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

Today's young people live in a world of rapid technological innovation. In the last 15–20 years, we've seen the rise of ...
08/31/2026

Today's young people live in a world of rapid technological innovation.

In the last 15–20 years, we've seen the rise of social media, smartphones, and Artificial Intelligence. There are definite benefits to this technology, but the advances we've made come at a cost.

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal joined Smart Social, a company focused on helping families stay safe online, to discuss the impact of modern technology on students and schools. The Superintendent goes into depth about cell phones, how to use AI responsibly, and the importance of digital literacy. He also talks about growing up in poverty as the youngest of 8 kids and why he chose to work in public education.

During the upcoming legislative session, Superintendent Reykdal will put forward an "away for the day" bill limiting access to cell phones and other smart devices during school hours.

Hear the Superintendent's conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJDbuA_Vdrs

08/28/2026

Back to school season is here! 🍎📚
Washington is welcoming students back for another year of learning, connection, and growth.

Our hearts are also with Eastern Washington communities whose school years may begin later because of wildfire smoke, damage, and ongoing risks. OSPI is committed to supporting these local schools and communities as they navigate the challenges ahead.

🌟To our students: Have an amazing school year. To families: Your engagement and partnership with your local schools make a meaningful difference. And to the educators, paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, and other school staff who make learning possible every day: Thank you for all you do.

As State Superintendent Chris Reykdal shares, the heart of public education is found in neighborhood schools, where students from diverse backgrounds come together to learn and grow as a community.

School buses are back on Washington roads! And that means it's time for a refresher on when to stop. 🚌🛑During a single d...
08/27/2026

School buses are back on Washington roads! And that means it's time for a refresher on when to stop. 🚌🛑

During a single day in 2026, Washington school bus drivers reported 960 illegal passes. If that pace continued across the 180-day school year, it would amount to more than 172,000 violations.

With nearly 341,000 Washington students riding the bus each day, knowing the rules matters.

🛑Flashing red lights or stop arm out? STOP.
🛑On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.
🛑On roads with three or more marked lanes, drivers traveling in the opposite direction generally do not have to stop, but drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus always do.

Illegally passing a stopped school bus carries a mandatory $500 fine.

Check out the graphic for a quick guide and read our full press release here: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/school-buses-are-back-know-when-stop to learn more about school bus safety, Washington's stopping laws, and what drivers should know as students head back to school.

When in doubt, stop!

08/26/2026

Limiting the use of cell phones and other mobile devices in classrooms reduces distractions and optimizes student learning. To create consistent expectations for students, families, and educators, Washington needs a statewide approach to limits on cell phone use during the school day.

OSPI has been engaged in this work since 2024, when State Superintendent Chris Reykdal urged Washington school districts to limit student access to cell phones and other mobile devices during instructional time.

“What we hear from students, families, and educators is that this kind of policy is most effective when it is implemented consistently,” said Superintendent Reykdal. “From all schools within the district to all classes within the school, there are fewer hurdles when the expectations for students are clear and uniform.”

Robert Eagle Staff Middle School in Seattle Public Schools shows what’s possible when phones are put away: students are more present, engaged in learning, and connected with each other.

As Principal Zachary Stowell puts it, change can be hard — especially at first. But when student learning is at stake, change is necessary.

In the 2027 Legislative Session, Superintendent Reykdal will propose legislation that, if passed, would require every Washington school district to adopt “away for the day” policy, with mobile devices stored away or left at home for the full school day. The policy would include necessary exceptions for medical and instructional needs.

For more information, please visit
🔗Nearly One-Third of Washington School Districts Have Yet to Adopt a Cell Phone Policy https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/nearly-one-third-washington-school-districts-have-yet-adopt-cell-phone-policy-new-data-show
🔗Superintendent Reykdal Publishes Guidance for Schools to Limit Cell Phones During Instructional Time https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/news-releases/superintendent-reykdal-publishes-guidance-schools-limit-cell-phones-during-instructional-time
🔗OSPI Guidance: Cell Phone and Smart Device Use in Schoolshttps://ospi.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/2024-08/cell-phone-and-smart-device-use-schools.pdf

Today, we join people across Washington and around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton. She was an extraordin...
08/25/2026

Today, we join people across Washington and around the world in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton. She was an extraordinary artist, philanthropist, and champion for children.

