Open Doors Youth Reengagement Getting Started Toolkit

Open Doors Videos 

Watch our collection of Open Doors Youth Reengagement videos for:

  • Partnership models 
  • Splitting FTE
  • Compliance Questions

Open Doors Youth Reengagement is a system that provides education and services to older youth, ages 16-21, who have dropped out of school or are not expected to graduate from high school by the age of 21. The Getting Started Toolkit is a collection of instructions, templates, and documents needed to either:

  1. Start an Open Doors program, or
  2. Update or expand an existing program, including adding new pathways and/or partners.

Please Note: It takes approximately 1-3 months to be approved for an Open Doors 1418 Youth Reengagement program. Please thoroughly review the application prep information, steps to apply, and approval process below.

Application Prep

1. Read the Planning & Application Guidance

2. Review the Open Doors Theory of Action

3. Determine the Open Doors Pathway(s) your program will offer to students

4. Open the next expandable menu, “Application Materials,” and download and/or complete each of the required documents (A-D)

Get inspired! Read through the Program Profiles:

 

Application Materials

Download and/or complete each of the required documents (A-D, below). Items A-D must be uploaded into the Open Doors Application Form.

A.  Signed Letter of Assurance: A letter of assent from the school district stating the district agrees to Open Doors assurances. Must be signed and dated by the district superintendent. 

Note on Technical Colleges: In rare cases, a technical college can directly apply to operate an Open Doors 1418 program. In that event, the direct-funded college must complete the letter of assurance. Contact mandy.paradise@k12.wa.us for additional information.

B. Program Narrative: Describes in detail the program/pathways, the curriculums offered (e.g. vocational, contracted services such as online curriculum providers, etc.), case management supports, and other required elements. The Program Narrative should be aligned with the Program Flow Chart.

C. Program Flow Chart: Provides a visual, step-by-step representation and the sequence of operations related to student entry, decision points, options, and experience. Flow charts generally include the youth referral process, orientation, assessment for placement, and available student pathways or options. See this example of a flow chart, no template is provided.

D. Program Calendar: Identifies the number of program hours available from September 1st through August 31st. No template is provided by OSPI. A minimum of 1000 hours of instruction must be offered; a minimum of 2 hours per day and no more than 6 hours per day.

 Templates and Resources for District Use

Scope of Work: An agreement that states the program partners and lead agency agree to the WAC. This template aids districts and their partner(s) in working together to implement the Open Doors 1418 program through partnership models. This does not need to be submitted to OSPI.  

District in Partnership with an Organization

District in Partnership with a College 

Partnership with Juvenile Justice Institution

ESD-led (Consortium)

Outline of Intent: The Outline of Intent is simply a resource for districts to use in their implementation planning. A similar document was formerly used as an agreement between the district and OSPI to adhere to WAC requirements. OSPI now collects a Letter of Assurance in place of the former Letter of Intent.

Contracted Service Agreements: Required for some instances where program components related to the WAC are being contracted by another agency or provider that may not qualify into a partnership agreement. No template is provided by OSPI.

 

Program Assurances

Assurance 1: Program Purpose and Authority (WAC 392-700-001)

Districts that elect to offer Open Doors Youth Reengagement programs targeted for youth ages 16–21 who have dropped out or are not on track to graduate by age 21, agree to follow rules set by OSPI.

Assurance 2: Definitions (WAC 392-700-015)

Districts must use OSPI’s definitions as outlined in WAC 392-700-015 for terms like “program,” “student,” “agency,” “college,” and “scope of work.” These definitions govern eligibility, funding, and operations. This includes “indicators of academic progress” as it applies within the program.

Assurance 3: Student Eligibility (WAC 392-700-035)

Students must be under 21 years of age at the beginning of the school year but whose 16th birthday occurs on or before September 1st. Some students may be served while age 22 dependent upon special education eligibility.  Students may either be dropped out or not earning enough credits to graduate by age 21. Students must reside in Washington and not be enrolled in another basic education program, except those allowed under Open Doors rules.

Assurance 4: Operating Requirements (WAC 392-700-042)

Districts, tribal compact schools, charter schools, and ESDs may operate reengagement programs. Consortiums must serve students across districts and reduce administrative burden. Technical colleges may operate programs under WAC 392-121-187. All programs must be approved by OSPI. OSPI provides required documents, assigns codes, and sets approval terms. Online programs require separate OSPI approval.

