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STATEWIDE SUPPORT FOR DISTRICT CHANGE
Inclusionary Practices Project
Transforming student outcomes across Washington state As the 2021–22 school year begins, WASA’s Inclusionary Practices Project enters its program year as well. With nearly 60 districts continuing and/or beginning this journey to supporting more fully inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities, it’s going to be an exciting adventure! The project is based on the following Theory of Action: “If we provide the assistance needed to help districts increase supports and resources for teachers of targeted students and deepen districts’ understanding of what is needed to plan and implement Universal Design for Learning/Inclusionary Practices work across a district system, then the percentage of those targeted students placed/successfully participating in core classes and feeling safe and welcomed in their school will increase.”
“This work has propelled our district into making significant changes in culture and academic experiences for all students.”
Fueled by the passion, experience, and expertise of Dr. Katie Novak and her associates, districts participate in relevant professional learning to increase their knowledge of Universal Design for Learning. Additionally, participating districts engage in developing and putting in place the systems necessary to achieve their vision of positive outcomes for all students. The work of the project moves the districts from merely placing students with disabilities in general education settings to what is truly an inclusionary placement—one where all students get what they need. Many of the districts’ leadership teams have used this project to unify disparate initiatives under the broader category of equity for all and, thereby, increase the likelihood of creating a coherent system. The WASA Inclusionary Practices Project Team offers additional support to the District Leadership Team, most specifically
to the District Team Facilitator, through ongoing meetings, resource sharing, and technical assistance.
“UDL isn’t just choices — it is about clear learning targets, variability, breaking down barriers, teaching student executive functioning and 21st-century skills and so much more.” 2020–21 IPP Participant For more information about the project, please contact Helene Paroff.
2020–21 IPP Participant
SIRS
The Reliable Information Network. Find out more about the benefits of becoming a SIRS member district. SIRS is a nonprofit organization that provides data and information on school organization, administration, operation, finance, and instruction to specifically meet the needs of superintendents, central office administrators, principals, and school board members. SIRS contracts with WASA for management services. Andy Wolf, WASA’s Assistant Executive Director for Administrative Services, serves as the SIRS Executive Director.
LEADERSHIP INFORMATION (LI) LI is a series of monthly and quarterly articles that will help to shape and inform your educational leadership practice. These articles contain relevant school information research on the best practices being utilized in today’s educational setting. SIRS has partnered with Hanover Research to provide this service to our members. SIRS SALARY SURVEY REPORTS SIRS annually compiles and publishes a timely salary-and-benefits report of Washington’s school employees in three parts: 1) administrators, 2) classified personnel, and 3) teachers. Only SIRS members can access the full online surveys. The Excel spreadsheets, allowing members to create specialized reports by grouping information for any position from any size district.
SIRS LEGISLATIVE HANDBOOK SIRS Legislative Handbook is an annual guide to the Washington State Legislature. It provides school administrators and professional associations with information about our state government including directories, website links and email addresses, legislative maps, and much more. The handbook is a valuable tool for participating effectively in the legislative process. It is also an excellent addition for social studies classrooms and school libraries. The handbook is available online to SIRS members and can be downloaded and distributed to your staff.