Special Education Voicemail — Important Update
We recently became aware of a technical issue that prevented our team from accessing voicemail messages left on OSPI’s main Special Education line beginning in mid-July. The issue is now resolved, and we are working to respond to messages as quickly as possible.
We know that when you call our office, especially at the beginning of a new school year, you are reaching out because you need information, support, or help navigating an immediate concern. If you left us a message and did not receive a response, we are genuinely sorry. That is not the level of responsiveness we expect from ourselves or that you should expect from us.
Our team is actively reviewing and triaging the messages, with priority given to those that appear most time-sensitive. You do not need to leave another voicemail, however, if your question has become urgent or your circumstances have changed, please feel free to reach out by emailing us at speced@k12.wa.us.
We appreciate your patience as we catch up—and, most importantly, we apologize to those who are waiting to hear from us.
IEP Online 3.0 Transition
As districts begin the new school year, OSPI is aware that some educators and teams are navigating the transition to WSIPC’s IEP Online 3.0 system. We recognize the critical importance of IEP development and implementation, particularly during the start of the school year, and understand that changes to local systems can create questions and challenges. Districts using IEP Online 3.0 should continue to work directly with WSIPC for technical assistance and with the vendor for system support. The direct contact for vendor support is: customersupport@pcgus.com | (800) 356-8040 ext. 4. The OSPI team continues to compile questions and concerns coming from districts related to this topic.
We also recognize that the timing of the IEP Online 3.0 transition overlaps with OSPI’s work to develop Washington’s future statewide IEP platform, and we want to provide some clarification about these separate efforts. IEP Online 3.0 is a WSIPC system currently used by participating districts and is not the statewide IEP platform being developed by OSPI.
Progress on the Statewide IEP Platform
OSPI’s statewide IEP project is a multi-year effort established by the 2025 Legislature to create a modern, accessible, and consistent IEP platform that better supports students, families, educators, and statewide data needs. The evaluation of proposals included OSPI staff, educators, special education leaders, families, and technical partners, and considered both the technical requirements of a statewide system and the implementation and change management needed to support districts across Washington.
Important procurement and contracting steps remain before OSPI can announce a selected vendor and finalize agreements. While this work continues, we are excited about the progress being made toward a statewide system designed to reduce administrative burden, strengthen family engagement, and improve consistency across the state. Pilot implementation of the statewide IEP platform is expected to begin in the 2028–29 school year, with additional information and opportunities for engagement to be shared as the project moves forward. To learn more about the statewide IEP, please visit our website for regular updates: Washington’s Statewide IEP Project.
Newly Updated Model Forms Now Available
OSPI Special Education has updated two model forms to align with the new evaluation timeline requirements established by ESHB 2557, effective June 11, 2026. The updated Evaluation Report & Eligibility Determination (form 5a) and the Agreement to Extend Evaluation Timeline (form 5c) are now available on the OSPI Special Education Model Forms webpage. OSPI also corrected a small typo on the Agreement to Waive the Five-Day Review Period Prior to Holding Eligibility Determination Meeting (form 5d).
These updated forms are designed to support districts in documenting evaluation and eligibility decisions under the new timeline requirements. For additional information about the transition from the previous evaluation timeline to the new timeline, please refer to the ESHB 2557 Evaluation & Eligibility Determination Timelines Q&A.
Request for Qualifications: Response to Intervention (RtI)
The OSPI Special Education Division is seeking a partner to support Washington’s statewide transition to instructional-data approaches, including Response to Intervention (RtI), for Specific Learning Disability (SLD) eligibility determination. This work is intended to strengthen how schools use data, interventions, and problem-solving processes when making SLD eligibility decisions, while supporting more consistent and effective practices across Washington.
OSPI is particularly interested in individuals with experience as school psychologists with a background in RtI-based SLD evaluation and eligibility and project management/systems implementation who can help lead and coordinate this statewide transition. Proposals may also include additional consultants or organizational partners. The RFQ and required materials are available on OSPI’s Competitive Procurements page, and responses are due September 28, 2026, by 12:00 pm Pacific Time.