Assurance 5: Instruction (WAC 392-700-065)

Instruction must be designed to help students earn high school credits, build high school-level skills, and prepare for college or work; GED prep and testing are allowable. Instruction must match each student’s skill level. Instruction at 9th grade level or higher earns credit; below 9th grade does not but counts toward FTE. Programs must assess math and reading levels within one month of enrollment. Staff-to-student ratios must be met, and instruction will be delivered by certified teachers or college faculty.

Assurance 6: Case Managers (WAC 392-700-085)

Programs must have case management staff who support students with academic planning, career help, job referrals, and access to health and social services. Each full-time case manager can work with up to 75 students. Staff are based at school sites but may meet students in the community.

Assurance 7: Award of credit (WAC 392-700-137)

Credit is awarded quarterly. Up to 1.0 credit is given for passing GED tests, with more possible for preparation. A 0.5 credit is awarded for significant test score gains if high school-level skills are shown and coursework is completed. At least 0.25 elective credit is given for mastering work or college readiness skills. Colleges and districts decide diploma awards and credit articulation. All credits must be reported per OSPI rules.

Assurance 8: Special Education, Section 504, and language acquisition instruction (WAC 392-700-147)

The district must provide special education services through an IEP, accommodation through a 504 plan, and transitional bilingual services for eligible students. These services must follow state and federal laws; The district is responsible for ensuring all plans are correctly developed and implemented.

Assurance 9: Statewide Student Assessment (WAC 392-700-152)

Ensure students take statewide assessments required for graduation and accountability. The entity with the school code must give these tests to all enrolled students.

Assurance 10: Annual Reporting Calendar (WAC 392-700-155)

The school year is from September 1 to August 31, with at least ten instructional months. Instructional days must be between two and six hours, and total yearly instruction must be at least 1,000 hours. College programs must also identify instructional days and meet the ten-month minimum.

Assurance 11: Reporting of Student Enrollment (WAC 392-700-160)

Basic education funding (apportionment) may be claimed for eligible students who meet participation and enrollment criteria. Claims must follow OSPI guidance and be supported by documentation. Below 100-level classes require academic progress to continue funding. College-level FTE is based on credits (15 credits = 1.0 FTE). Vocational funding applies only to approved college-level vocational courses.

Assurance 12: Funding and Reimbursement (WAC 392-700-165)

OSPI funds programs based on student enrollment. Districts, tribal compact schools, charter schools, and technical colleges keep 100% of funds if they run the program directly. If a program is run by a college or agency under contract, the district may keep up to 7%. In consortium models, the district may keep up to 5%, and the consortium lead up to 7%. The remaining funds go to the operating college or agency.

Assurance 13: Required documentation and reporting (WAC 392-700-175)

Submit monthly enrollment data and keep records showing student eligibility, enrollment, attendance, academic progress, weekly check-ins, and case management support. All records must follow privacy laws. Programs must also report student data to OSPI through CEDARS. An annual report with student demographics, progress, credentials, and enrollment details must be submitted by October 1, and reviewed and forwarded to OSPI by November 1 using the required EDS reporting tool.

Assurance 14: Longitudinal performance goals (WAC 392-700-195)

Programs must collect and report student data for long-term tracking through Washington’s P-20 system. ERDC identifies student cohorts and tracks outcomes for five years. ERDC will publish annual reports on program outcomes.

How to Apply
  1. Complete the required application materials (items A-D).
  2. Obtain signatures and maintain a file with your district’s Scope(s) of Work or other MOUs and/or partnership agreements.
  3. Submit the signed and completed documents to OSPI using the Open Doors Application form.

Submission tips: The district or college that is directly operating the program should be the entity to submit the application materials. Alternatively, if it is a partnership or consortium, the lead partner in a partnership or consortium may submit. A district contact should always be included.

Approval Process

Once the online form is submitted, OSPI will review the application materials. The review process may take between 1 and 3 months.

OSPI may request revisions to the approval documentation to align with the intent of WAC 392-700.

Once OSPI has approved the program, the submitter will receive an email stating that the program is approved. This email contains instructions and action steps required to officially launch the Open Doors 1418 Youth Reengagement program.

The program may begin reporting enrollment following the date provided at approval.

Expanding or Adding to an Open Doors Program

Districts may add pathways and partnerships. This requires prior approval by OSPI. Each pathway is issued a unique qualification code. To launch a new pathway, a new qualification code is required. Launching a new pathway requires following the application process and submitting it through the online form.