OSPI Rulemaking Activity

Competency-Based Education (emergency rules): The purpose of the emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students enrolled in competency-based education programs identified by the State Board of Education as required by Senate Bill 5189 (2025). This is a renewal of emergency rules. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.

Running Start (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to expand access to running start in alignment with SSHB 1316 (2023) and ESSSB 5670 (2024), expand state funding for students receiving special education funding who turn twenty-one (21) in alignment with SSB 5253 (2025), and clarify which students can be claimed for Running Start funding for the first count of a college term. Additionally, the rules provide for funding, reporting, and administration of participating student's enrollment in running start courses. This is a renewal of emergency rules as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

College in the High School (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to amend College in the High School rules in alignment with SB 5048 (2023) that eliminated fees for students. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

Transition to Kindergarten (emergency rules): In accordance with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6260 (2026) and RCW 28A.300.072, OSPI is amending chapter 392-425 WAC to adopt emergency rules authorizing local education agencies to charge sliding scale fees for enrollment in the transition to kindergarten (TK) program and to establish rules related to the allocation of state funding for TK programs. Emergency rule adoption is necessary to implement statutory changes enacted by the Washington State Legislature, and to ensure school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools have the rules and guidance necessary for implementation during the 2026-27 school year, including enrollment, budgeting, and program planning timelines. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.

Special Education Programs - K-3 Class Size, PSES, and Certificated Instructional Staff Ratio Compliance Calculations (renewal of emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules regarding how special education staff will apply to K-3 class size, physical, social, and emotional support (PSES), and the certificated instructional staff ratio compliance calculations after changes were made to the special education allocation in Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5263 (2025). OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.  

Interfund Loans - Capital Projects Fund (renewal of emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules concerning the sale of school district real property who are in binding conditions in alignment with Substitute Senate Bill 5412 (2025). Additionally, as provided in this same bill, the emergency rulemaking would address the charging of interest when districts are in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight for temporary interfund loan from its capital projects fund. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.  

Competency-Based Education (emergency rules): The purpose of the emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students enrolled in competency-based education programs identified by the State Board of Education as required by Senate Bill 5189 (2025). This is a renewal of emergency rules. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.

Running Start (updated CR-103E and emergency rule language): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to expand access to running start in alignment with SSHB 1316 (2023) and ESSSB 5670 (2024), expand state funding for students receiving special education funding who turn twenty-one (21) in alignment with SSB 5253 (2025), and clarify which students can be claimed for Running Start funding for the first count of a college term. Additionally, the rules provide for funding, reporting, and administration of participating student's enrollment in running start courses. This is a renewal of emergency rules as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

College in the High School (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to amend College in the High School rules in alignment with SB 5048 (2023) that eliminated fees for students. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

School Seismic Safety Program Implementation (renewal of emergency rules): The Washington State Legislature enacted Substitute Senate Bill 5933 in 2022, which requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to implement the School Seismic Safety Program to allow districts to receive seismic funds and be eligible to receive funding from the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP). In alignment with SSB 5933 (2022), the emergency rules establish grant funding procedures concerning the School Seismic Safety Program. OSPI’s current school construction rules do not provide a process that would allow OSPI to timely or effectively award these grant funds during the biennium. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning the School Seismic Safety Program. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

Note: The permanent rules become effective on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Any previous emergency rules that were in place will no longer be in effect on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Special Education Programs - K-3 Class Size, PSES, and Certificated Instructional Staff Ratio Compliance Calculations (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules regarding how special education staff will apply to K-3 class size, physical, social, and emotional support (PSES), and the certificated instructional staff ratio compliance calculations after changes were made to the special education allocation in Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5263 (2025). OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.  

Interfund Loans - Capital Projects Fund (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules concerning the sale of school district real property who are in binding conditions in alignment with Substitute Senate Bill 5412 (2025). Additionally, as provided in this same bill, the emergency rulemaking would address the charging of interest when districts are in binding conditions or under enhanced financial oversight for temporary interfund loan from its capital projects fund. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.  

Competency-Based Education (emergency rules): The purpose of the emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students enrolled in competency-based education programs identified by the State Board of Education as required by Senate Bill 5189 (2025). This is a renewal of emergency rules. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.

