Since the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) federal accountability plan is due to federal agencies in September, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) plans to hold four webinars to provide more information about the plan as well as changes from the first draft that was written. The webinars will also identify avenues through which the general public can provide feedback before the agency submits the final plan to the U.S. Department of Education. The plan explains the state’s accountability system as well as how it plans to support the needs of all students while addressing achievement gaps for students who have often been underserved by schools.

The four ESSA webinars will cover how OSPI has revised the Consolidated Plan since the first public comment period late last year. Interested individuals may sign up for the upcoming webinars to be held August 15 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., August 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., August 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and August 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Information may be found on the OSPI website at http://www.k12.wa.us/

During the spring, ESSA workgroups reviewed the comments received during the first round of public comment and sent recommended changes to Superintendent Chris Reykdal for his consideration in the next draft of the Plan. Next month, on August 7, OSPI will release the revised plan to Gov. Jay Inslee for review and approval. All interested individuals will then have 30 days during which they can express their thoughts on the revised plan. The superintendent will receive comments from this second round of public comment as he makes possible revisions to the final document.