(1) The superintendent of public instruction shall engage in statewide special education activities to support students receiving special education services.
(a) The statewide activities must include:
(i) Annually reviewing data from local education agencies, including the percentage of students receiving special education services, to ensure there is not a disproportionate identification of students, as defined by the superintendent of public instruction in accordance with federal requirements of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400;
(ii) Providing technical assistance to school districts with disproportionate data;
(iii) Requiring districts with disproportionate data to complete and submit to the office of the superintendent of public instruction a self-assessment that includes an audit of student evaluations and individualized education programs;
(iv) Implementing follow-up actions based on the results of the self-assessment required in (a)(iii) of this subsection if determined necessary; and
(v) Developing and maintaining a statewide online system for individualized education programs as directed under RCW 28A.155.275.
(b) The statewide activities may include:
(i) Providing professional development in inclusionary practices to local education agencies, schools, and community partners in promoting inclusionary teaching practices within a multitiered system of supports framework to help safeguard against over-identification and other issues related to disproportionality; and
(ii) Providing a funding match to local education agencies that opt to allocate federal funding for coordinated, early intervening services per 34 C.F.R. Sec. 300.226.
(2) The superintendent of public instruction shall annually report to the education committees of the legislature, in accordance with RCW 43.01.036, by December 1st on the statewide activities funded under RCW 28A.150.390(3). The 2025 and 2026 annual reports must include an update on the impact of removing the cap on the special education enrollment percentage, including the impact on safety net needs.
[ 2025 c 368 s 2.]