planning, partner engagement, and establishing the foundation for future rollout.
If you have questions or would like to connect about the statewide IEP system, please reach out at statewideIEP@k12.wa.us.
New Resource: Reaching Every Learner Webinar
The Reaching Every Learner document suite is designed to help educators apply the Reaching Every Learner approach in their planning and instruction. Access this document suite and more on the new Inclusionary Practices webpage.
Grounded in the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, the tools support the creation of accessible, inclusive, and appropriately challenging units for all students, including students with significant cognitive disabilities. Educators and teams can use these tools during co-planning, lesson design, and ongoing instructional adjustments to meet diverse learner needs.
Review the Reaching Every Learner Webinar Part 1 to learn more about the Reaching Every Learner resource suit and unpack the secondary math case study.
Honoring Indigenous People’s Day
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day is one day in an ongoing commitment to truth, recognition, and solidarity. It invites us to pause and recognize that the land on which we live has long been stewarded by Indigenous peoples, not only in the past but in the present. This day offers both remembrance—of histories of displacement, resilience, and resistance—and celebration—of living cultures, languages, and traditions that continue to thrive. To truly honor this day means centering Indigenous voices, amplifying their futures, and recognizing that justice, sovereignty, and healing are ongoing efforts rather than one-time gestures.
In Washington, the Office of Native Education (ONE) at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) provides guidance, resources, and support to ensure that Native students are honored and empowered within our schools. ONE leads statewide initiatives such as the Since Time Immemorial Tribal Sovereignty curriculum, which integrates tribal history and perspectives into every grade level, and provides Native Education curriculum materials that reflect the stories, resilience, and contributions of Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribes. The office also partners with tribal leaders and school districts to support Native student success, ensure cultural traditions are upheld, and strengthen government-to-government consultation in education. Please visit the ONE website to learn more, access resources, and connect directly with OSPI Office of Native Education.
Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- WISM Systems Analysis Orientation Webinar
- Identification and Correction of Non-Compliance for 2024–25
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Improvement Office Hours
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- Supporting Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Their Families: Part C to Part B Transition
- Central Valley Early Learning Center Demo Site Visit
- Haring Center: In-Person Inclusion Training for Early Childhood Providers
- 2025 Northwest Early Learning & Pyramid Summit
- National Training Opportunities
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- Special Education Personnel Employed and Contracted Data Collection
- Special Education November Federal Child Count Data Reporting
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Improvement Office Hours
- Fiscal Monitoring Video Series
- Fiscal Reminders
Click here for this month’s Dispute Resolution updates on:
- Welcoming Sound Options Cadre as Our New Mediation & IEP Facilitation Provider
- Part-Time Enrollment (Updated)
Tip of the Month!
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