Connecting Inclusionary Practices and the New Literacy Framework Draft
As you continue to strengthen inclusive practices across your schools and classrooms, we want to remind you about OSPI’s Inclusionary Practices guidance and resources. This collection provides universal guidance, tools, and resources to support schools in improving outcomes for all students, while providing specific resources to include students with disabilities by strengthening belonging, access, high expectations, effective instruction, and inclusive systems.
These resources provide an important foundation for engaging with the newly developed Washington State Literacy Framework K–6 (2026 Draft).
The Literacy Framework emphasizes strong, evidence-based literacy instruction for all students. The Inclusionary Practices guidance can help schools consider how that instruction is designed and delivered, so students with disabilities have meaningful access to grade-level learning alongside their peers. Together, these resources reinforce a shared commitment to designing instruction from the start that is accessible, rigorous, responsive, and supportive of every learner.
As you explore the new Literacy Framework draft, we encourage you to use the Inclusionary Practices resources as a companion to consider: How do we ensure every student—including students with disabilities—is included, supported, and successful within high-quality literacy instruction? There are opportunities to provide feedback to this draft, as you engage in thinking about high-quality literacy instruction for all learners, please reach out and provide feedback.
Annual Activities Calendar
The 2026-2027 Guide for Annual Activities, Reports and Grants Packages is now available on the Special Education page under Helpful Links. It can also be found in the Special Education Resource Library under Quick Links. Please note that deadlines are subject to change and the Guide is not exhaustive of all activities, reports, and grant opportunities that may be associated with the Special Education Division.
Special Education Division Team Member Spotlight:
Meet Our New Program Improvement Special Education Supervisor, Abby Anaya Bedell
What were you doing prior to OSPI?
Prior to joining OSPI, I worked across a variety of roles focused on inclusive education, both domestically and internationally. I began my career as an Early Childhood Special Education Diagnostician and Bilingual Education teacher, which grounded my commitment to equitable access and meaningful inclusion for all learners. Throughout my career, I have supported inclusive education initiatives through international development organizations, contributed to policy and program development, and provided training and technical assistance to educators and partners. In each role, I have remained focused on expanding opportunities and improving outcomes for students with diverse learning needs. I initially joined OSPI as the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) Program Supervisor, where I supported the implementation of Washington's universal HSBP and partnered with educators across the state to strengthen postsecondary planning opportunities for all students before transitioning into my current role as a Program Improvement Special Education Program Supervisor.
What excites you most about joining the team?
What excites me most about joining OSPI is the opportunity to work alongside passionate colleagues and partners who are dedicated to improving outcomes for all students across Washington! I am particularly excited to contribute to systems-level work that supports inclusive practices and helps ensure students with disabilities have access to high-quality educational opportunities. I value collaboration and continuous learning, and I look forward to partnering with educators, families, and communities to advance equitable outcomes for all students.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I was born and raised in Chicago and still enjoy traveling back to the Midwest whenever I can to spend time with family and friends. Outside of work, I love hiking, exploring the outdoors, and taking advantage of all the natural beauty Washington has to offer. At home, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Jon, and our dog, Milo. I'm a massive sports enthusiast and rarely miss a chance to cheer on my favorite teams. I'm also an avid reader and can usually be found with a good book in hand!
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Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- Special Education Monitoring for 2026-27 (Updated)
- New Special Education Parent Survey – Spring 2026 Results (Updated)
- Disproportionality and Significant Disproportionality Notifications (Updated)
- IDEA Correction of Non-Compliance Identified in 2025-26 (Repeat)
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- New Safety Net Quarterly Payment Guidance and Request Form Available
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
- Disciplinary Removals Reporting
Click here for this month’s ECSE updates on the following topics:
- Early Childhood Special Education Office Hours
- Conferences and Professional Learning Opportunities
- Resource Spotlight
Tip of the Month!!!
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