Supporting Connection and Learning during a Pandemic Rose Spidell, Senior Education Ombuds, OEO

August 2020

OEO website: www.oeo.wa.gov

1-866-297-2597

http://www.oeo.wa.gov/

History of the OEOTackling the Opportunity Gap in k-12 Washington State Public Schools

Founded by the state legislature in 2006

OEO’s Mission: We work with families, communities, and schools to navigate educational challenges and increase collaborative problem-solving so that every student can fully participate in and benefit from public education in Washington.

What OEO DoesWork statewide in our three roles (casework, training, and policy) to support students, families, and schools. Are: independent, informal, and impartial. We use collaborative problem-solving to resolve issues. Our work is free and confidential.Are not able to: investigate, enforce, provide legal advice, or promise certain outcomes.

Read more about how we work with families, educators and community professionals on our website: www.oeo.wa.gov/contact.

http://www.oeo.wa.gov/contact

Supporting Connections

Possibility for some “in person” supports

Attendance/Absence – to identify when connections are missing

Connections to individualized supports for students with IEPs, 504 plans

Connections through language access (bilingual staff, interpretation, translation)

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Prioritizing In-person Services, if they’re available

29. If districts cannot bring all students back to school each day, does OSPI have

expectations for prioritizing services?

Yes. Students furthest from educational justice and those who require in-person services to

fulfill their basic education needs should be districts’ highest priority. Students with disabilities

and those who did not or cannot have equitable access to learning with remote technologies

should be prioritized for in-person services.

What could this look like? Are there families you work with that you think might want to explore options for some in person supports/connections?

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Expectations for Attendance in Remote Learning –Monitoring and Responding

Emergency Rule re Attendance includes:

New definition for a “remote learning absence

New categories of excused absences in light of Covid

A delay before any absences may be counted toward a “truancy” process (until October 5)

New requirements for responding with supports, interventions if a student is absent

https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/bulletinsmemos/bulletins2020/B064-20_%20Emergency_Absence%20Rule_.pdf

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https://www.k12.wa.us/sites/default/files/public/bulletinsmemos/bulletins2020/B064-20_%20Emergency_Absence%20Rule_.pdf

What is Attendance/Absence in Remote Learning

“Remote learning absence”= when a student is not participating in planned instructional activities on a scheduled remote learning day.

Attending could be shown by:

• Daily logins to learning management systems;

• Daily interactions with teacher(s) to acknowledge attendance (including messages, emails, phone calls, or video chats); or

• Evidence of participation in a task or assignment.

What systems will your district be using to track attendance? Will you be able to get periodic reports regarding attendance of students you are supporting?

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Supporting Highly Mobile Students with an IEP

Does this student have an IEP?

Does this IEP cover the current time period?

Does this IEP reflect the services that the student is actually receiving now?

Does it include adjustments to address needs coming up now in remote learning?

Is the student struggling even with an up-to-date IEP and services?

Does the team need a re-evaluation to understand this student’s current needs?

Similar questions can be asked about a 504 Plan – is there one? Is it up to date? Does it include accommodations needed in a remote learning setting?

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Connections through Language AccessIdentifying needs for (1) bilingual services, (2) interpretation, and (3) translation

-for students

-for families

When possible, communicate directly in shared language (bilingual staff/families)

When that’s not possible, communicate directly with interpreter support

When written information is needed, communicate with translation

What are the resources you have available to connect with families in other languages? What resources do teachers have? Is there a method for families to initiate a call in their primary language?

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Interpretation Tips Card translated into:•Arabic_ _بطاقة نصائح الترجمة الفوریة Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card•Chinese_Simplified_口译提示卡_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card•Chinese_Traditional_口譯貼士卡片_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card•Korean_통역도우미카드_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card•Russian_Карта_с_подсказками_при_устном_переводе_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card•Somali_Kaarka_Tilmaamaha_Turjumaada_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card•Spanish_Consejos_de_Interpretación_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card•Tagalog_Kard_ng_mga_Tip_sa_Pagsasalin_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card•Vietnamese_Thẻ_Lời_khuyên_phiên_dịch_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card

https://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Arabic_%D8%A8%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9%20%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AD%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Chinese_Simplified_%E5%8F%A3%E8%AF%91%E6%8F%90%E7%A4%BA%E5%8D%A1_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Chinese_Traditional_%E5%8F%A3%E8%AD%AF%E8%B2%BC%E5%A3%AB%E5%8D%A1%E7%89%87_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Korean_%ED%86%B5%EC%97%AD%20%EB%8F%84%EC%9A%B0%EB%AF%B8%20%EC%B9%B4%EB%93%9C_Interpretation_Support_Tip_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Russian_%D0%9A%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0_%D1%81_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%B4%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8_%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8_%D1%83%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC_%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B5_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Somali_Kaarka_Tilmaamaha_Turjumaada_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Spanish_Consejos_de_Interpretaci%C3%B3n_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Tagalog_Kard_ng_mga_Tip_sa_Pagsasalin_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdfhttps://www.oeo.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/Vietnamese_Th%E1%BA%BB_L%E1%BB%9Di_khuy%C3%AAn_phi%C3%AAn_d%E1%BB%8Bch_Interpretation_Support_Tips_Card_2020.pdf

Stay in Touch with OEOContact Us:OEO’s website: www.oeo.wa.gov

OEO Email: oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov

Toll free phone: 1-866-297-2597 (interpreter services available)

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Twitter: @EdOmbuds

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��Supporting Connection and Learning during a Pandemic ��Rose Spidell, Senior Education Ombuds, OEO �August 2020History of the OEO�Tackling the Opportunity Gap in k-12 Washington State Public Schools What OEO DoesSupporting ConnectionsPrioritizing In-person Services, �if they’re availableExpectations for Attendance in Remote Learning – Monitoring and RespondingWhat is Attendance/Absence in �Remote LearningSupporting Highly Mobile Students �with an IEPSlide Number 9Connections through Language AccessSlide Number 11Slide Number 12Stay in Touch with OEO