March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to recognize the many contributions individuals with developmental disabilities make to our schools, workplaces, and communities. As we recognize Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to sustaining and expanding inclusionary practices across the state—ensuring individuals with developmental disabilities are not only present in our schools and communities, but fully engaged, empowered, and celebrated for their unique strengths and contributions to society.
Through our continued investment in the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network (IPTN), we are advancing a statewide network aim focused on increasing meaningful inclusion, strengthening educator capacity, and improving outcomes for students with developmental disabilities. This work reflects our belief that inclusive practices benefit all students and that disability is a natural part of the human experience. We encourage everyone to commit to recognizing the lasting impact and ongoing contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities, including the important work advanced through the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council. Learn more about the council’s initiatives and statewide impact by visiting their website.
Legislative Update
The last day of the regular legislative session, Sine Die, is March 12th. Stay tuned to the OSPI Special Education Bill Tracker for regular updates on the status of bills impacting special education. Bills with a grey background are not moving forward this session.
ESHB 2557 requires that for any initial evaluation or reevaluation conducted to determine the eligibility or continuing eligibility of a student for special education services, a school district must provide the student's parent or legal guardian with a copy of the evaluation report no later than the 35th school day following consent to evaluate. The eligibility meeting to discuss the evaluation and determine eligibility must occur no later than the 40th school day, giving families five school days to review the evaluation report.
If you have questions about anything legislature-related, please contact OSPI Special Education with the subject line "Legislative Session".
MTSS Integrated Conference Save the Data and Call for Proposals!
July 28–30, 2026 | Wenatchee, WA
Join educators from across Washington at the 2026 Integrated MTSS Conference in the newly remodeled Wenatchee Convention Center! This year’s theme – Aligning for Impact: Inclusive Systems That Work – brings together leaders, teachers, specialists, and support teams for two powerful days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Kick off the experience with our July 28th Pre-Conference, featuring role-specific learning for Special Education Directors, School Psychologists, and Threat Assessment teams.
The July 29th & 30th Conference will be filled with dynamic keynote speakers, including Priya Parker, and Nidhi Sachdeva who will spark meaningful reflection on leadership, systems, and gathering with purpose.
We are also seeking presenters who can inspire through the strands Innovate, Include, Inspire. Bring your best Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) practices, ideas, and success stories to educators statewide! Deadline to submit presenter form is March 31, 2026.
Come learn, connect, and elevate MTSS implementation across Washington!
Conference Schedule
Pre-Conference
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 7am–4pm
Main Conference
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 7:30am–4pm
Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 7:30am–12:30pm
Location Wenatchee Convention Center
121 N. Wenatchee Ave.
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Additional details, including registration information and session highlights, will be shared as the conference approaches. We look forward to coming together to learn, connect, and advance integrated MTSS systems across Washington. Additional information and registration are available on the MTSS Conference website.
Save the Date: Transition Services Listening Sessions
Your input at the Transition Services Listening Sessions will help the Transition Collaborative write a report that is due to the Legislature in October 2026. The Transition Collaborative is looking for your recommendations to include in this plan.
Listening sessions are being held from March through April with collaborators including:
- Association of County Human Services: Monday, March 23rd, 1:00–2:30pm
- Students, Families and Advocates: Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:00–7:30pm
- Educators: Thursday, April 23rd, 3:30–5:00pm
- Community Rehabilitation Providers: Wednesday, April 29th, 1:00–2:30pm
- Tribal Consultation: Dates to be determined
You can find out more about the Transition Collaborative, register for the appropriate listening session, and request needed accommodations or translations by visiting the Transition Collaborative Project website.
State agencies and supporting councils that make up the Transition Collaborative include:
- Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction;
- Developmental Disabilities Community Services;
- Division of Vocational Rehabilitation;
- Department of Services for the Blind;
- Washington State Rehabilitation Council; and
- Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council.
Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- Disproportionality Workbooks due May 1 from Identified LEAs
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- Safety Net Updates
- Secondary Transition IEP Components (Indicator B-13) Application is Open!
- Consent Received to Share Student Information with State Transition Agencies Application is Open!
- New Disciplinary Removals Application
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
- Notice of Public Comment Period for Annual State Application of Fiscal Year 2025 of the IDEA Federal Grant
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- Working with DHH Children & Their Families
- 2026 Infant and Early Childhood Conference
- 2026 Pyramid Model Annual National Conference
- 2026 International Early Childhood Inclusion Institute Hybrid Conference
- Strengthening Early Learning: PELE–Marsico Partnership Announced
Question: What is Stay Put?
Tip of the Month!
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