OSPI Building Closure – August 7
OSPI will be closed on Thursday, August 7, from 1 to 4 pm for an all-staff meeting. Certification staff will not be available from noon to 5 pm that day.
OSPI will be closed on Thursday, August 7, from 1 to 4 pm for an all-staff meeting. Certification staff will not be available from noon to 5 pm that day.
The Washington State Legislature funded the Outdoor Learning Grants Program from 2023 – 2025 to develop and support outdoor educational experiences for students in all geographic regions and include high levels of accessibility for students with disabilities. SSHB 2078 provided funding for allocation grants to schools and districts to support outdoor education experiences for all students. The grant programs were administered by OSPI and are not funded for the 2025-27 biennium.
This portion of SSHB 2078 supports allocation-based grants for schools, tribal schools, school districts, and Educational Service Districts to develop or support outdoor educational experiences. Outdoor education programs should be aligned with the Washington State content learning standards and the development of social and emotional learning skills. Programs are encouraged to review the Since Time Immemorial Curriculum developed by the Office of Native Education at OSPI and infuse traditional ecological knowledge into the field experiences for students.
Schools and school districts participating in overnight outdoor school for 5th or 6th graders with related experiences for high school counselors should apply for funding through Outdoor Schools Washington.
Applications will be reviewed after the September 2, 2024 due date.
Projects may be funded up to $40,000. Eligible applicants must serve students historically underserved in science, including and not limited to:
Grant activities can include:
Please login to EGMS for more information.
Learn more about Outdoor Learning Grants in this short video,
OSPI shall award grants to eligible school districts, federally recognized tribes, and outdoor education program providers. OSPI may consult with the Washington RCO in awarding grants under this section.
This portion of SHB 2078 supports competitive grants for federally recognized tribes and outdoor education providers to support existing capacity and to increase future capacity for outdoor learning experiences.
Please visit the RCO website for more information.
The purpose of the outdoor education experiences program is to develop and support outdoor learning opportunities for fifth and sixth-grade students in Washington public schools, with related opportunities for high school students to volunteer as counselors. The program will consist of hands-on learning experiences that are:
OSPI may work with a statewide nonprofit organization representing school principals to create guidelines for the program established by this section.
The priority focus of OSPI must be given to schools that have been identified for improvement through the Washington school improvement framework and communities historically underserved by science education. These communities can include, but are not limited to:
For more information, please visit the Washington School Principals Education Foundation Website.
Outdoor Schools Washington Grants provide additional funding for overnight learning experiences through Outdoor Schools Washington.
Research shows that kids who participate in outdoor educational activities are more likely to graduate, are better behaved in school, and have improved relationships with peers. They also have higher academic achievement, better critical thinking skills, and more direct experience with scientific concepts in the field. Outdoor learning helps students develop leadership and collaboration skills and a deeper engagement with learning, place, and community.
This video series features Freedom Farmers, an Olympia-based alternative learning program where students earn all their core graduation credits while working on a farm. The mission of the Freedom Farm is to create a high school experience that utilizes place-based learning and social justice as frameworks for education. This results in authentic, student-driven, and engaging learning experiences to create informed, empowered, and passionate students. Students go on to do relevant and important work in our community and world now and in the future.
The farm also provides food to all the schools in the district, SafePlace Olympia, the Thurston County Food Bank, and Summer Kids in Parks Program (SKIPP).