­OLYMPIA — November 12, 2021 — Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced that President Biden has nominated Glenna Gallo to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Gallo has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Special Education Services for the Office of…

This week, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal submitted his supplemental budget priorities for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to Governor Inslee and the Office of Financial Management. OLYMPIA — September 15, 2021 — Superintendent Reykdal’s budget priorities for the upcoming legislative session center on ensuring all students’ school environments are safe…

The state educators of the year were named by Superintendent Chris Reykdal in a ceremony livestreamed from the Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP). OLYMPIA — September 13, 2021 — North Thurston Public Schools Native Student Program Specialist Jerad Koepp has been named 2022 Washington State Teacher of the Year, and…

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 —…

On August 24, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal will announce his plan to increase student access to dual language learning programs across Washington’s schools. In advance of that announcement, we’ll review the current state of dual language programming. What are dual language programs? In schools that have dual language programs, classroom content is taught partly in…

The first time Kelso School District students meet with their Graduation Success Coach, it’s unlikely that they’ll talk about academics. Instead, Jesse Spellmeyer focuses on getting to know the students and understanding their challenges. “Jesse has a great ability to relate with students,” said Cindy Sholtys-Cromwell, Principal of Loowit High…

OLYMPIA — August 4, 2022 — Nearly 30% (45,000–55,000) of Washington’s students are employed in high school. In a media briefing today, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal announced his plan to allow students ages 16+ to earn elective credits toward their high school diploma through paid work experience that is verified…

Many services for children came to a halt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but not Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. “That engine kept moving,” said Brooke Fisher-Clark, Executive Director of the Imagination Library of Washington. “No matter what, through this whole process, children that have been enrolled have received…

In a media briefing today, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal described his plan to change the connection between revenue from timber harvesting on state trust lands and K–12 urban school construction. — OLYMPIA — July 19, 2022 — As revenues from harvesting timber on school trust lands continues to decline, it’s time to stop depending on these funds for the K–12 School Construction Assistance Program, State Superintendent Reykdal said today.