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We would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you in our Open Doors community for the dedication and daily support of At-Promise students.
You have stepped up to this year's challenge of finding and providing connection during pandemic times, and students are connecting and succeeding because of your efforts.
It is our honor to support this dedicated community of instructional and case management leaders. Thank you for all you do to make a difference in the lives of Washington state's youth.
We look forward to seeing you in 2021!
OSPI's emergency rules for face-to-face contact are being extended through the 2020-2021 school year.
Many programs are still struggling to provide the required two hours of face-to-face contact each month during the school closures. This is especially challenging in short months like December. Here are some reminders and strategies for making that contact:
- Face-to-face contact can be with any staff member assigned to your Open Doors program.
- You can use multiple methods of contact: phone, email, messaging/texting (make sure they can be saved for multiple years), digital meetings (Zoom, Teams, etc.).
- Include the time for developing, writing, reading, and processing the contact method, as long as it can be reasonably interpreted as near-synchronous time.
- Face-to-face time is cumulative - the 2 hours can be spread out throughout the month.
- You are welcome to include multiple students at once in your communication method - provide mini-lessons, check-ins, common topics of support (how to access the online platform, community services, tips & tricks, etc.).
- Take advantage of the "office hours" practice and invite students to check in and do coursework during these times.
Currently, our guidance does not include asynchronous online coursework as face-to-face time.
See the full guidance for the emergency rules for face-to-face contact during the 2020-2021 school year on our website.
Per WAC 392-700-065, unlike some limits in prototypical schools, Open Doors funds have greater flexibility in use, as long as they relate to instruction.
WAC 392-700-065(1)(e): (e) The program will provide all instruction, tuition, and required academic skills assessments at no cost to the students, but may collect mandatory fees as established by each program. (i) Consumable supplies, textbooks, and other materials that are retained by the student do not constitute tuition or a fee. (ii) Programs are encouraged to offer a waiver or scholarship process.
They may:
- Pay for student's GED testing (this also allows your program to claim the IAP if they pass the test).
- Pay for industry certification instruction (this also allows your program to claim the IAP if they achieve the certification).
- Provide required instructional materials and kits
- Focus on materials normally provided in an in-person program.
- Offer scholarships for students to help with course fees and additional requirements that help students access their scheduled instruction.
Community Partnerships
Programs are encouraged to develop partnerships in their community to further provide support for basic needs, including food, clothing, housing, transportation passes, etc.
TC Futures became a GED testing center through Pearson VUE at the end of June. While other testing centers were forced to close their doors, TC Futures shifted its focus to creating the safest testing environment possible. The contactless process for check-in includes the following:
-Thermal scanner
-Health-screening tool
-Masks and social distancing
-Plexiglass divider between staff and student
-An isolated testing space that can be completely sanitized between uses.
The entire process is safer than going grocery shopping or getting a haircut! By the end of 2020, we will have provided more than 100 tests for our students that would have otherwise had to wait for other testing centers to open. This has translated to 16 GED graduates already, 5 students that will take their last test before the end of the month, and many more working on their final tests.
TC Futures has also made it a priority this year to connect youth and young adults to the trades. We are extremely grateful for the connections that we have with IBEW (Electrical Union) and LIUNA (Laborer’s Union). We are also excited to have our first cohort with the Carpenter’s Union this spring. On top of that, we have had various youth participate in paid work experiences with local employers. I think about the many youth and young adults that were connected to jobs in construction, and gained skills that will last a lifetime.
While we love seeing our students find success in education and employment, we all know there are many factors that have kept them from being successful in these areas in the past. As coronavirus restrictions continue to change, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for those youth who need a Washington license or identification. It has been incredible to see our staff go the extra mile to ensure that youth are able to get an appointment with the Department of Licensing, that they have the necessary documentation, and have even helped these youth pay for their identification through our partnership with Career Path Services.
~ Mark Wheaton, TC Futures Center Director
To share your program's stories, send them to Liz Quayle, OSPI
Announcing: The State of Innovation Challenge – A virtual career connected problem solving challenge for middle school, high school, and opportunity youth statewide.
The Challenge invites students to solve one of three Challenge cases – real problems facing the state today:
Teachers can scale participation based on needs and capacity; students can submit solutions in a variety of formats.
The Challenge is offered by the STEM Education Innovation Alliance, in partnership with Career Connect Washington, 4-H Washington, Junior Achievement, OSPI, WSAC, ESD, and the Governor’s office.
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2021 Alternative Learning Experience Administrators Meeting - January 14, 2021, via Zoom. Register here. While this focus is on ALE, Open Doors program staff are welcome.
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WALA Spring Conference - February 25-26, 2021, via Zoom. For more information, follow the WALA website.
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GATE Equity Webinar Series - Regular monthly webinars. Information and registration available through the GATE website.
2020-2021 Newsletters
August: Fall Considerations
September: Fall Updates and High School & Beyond
October: Strengths-based Focus
November: Special Education & 504 Plans
Contact Liz Quayle for previous years' newsletter topics.
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