Reflecting on Progress, Moving Ahead with Purpose
This school year, we have continued to make meaningful progress as a state in building greater cohesion across our special education improvement efforts. That progress is reflected in the ways we are aligning funding, strengthening technical assistance, and deepening our collective commitment to educational benefit for students with disabilities. We also continue to advance a shared commitment to high-quality instruction rooted in curriculum standards and inclusive practices, while recognizing and building upon the strengths, assets, and potential every student and educator brings to the learning environment.
This year also marked the launch of Year 0 for the statewide IEP project — an important step toward creating more coherent, student-centered systems that better support educators, families, and students across Washington. Throughout this work, we have remained intentionally focused on the students who continue to experience the greatest exclusion from our educational systems, recognizing that when we center and co-design with those students in mind, we improve outcomes for all students.
At the same time, we know there is still significant work ahead. We continue to balance sustainability with urgency, understanding that while systems change is complex and requires thoughtful implementation, our students do not have time to wait. That reality continues to drive our efforts forward.
As we navigate this complex change together, we are deeply grateful for the partnerships that make this work possible. The collaboration, commitment, and shared belief in better outcomes for students across the state continue to move this work forward in meaningful ways.
-Tania May and Cassie Martin
MTSS Integrated Conference 2026, New Details and Travel Grants Available!
Join educators from across Washington at the 2026 MTSS Integrated 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. Register and find the conference schedule here: MTSS Integrated Conference - NCESD.
To ensure equitable access, we are offering $500 District Travel Access Grants, funded by our generous sponsors. These grants help offset travel, lodging, or registration costs, enabling district teams across Washington to participate.
For more information, view the attached flyer. To submit an application, complete the travel grant form.
Roles and Qualifications to Conduct Special Education Evaluations
OSPI and PESB have co-developed guidance that will be released in the coming weeks regarding personnel roles and qualifications to conduct special education evaluations. The content within this guidance is intended to replace previously published guidance regarding the role of school psychologists in evaluating students for special education services. This guidance will be distributed widely when it becomes available.
Honoring Juneteenth
Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, marks a significant moment in U.S. history—the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. This day, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, celebrates the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, culture, and contributions of Black Americans.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, offering an opportunity for reflection, education, and community engagement. Juneteenth is a meaningful time to promote inclusive learning by acknowledging diverse histories, fostering cultural awareness, and encouraging respectful dialogue at all levels of ability. By recognizing Juneteenth, we honor history while continuing to build a future rooted in equality, understanding, and opportunity for all learners. For more information and ways to observe the day meaningfully, you can explore resources and toolkits from Juneteenth.com, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Racial Equity Tools.
Pride Month: Celebrating Inclusion and Belonging
June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community while promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect for all individuals. It serves as an important reminder to create environments where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves. Pride Month has its roots in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a pivotal moment when members of the LGBTQ+ community stood up against discrimination and injustice, sparking a movement for equal rights. Honoring Pride Month reinforces our commitment to inclusion, empathy, and celebrating the diversity that makes our communities stronger. For those interested in learning more, helpful resources can be found through organizations such as Glisten, The Trevor Project, and the Human Rights Campaign.
ESHB 2557: Evaluation Timelines
During the 2025–26 legislative session Governor Ferguson signed ESHB 2557 into law, which addresses special education evaluation timelines and eligibility determination meetings. ESHB 2557 goes into effect on June 11, 2026.
OSPI has received multiple inquiries regarding the legislation. OSPI shares this updated Question & Answers (Q&A) document, current as of June 2, 2026, for districts, parents/guardians, and IEP teams to support team decision making during the 2025–26 school year and beyond. As additional information is known, we will update this document with additional guidance.
OSPI has developed a model waiver form, which can be found on our Model Form Webpage and a summary of ESHB 2557, which can be shared with parents, IEP teams, and community. You can find the Evaluation & Eligibility Determination Timelines Summary here.
Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- Upcoming Changes to the Annual IDEA Determinations and the Correction of Non-Compliance (EGMS Form Package 442) - Repeat
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- Rescheduled: June Safety Net Conditional Award Meeting
- 2026–27 Preliminary IDEA Part B allocations, Sections 611 and 619
- Federal Special Education End of Year Reporting
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- 2026 Northwest Early Learning & Pyramid Summit
- ECSE Office Hours
Tip of the Month!
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