In 2023, Superintendent Reykdal interviewed Dolly as Washington celebrated the statewide expansion of her Imagination Library. Watch their conversation here: https://youtu.be/apOxWvLsvQs

Learn more about Imagination Library of Washington and its work to provide free books to children from birth to age 5.

One meaningful way we can honor Dolly's legacy is to carry it forward. OSPI is again asking Governor Bob Ferguson and the Legislature to fully restore the state's share of funding for the Imagination Library, helping ensure young children across Washington can continue receiving free books each month.

08/24/2026

State Superintendent Chris Reykdal recently received a special delivery from a Bellingham Public Schools student named Sallie. It’s a handmade zine about school funding! 📖

For a social studies project, students picked topics they wanted to research. They gathered information and then had to determine an action step with the goal of getting others to engage with the material. Sallie chose school funding. She wrote and illustrated the zine, then sent it directly to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Sallie and Superintendent Reykdal connected to chat about the project, why she chose this particular topic, and the power students have to speak up about the issues shaping their education.

🎬 Watch the full reel to learn more!


All students deserve a future built on opportunity.Invest in the future. Protect public education.
08/21/2026

All students deserve a future built on opportunity.

Invest in the future. Protect public education.

Whether it's food, gas, or basic supplies, everything feels more expensive nowadays. Rising costs strain budgets, not j...
08/19/2026

Whether it's food, gas, or basic supplies, everything feels more expensive nowadays.

Rising costs strain budgets, not just for individuals and families, but also for school districts. An increasing number of districts are struggling under the weight of rising prices.

Yet, the overall percentage of the state budget reserved for K–12 public education is steadily declining and now stands at 43%. Public education is a commitment to our students. It's a down payment on the future. We can’t afford not to make this investment.

Ferndale School District Superintendent Dr. Kristi Dominguez created Washington's first Transition to Kindergarten (TK) ...
08/19/2026

Ferndale School District Superintendent Dr. Kristi Dominguez created Washington's first Transition to Kindergarten (TK) program during her tenure with Bellingham Public Schools. "It was just closed door, closed door, closed door,” said Dominguez of her conversations with families who couldn't find preschool for their children. “There’s just so much need. As a state, we’re not even serving close to half of our state’s 4-year-olds.”

Dominguez's program helped fill a need in her community. Later, she worked with OSPI and State Superintendent Chris Reykdal to expand TK to other districts across the state.

Washington ranks 33rd nationally in preschool access for 4-year-olds. The Governor and Legislature's decision to reduce TK funding by 25% further strains a preschool system that couldn't meet demand before the cuts. TK is designed to support families who don't qualify for other preschool programs or can't afford private-pay.

Superintendent Dominguez spoke at length about the TK program, its benefits to families, the importance of early childhood education, and the impact of the cuts on her district for a story about TK.

Click to read: https://ospi.k12.wa.us/about-ospi/news-center/stories/cuts-transition-kindergarten-program-limit-access-high-quality-early-learning


Ferndale Schools

Rising costs and a decreased commitment from the Legislature mean more and more schools are facing financial hardship. L...
08/17/2026

Rising costs and a decreased commitment from the Legislature mean more and more schools are facing financial hardship. Last weekend’s editorial from The Columbian newspaper outlines the issues facing schools. Budget shortages affect local schools, often leading to staff cuts and the loss of programs needed to help students succeed.

This isn't just an issue in Clark County. Schools across the state are struggling.

“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”

It’s time to fully fund public education. Public education's share of the state budget has steadily declined from roughly 52% a few years ago to just 43% now.

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Olympia, WA

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

Telephone

+13607256000

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