Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) OSPI oversees K-12 public education in Washington. This page lets us share our work with you. Welcome to OSPI's Official page.

This is a place for us to connect with you about the work that we do, to share the good things that are happening in our schools, and to spread the news about opportunities available to teachers, students and parents for lifelong learning. OSPI Social Media Terms of Use: https://www.k12.wa.us/ToU

The future comes fast; fortunately, today's students are already thinking ๐Ÿค”ahead with a little help from the High School...
06/24/2026

The future comes fast; fortunately, today's students are already thinking ๐Ÿค”ahead with a little help from the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP)!

The HSBP is a tool that helps students in grades 7โ€“12 explore career and college options. Students annually update their HSBP to reflect their changing interests and goals, connecting what they learn and the skills they develop to future career pathways. All Washington graduates are required to exit high school with a completed HSBP.

The data shown in this graphic comes from almost 298,000 students using SchooLinks, Washington's newly implemented universal HSBP platform. These results reflect more than just numbersโ€”they represent student voice, curiosity, and the power of intentional planning.

BTW, a career cluster is a group of jobs and industries that are related by skills or products. Within each cluster, there are career pathways that correspond to a collection of courses and training opportunities to prepare students for a chosen career.

Support your student and learn more about the HSBP: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/student-success/graduation/high-school-and-beyond-plan

Cell phones and other mobile devices are a distraction. Students having access to these tools during the school day crea...
06/23/2026

Cell phones and other mobile devices are a distraction. Students having access to these tools during the school day creates a barrier to student learning. A few weeks ago, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal called for a statewide โ€œaway for the dayโ€ policy to restrict student use of mobile devices during school hours.

In 2024, Superintendent Reykdal released guidance encouraging local school districts to adopt policies to limit student access to mobile devices during instructional time. A majority of districts took action, but a patchwork system of rules is inconsistent. A statewide restriction, as the Superintendent proposed, is needed.

Thereโ€™s longstanding bipartisan support around the issue. This article goes into detail on the various legislative proposals over the last few years. Take a look, then look over OSPIโ€™s guidance.

Washington State Standard article: https://tinyurl.com/43era54u

OSPI Guidance: https://tinyurl.com/yeypn869

Just ๐ŸŽ.๐Ÿ‘% of public school funding in Washington comes from timber sales. State Superintendent Chris Reykdal would like ...
06/19/2026

Just ๐ŸŽ.๐Ÿ‘% of public school funding in Washington comes from timber sales.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal would like the Legislature to fully fund basic education in our state and reinvest timber revenue to protect Washingtonโ€™s public lands.

Historically, the Superintendent of Public Instruction has served on the State Board of Natural Resources (BNR). Among other responsibilities, the BNR reviews and approves timber sales on public lands.

Read more in the Superintendentโ€™s recent op-ed for the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/wa-schools-chief-heres-why-i-vote-the-way-i-do-on-forests/

Happy ! This marks the fifth anniversary of the federal holiday's creation. The actual text of the law is included in ...
06/19/2026

Happy !

This marks the fifth anniversary of the federal holiday's creation. The actual text of the law is included in the post graphic.

History is part of the larger Washington State Social Studies Kโ€“12 Learning Standards. Part of this education includes lessons about Black American history.

Interested in learning more about Juneteenth? Check out our post from last year exploring the origin of this recognition.

https://tinyurl.com/4vxkmmde

06/18/2026

Washington's state constitution is clear: all students have the right to a basic education. All means ๐˜ฆ๐˜ท๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜บ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ, regardless of what you believe or where you're from. At OSPI, we donโ€™t create the laws - our role is to enforce the Equal Educational Opportunity laws passed by the legislature.

These state laws include 16 protected classes (see list below), which are designed to help ensure that students can access their education without discrimination.

Creating a welcoming environment isn't about indoctrination. It's about honoring rights enshrined in our state constitution. It's also an acknowledgment that our world is diverse. Today's students need a well-rounded education, which includes reading and math, along with understanding how to be part of a larger community, respect differences, and live alongside people with different lived experiences.

๐–๐š๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ง'๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐‚๐ฅ๐š๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ž๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐Šโ€“๐Ÿ๐Ÿ ๐„๐๐ฎ๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง

Race, color, national origin, creed, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military or veteran service, disability, use of a service animal or guide dog, immigration and citizenship status, ethnicity, homelessness, and neurodivergence.

06/17/2026

This Pride Month, we're celebrating LGBTQ+ students, families, educators, and community members. But it is also a reminder of the work we still have to do. ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ

While hope among Washington students is growing, LGBTQ+ youth continue to report feeling less hopeful about their futures than their peers. Schools have the power to change that by creating spaces where students are not only protected, but genuinely seen, affirmed, and supported.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal believes every student deserves the dignity of being recognized for who they are and the opportunity to imagine a bright future for themselves.



Washington State LGBTQ Commission

The Trump Administration announced earlier today that it is moving two key offices out of the Department of Education (E...
06/16/2026

The Trump Administration announced earlier today that it is moving two key offices out of the Department of Education (ED).

The offices responsible for overseeing the education and civil rights of students with disabilities will move from ED to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The office responsible for protecting students from discrimination will move from ED to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

"While many details remain unclear and significant questions remain about how this will be implemented, Washington will continue advocating for policies that strengthen educational opportunity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for students with disabilities," said State Superintendent Chris Reykdal. โ€œWe are proud of the progress we have made, and we aren't backing down."

Because Congress has not authorized the elimination of the agency, the Trump Administration is bypassing Congress's authority and using interagency agreements to transfer key aspects of EDโ€™s work to agencies with minimal or no role in Kโ€“12 education.

More about changes to the Department of Education: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/washington-remains-committed-protecting-student-civil-rights-among-trump-administrations-transfer

From the classroom to the garage, Washington's K-12 learning standards help students build the knowledge and skills need...
06/15/2026

From the classroom to the garage, Washington's K-12 learning standards help students build the knowledge and skills needed to keep their futures moving.

Students interested in automotive careers draw on science, mathematics, English language arts, and career and technical education to understand vehicle systems, diagnose problems, communicate clearly, and solve real-world challenges. ๐Ÿš—๐Ÿ”ง

Explore the carousel to see how these learning standards, pathways, and career clusters work together to support the next generation of mechanics and automotive professionals.

Construction is important, and Washington's Kโ€“12 students learn foundational skills for careers in this field through ma...
06/12/2026

Construction is important, and Washington's Kโ€“12 students learn foundational skills for careers in this field through math, physics, and CTE courses.

Still, instead of spending valuable time, energy, and money on building ballrooms and arches or hosting UFC fights, perhaps the federal government could focus on other projects. This could look like prioritizing lower costs for individuals and families or working with states to ensure that all students have the tools and resources they need to succeed.

Pictured: blueprint of OSPI building with arch, ballroom, and octagon added.

06/11/2026

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal recently met with graduates of the Class of 2026. The wide-ranging conversation included a discussion of what comes next for these new grads.

The answers varied, but one thing is clear: no matter what paths these grads take, the knowledge and skills they acquired during their Kโ€“12 years will help them succeed.


North Thurston Public Schools North Thurston High School

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Olympia, WA

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Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+13607256000

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