Running Start (updated CR-103E and emergency rule language): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to expand access to running start in alignment with SSHB 1316 (2023) and ESSSB 5670 (2024), expand state funding for students receiving special education funding who turn twenty-one (21) in alignment with SSB 5253 (2025), and clarify which students can be claimed for Running Start funding for the first count of a college term. Additionally, the rules provide for funding, reporting, and administration of participating student's enrollment in running start courses. This is a renewal of emergency rules as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

College in the High School (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to amend College in the High School rules in alignment with SB 5048 (2023) that eliminated fees for students. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

School Seismic Safety Program Implementation (renewal of emergency rules): The Washington State Legislature enacted Substitute Senate Bill 5933 in 2022, which requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to implement the School Seismic Safety Program to allow districts to receive seismic funds and be eligible to receive funding from the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP). In alignment with SSB 5933 (2022), the emergency rules establish grant funding procedures concerning the School Seismic Safety Program. OSPI’s current school construction rules do not provide a process that would allow OSPI to timely or effectively award these grant funds during the biennium. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning the School Seismic Safety Program. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

Note: The permanent rules become effective on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Any previous emergency rules that were in place will no longer be in effect on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Interfund Loans (emergency rules): The purpose of this amended WAC is to allow school districts in binding conditions to loan money from their transportation vehicle fund (TVF) to their general fund in order to maintain a positive cash flow in their general fund. When other binding condition efforts fail to resolve the district’s financial issues and insolvency is imminent, and to ensure that the district will have a positive cash flow to meet obligations, they need to be able to borrow from the TVF. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

Note: The permanent rules become effective on December 20, 2025 (WSR 25-24-001). To avoid overlap, OSPI is rescinding the CR-103E renewal filing (WSR 25-20-038), effective December 20, 2025.

Competency-Based Education (emergency rules): The purpose of the emergency rulemaking is to adopt rules to authorize full-time enrollment funding for students enrolled in competency-based education programs identified by the State Board of Education as required by Senate Bill 5189 (2025). OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules. 

Running Start (updated CR-103E and emergency rule language): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to expand access to running start in alignment with SSHB 1316 (2023) and ESSSB 5670 (2024), expand state funding for students receiving special education funding who turn twenty-one (21) in alignment with SSB 5253 (2025), and clarify which students can be claimed for Running Start funding for the first count of a college term. Additionally, the rules provide for funding, reporting, and administration of participating student's enrollment in running start courses. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning these rules.

College in the High School (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to amend College in the High School rules in alignment with SB 5048 (2023) that eliminated fees for students. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

School Seismic Safety Program Implementation (emergency rules): The Washington State Legislature enacted Substitute Senate Bill 5933 in 2022, which requires the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to implement the School Seismic Safety Program to allow districts to receive seismic funds and be eligible to receive funding from the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP). In alignment with SSB 5933 (2022), the emergency rules establish grant funding procedures concerning the School Seismic Safety Program. OSPI’s current school construction rules do not provide a process that would allow OSPI to timely or effectively award these grant funds during the biennium. OSPI will also conduct permanent rulemaking concerning the School Seismic Safety Program.

Note: The permanent rules become effective on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Any previous emergency rules that were in place will no longer be in effect on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Interfund Loans (emergency rules): The purpose of this amended WAC is to allow school districts in binding conditions to loan money from their transportation vehicle fund (TVF) to their general fund in order to maintain a positive cash flow in their general fund. When other binding condition efforts fail to resolve the district’s financial issues and insolvency is imminent, and to ensure that the district will have a positive cash flow to meet obligations, they need to be able to borrow from the TVF.  

Student Discipline (renewal of emergency rules): OSPI is adopting emergency rulemaking in the area of student discipline with revisions that are intended to: (1) update statutory definitions of discipline that are in alignment with current law; (2) require school boards to establish policies for reporting and notification when classroom exclusions occur; (3) clarify the scope of authority for teachers when administering classroom exclusions; (4) make evident the standards and procedures that educators must follow to maintain an optimal learning environment for all students; (5) promote the involvement of families as integral partners in helping students to be successful, and (6) ensure manageable data and reporting requirements from each level of the system, where applicable (i.e., classroom, school, district, state, etc.). Adopting these rule updates before the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year would allow these critical changes involving the health and safety of both students and educators to take effect immediately. 

Note: The permanent rules become effective on Friday, July 11, 2025. Any previous emergency rules that were in place will no longer be in effect on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Running Start (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to expand access to running start in alignment with HB 1316 (2023). The rules provide for funding, reporting, and administration of participating student’s enrollment in running start courses. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.

Note: On August 29, 2025, OSPI rescinded this CR-103E renewal filing (WSR 25-10-058) in order to file an updated CR-103E (WSR 25-18-078), which includes language updates to the emergency rules regarding Running Start.

College in the High School (emergency rules): The purpose of this emergency rulemaking is to amend College in the High School rules in alignment with SB 5048 (2023) that eliminated fees for students. This is a renewal of emergency rule filing as OSPI continues to conduct permanent rulemaking.