The Future of Special Education: Centering Students, Families, and Education
In this short video, U.S. Senator Patty Murray joins a family to highlight why special education must remain connected to the U.S. Department of Education. Their message is an important reminder that special education is about more than services and supports. It is about every student’s right to a meaningful education, the opportunity to learn alongside peers, and the protections families rely on to ensure their children receive the education they deserve.
Moving special education responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raises important concerns about maintaining the educational expertise, federal oversight, and coordination with schools and states that students and families depend on. Special education is fundamentally an educational responsibility, grounded in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the right to a free appropriate public education.
For families, these protections are deeply personal. They help ensure that children with disabilities are not left to navigate complex systems alone and that their educational needs remain a priority. Keeping special education connected to the Department of Education also helps preserve its relationship with general education, reinforcing that students with disabilities are first and foremost students who deserve access to high-quality instruction, meaningful inclusion, and opportunities to thrive.
As we continue this work in Washington, the voices of students and families remind us what matters most: protecting educational rights, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that every student with a disability has the opportunity to learn, belong, and succeed.
AAC Awareness Month
People around the world celebrate AAC Awareness Month every October. The goal is to promote public awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and the diverse ways people communicate. AAC can include gestures, facial expressions, eye gaze, communication boards, and speech-generating devices. AAC Awareness Month emphasizes that communication is a human right and that access to AAC and inclusive communication practices supports full participation in school, healthcare, work, and community life. Increasing awareness and building capacity around AAC can strengthen collaboration among educators, families, and community partners while supporting equitable access to communication, instruction, and meaningful participation and improved outcomes for students who use AAC.
Ways districts can celebrate and participate in AAC Awareness Month can include:
White Cane Day
On October 15th, we honor White Cane Day. White Cane Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness on the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence and mobility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. White Cane Day also reminds us of the need for pedestrian safety and respect for the rights of individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion and accessibility. Learn more about White Cane Day at the National Federation of the Blind and see how you can get involved with events happening in our state by registering for the White Cane Day Walk 2026 hosted by the WA Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL) in Seattle.
2027 Legislative Session
The 2027 Washington state legislative session will begin on Monday, January 11, 2027. The 2027 session is the first year of the biennium and is a long session, lasting 105 days. At the beginning of the session, a cutoff calendar for consideration of legislation will be adopted by both houses. The 2027 regular session is expected to end on Sunday, April 25, 2027.
As required by law, Superintendent Reykdal submitted OSPI’s 2027–29 biennial budget requests to Governor Ferguson for appropriations from the state general fund to meet the state's paramount constitutional duty to provide ample funding for basic education.
Of note, 2027–29 biennial budget requests include Boosting Kindergarten Readiness Among Underserved Early Learners by Restoring Transition to Kindergarten Programs and Funding the Statewide IEP Platform Using Federal Special Education Safety Net Dollars, described below.
If you have questions about anything legislature-related, please contact OSPI Special Education with the subject line "Legislative Session".
Legislative Budget Request: Funding the Statewide IEP Platform Using Federal Special Education Safety Net Dollars
OSPI is requesting that the Legislature fully fund Safety Net with state dollars and redirect $30 million in federal funds over the next two years to fulfill the agency’s statutory obligation to provide a statewide Individualized Education Program (IEP) platform to districts, students, and families at no cost.
In keeping with legislative intent, OSPI envisions a modern, inclusive, and data-driven statewide IEP system that prioritizes student outcomes and equitable access to rigorous learning. The statewide IEP system will provide meaningful, accessible, and user-centered interfaces for families, educators, and students to foster collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility for student success.
The Legislature appropriated a 0.6% state set-aside of special education funding for the IEP platform; however, this amount is insufficient to fully develop, implement, and sustain the system. The legislative budget request would benefit districts by streamlining Safety Net funding, reducing compliance-related workload, and eliminating separate federal applications. It would also provide the resources needed to implement the statewide IEP platform at no cost to districts.
For additional details, see the 2027–29 Biennium Operating Budget Decision Package. For legislative questions, please contact OSPI Special Education using the subject line “Legislative Session.”
Click here for this month’s Program Improvement updates on the following topics:
- WISM Systems Analysis Orientation Webinar – October 22nd
- Identification and Correction of Non-Compliance for 2025–26 (Updated)
- Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
Click here for this month’s Fiscal & Data updates on the following topics:
- Updated IDEA Part B Preliminary Allocation Tables
- Special Education November Federal Child Count
- Post-School Outcome Survey – closes November 1
- Special Education Personnel Employed and Contracted
- OSPI Special Education Data, Fiscal, and Program Office Hours
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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