On March 25, 2021, OSPI submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Education to reduce the number of students who take state tests this spring, as well as the number of hours spent on those tests. Below is State Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s statement.
OLYMPIA — April 14, 2021 — After submitting accountability and state assessment waiver applications to the U.S. Department of Education (Department) in March, it is clear that the needs of the students of the State of Washington cannot be achieved through the current design of the Department’s waiver process. …
OLYMPIA — June 29, 2021 — Early results from the COVID-19 Student Survey of about 65,000 middle and high school students in Washington show that many of them reported feeling sad or depressed most days during the pandemic. But the majority of students in each grade also reported a high degree of resilience, saying they were optimistic about the future.
The results of the survey offer important information to schools planning for how to best support students as they return to full-time in-person learning this fall. …
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2021. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
I was concerned that the ability to create and maintain a positive relationship between students and myself would be difficult. To my surprise, the relationships this year are stronger than in previous years. …
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2021. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
I was shocked to teach classes where I never saw the faces of some of my students, and never met them in person. It struck me that if I passed my own student in a grocery store, I wouldn’t know it!
Is there a distance learning lesson that you are particularly proud of?
I am extremely proud of every lesson in which I tried a new technology tool for…
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2021. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
I’m not sure that I was surprised by anything, but it did confirm that great teaching practices are effective whether in the classroom or in a virtual setting.
Is there a distance learning lesson that you are particularly proud of?
Yes. When we first started remote learning during the spring of 2020, I engaged students in a 3 Act Math Task and almost all students engaged, persevered and built…
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2021. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
I have been most surprised by the strong connections I have made with students. Community is such a critical element for my classroom. Without it, students don’t feel safe enough to take the academic risks needed to grow as learners. I was so fearful that this would be impossible in the remote setting. …
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST), who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2022. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
Though some students excelled in the online format, it has been surprising to see how much many of my students relied on the structure and motivation provided in a regular school day. Even some of the advanced students were struggling without having that daily in-person time.
Is there a distance learning lesson that you are particularly proud of?
In my PreCalculus class we played a long-running game of Life…
Nearly $5.2 million in federal grants was awarded to support afterschool and summer learning programs for students who attend schools in underserved communities, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction announced today.
The grants are part of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program. This year, the following 13 districts and agencies were awarded grant funds:
- Boys and Girls Club of Lewis County
- Boys and Girls Club of Skagit County
- Capital Region ESD 113
- College Place School District
- Educational Services District 105
- Mead School District
- Northwest Community Center
- Rainier Valley Leadership Academy
- Save the Children
- Wahluke School…
This week we’re spotlighting Washington’s state finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) finalists, who will go on to be considered for the national award in 2021. Check out the rest of our PAEMST Spotlight interview series here.
What has surprised you about teaching during a pandemic?
How connected we can still be in a virtual classroom. We had sing-alongs, taped cameras to the end of spectroscopes, and there were still doodles and work being turned in. Humans will always use tools to find ways to connect and these connections with my students are what have gotten me through the last year.
Is there a distance learning lesson that you are particularly proud of?
Yes…
OLYMPIA — June 3, 2021 — The annual Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides children with nutritious meals during the summer. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a nationwide waiver extension which allows sponsors to offer summer meals no matter the economic conditions in the area.
Summer meal programs help children aged 18 and under get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow during the summer. This federally funded program is sponsored by many organizations throughout our state, including schools, nonprofit organizations, local governments, tribes, and more.
To find a Summer Meals site near you:
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Led by Supt. Chris Reykdal, OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state.
