Open Doors Process Change
In an update to annual Open Doors processes, the Learning Options department will not be collecting Statement of Work documents. Programs are welcome to continue using the example templates posted on the Open Doors Youth Reengagement Getting Started Toolkit webpage to manage agreements at the local level.
Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)
Any school district claiming ALE enrollment for state funding is required to submit a year end report.
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When will it open? This report is now available for districts that reported ALE enrollment during the 2025-26 school year.
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When is the deadline? August 31, 2026.
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Where can I find more information?
Open Doors Youth Reengagement (ODYR)
Any school district operating ODYR is required to submit an annual report.
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When will it open? This report is now available for districts that operated ODYR during the 2025-26 school year.
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When is the deadline? October 30, 2026.
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Where can I find more information?
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To access the application, log into the Education Data System (EDS) and click on the Youth Reengagement link.
- The ODYR Application User Guide provides step by step instructions for reviewing and populating data to the application.
- Additional guidance documents are available on the Open Doors Youth Reengagement Resources webpage.
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Questions?
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Contact Learningoptions@k12.wa.us with questions about program approval or support.
- Contact AskSI@k12.wa.us for questions about the process, data populated from CEDARS, students in the application or data uploads.
Draft Crosswalk for Online School Programs
Our team is seeking feedback on a Draft Crosswalk that will be used to support continuous improvement for online school programs. The crosswalk aligns the Washington State Teacher and Principal Evaluation and Growth Program (TPEP) with the National Standards for Quality Online Learning (NSQOL), resulting in a tool to guide effective online school program implementation. After taking some time to review the document, complete our Feedback Survey - Draft Crosswalk to let us know what you think!
Monthly FLO PLC
If you haven't joined yet, don't worry - it's not too late! Complete the FLO PLC Survey to add your name to the invite list.
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). Meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month from 4 pm–5 pm.
2026 Post-Session Resources and Information
The following resources highlight changes made by the Legislature this year:
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The 2026 End of Session Summary lists new bills and budget items that passed during the 2026 Legislative Session that impact students, schools, and the K–12 system.
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The 2026 Session District Impacts lists school district requirements that are either new, resulting from legislation passed this session, or requirements from previous years that are going into effect this school year or next.
2026-27 Running Start Rates
- Nonvocational - $10,585.00
- Vocational - $11,479.00
Outreach School Improvement Conference
We will have our first annual Washington state school improvement conference. The schedule for the Continuous Improvement Outreach 2026 will be a day and a half total, on August 3-4, 2026 in Wenatchee, Washington. This will help prepare LEA and school teams for the final year of cycle three and set up preparation for cycle four.
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Date: August 3-4, 2026
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Clock Hours/Registration: Signup via pdEnroller, registration is limited.
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Location: Confluence Technology Center, Wenatchee, WA 285 Technology Center Way Wenatchee WA 98801
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Cost: Free - Traveler/Attendee responsible for travel and accommodation.
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Top Tip: If you are still identifying uses for your 2025-26 school funds, you may use them to attend with your school teams
School Safety Learning Opportunities
As a state, we have made enormous progress in adopting comprehensive safety requirements for schools, and districts have been working hard to implement them. As school safety continues to be a relevant topic, we are sharing with you a new training series that OSPI is making available at no cost for school district leaders, building leaders, security staff, safety staff, counselors, and social workers.
The training series, hosted by OSPI and subject matter expert Dr. Melissa A. Reeves, brings together advanced strategies to strengthen prevention, intervention, and long-term recovery efforts in K–12 settings. Each session is designed as a standalone training course, allowing participants to attend one, two, or all three based on their role and interests. Each of the three sessions are brief and accessible, focused on real-world application, and aligned with school safety and prevention efforts.
Has your program put out a video or been featured in media? Send a link to learningoptions@k12.wa.us. We would love to feature you in an upcoming newsletter!
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
Flexible Learning Options Program Supervisor: Sara Foppiano
Choice Transfer
Home-Based Instruction
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