Learning Options - August Newsletter

Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sent this bulletin at 08/20/2026 08:39 AM PDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Flexible Learning Options (FLO) Spotlight
Annual Reporting
Policy & Funding Updates
Upcoming Events

Flexible Learning Options (FLO) Spotlight

Now Accepting Applications for New Open Doors Programs

The process for applying for a new Open Doors program is back up and running. The application webform is posted on the Open Doors Youth Reengagement Getting Started Toolkit webpage in the “How to Apply” dropdown section. Please note, some of the information on the website refers to the past process. A more accurate description of what to expect in the updated process is:

Complete the webform.
OSPI will review the information provided.
OSPI will reach out to schedule an Intake Meeting.
Final steps of the approval process will be discussed in the Intake Meeting.

Updating the Open Doors webpages to reflect these changes will happen throughout the summer. In the meantime, we look forward to reviewing your applications!

Contact learningoptions@k12.wa.us with any questions.

Annual Reporting

Closing Soon - Alternative Learning Experience (ALE)

Any school district claiming ALE enrollment for state funding is required to submit a year end report.

When will it open? This report is now available for districts that reported ALE enrollment during the 2025-26 school year.
When is the deadline? August 31, 2026.
Where can I find more information?
- The 2025-26 reporting guidance is available on the ALE website.
- 2025-26 Year End Report collection form.
- Questions?
  - Contact learningoptions@k12.wa.us.

Open - Open Doors Youth Reengagement (ODYR)

Any school district operating ODYR is required to submit an annual report.

When will it open? This report is now available for districts that operated ODYR during the 2025-26 school year.
When is the deadline? October 30, 2026.
Where can I find more information?
- 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.
- Questions?
  - 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.

Opening Soon - Home-based Instruction

Each public school district in Washington State is required to submit a Home-Based Report to OSPI

When will it open? October 1, 2026
When is the deadline? October 15, 2026.
Where can I find more information?
- The Home-Based Report application is available in the Education Data System (EDS) under the “My Applications” menu. To access the report, staff must be assigned the appropriate user role by their local District Data Security Manager (DDSM).
- Instructions will be emailed in September to staff who submitted this collection last year.
- Questions?
  - Contact learningoptions@k12.wa.us.

Policy & Funding Updates

Updated English Language Arts Learning Standards

After many months of research, stakeholder and community engagement, feedback, and revisions, the OSPI team published the final revised K–12 English Language Arts Learning Standards last week. The standards have been updated to reflect current research about literacy and to prepare students for the realities of 21st century communication by helping them become skilled, knowledgeable decision-makers through the inclusion of media literacy and digital citizenship. Please see OSPI’s bulletin announcing the formal adoption of the ELA standards for more information and links to documents.

Questions? Contact OSPI Learning Standards Review Team.

High School & Beyond Plan (HSBP) Implementation

Resources for a Strong Start to HSBP

Make HSBP planning easier with three resources designed to help school counselors and HSBP teams organize the year, calendar key activities, and stay aligned with statewide expectations.
The 26-27 Required HSBP Scope & Sequence outlines the minimum required activities in SchooLinks, statewide Pulse Check dates, and recommended timelines for other important planning experiences. The HSBP Activities Packet includes updated materials that support consistent, meaningful student engagement, self-awareness, and connection to future pathways. The HSBP Pulse Check Guide explains what is required for each Pulse Check and offers practical strategies for planning, implementation, and progress monitoring.

Upcoming HSBP Trainings

The Getting Started trainings will continue to be offered in August and September. Any staff who will have any involvement with the SchooLinks platform and HSBP process need to attend Getting Started or watch a recording here.
Register for HSBP SchooLinks trainings here.

Questions? Contact OSPI HSBP Team

School Improvement Grants

The Grant application for 2026-27 School Improvement Grants (FP 910) is now open in EGMS. We are happy to announce that funding is available to all schools with WSIF identifications of Tier 3 Plus and Tier 3. Notifications have been sent by email to eligible district and school leaders and through EGMS.

We encourage all eligible districts and ESDs to submit their Pre-application and SAS request as soon as possible once the announcement is open, and to submit their applications as soon as 2026-27 School Improvement Plans are complete and allowable expenditure requests are identified. The deadline for initial grant applications is October 31, 2026.

Guidance and resources for School Improvement Grants are available on our the School Improvement Resources website under the School Improvement Grant and Fiscal Guidance tab.

Questions? Contact OSPI School Improvement Team

2026-27 Running Start Rates

Nonvocational - $10,585.00
Vocational - $11,479.00

Upcoming Events

OSPI's Annual Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (CSCP) School Year Kickoff Webinar: Various Dates in Fall 2026 | Statewide Online Webinar | More Information & Registration
Washington Association for Learning Alternatives (WALA) Fall Workshops: Various Dates in Fall 2026 | Regionally | More Information & Registration.
National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) Conference: October 5-7 | Baltimore, MD | More Information & Registration.
Washington State Dual Credit General Updates Webinar with OSPI, SBCTC, and Council of Presidents | 2:30 - 4:30 PM October 6 | Statewide Online Webinar | Meeting Link.
Full Scale (formerly Aurora Institute) Symposium: October 8-10 | Indianapolis, IN | More Information & Registration.
The Community Advancing Digital Learning (DLAC) Conference: October 19-21 | Atlanta, GA | More Information & Registration.
Reaching At-Promise Students Association (RAPSA) Forum: November 4-6 | San Diego, CA | More Information & Registration.
2nd Annual Washington State School Improvement Conference: April 2027 | More Information to come!

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

ALL STUDENTS PREPARED FOR POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS, CAREERS, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

Led by State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington state. Our mission is to provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6162 (TTY: 360-664-3631), equity@k12.wa.us.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider.