WaKIDS Training and Webinars

WaKIDS logo

WaKIDS Office Hours

We invite administrators and teachers to attend our office hours to discuss any questions or concerns related to WaKIDS implementation.

Office Hours take place every 1st Wednesday of the month at 10 am.

Contact Information

The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process designed to ensure children have a successful start to their K-12 experience. By connecting the key adults in a child's life, WaKIDS fosters a supportive environment for young learners. Training sessions are available for kindergarten teachers, Transition to Kindergarten teachers, Special Education teachers working with kindergarteners, administrators, and support staff. 

Required WaKIDS 101

The WaKIDS 101 2025-26 summer training is now available for registration for any of the following sessions:

  • July 9 – August 6
  • August 13 – September10
  • September 17 – October 22

To register, please visit the WaKIDS 101 Course Registration Survey.

WaKIDS 101 | Frequently Asked Question: This document answers frequently asked questions about getting started with WaKIDS 101. Please consult this letter before contacting the OSPI WaKIDS Team or your WaKIDS 101 instructor.

Logging Into Your WaKIDS for the First Time video shows you how to log into Canvas for the first time.

Note: Participants will have from the start date of the monthly session to the end date to complete their course. The amount of time they have available will depend on when they register, and no extensions will be granted. The whole course takes approximately 16 hours to complete. 16 clock hours will be provided after completion.

Any WaKIDS-related questions can be directed to wakids@k12.wa.us.

Optional WaKIDS Trainings

The following optional WaKIDS trainings are now available for registration!

Training Descriptions

WaKIDS 101

WaKIDS 101 is a one-time, asynchronous online training required for all kindergarten teachers new to WaKIDS, including Transition to Kindergarten and Special Education teachers. The course includes the Interrater Reliability (IRR) and must be completed within the monthly session timeframe.

The training covers all three components of WaKIDS: Family Connection, Early Learning Collaboration, and Whole-child Assessment. It also explores high-quality full-day kindergarten elements, documentation, observation, and the SmartTeach™ platform. Teachers will learn how observation supports effective, developmentally appropriate instruction and how to create a high-quality kindergarten environment. Strategies and resources for collecting and leveling documentation are also included.

While the course is self-paced, WaKIDS 101 instructors are available throughout the training and host optional weekly office hours. 16 clock hours will be provided after completion.

WaKIDS for District and School Administrators Course

Elevate your leadership and make a lasting impact with WaKIDS. This course is designed for district and school administrators, principals, assistant principals, early learning coordinators, district office administrators, and school board members. This transformative, three-hour asynchronous training provides comprehensive insights into WaKIDS components and SmartTeach™ functionalities.

Learn how to leverage SmartTeach™ report functionalities to support teachers, streamline data collection, and perform insightful analysis. You will have access to tools that support teachers and enhance student outcomes. Additionally, you will have access to a variety of report cards that can be used during family-teacher conferences, ensuring every child receives the best possible support.

Don't miss this opportunity to lead with confidence and expertise. Contact your District Assessment Coordinator for SmartTeach™ access. Please note that completion of the course does not allow the participant to administer the Whole-child Assessment component of WaKIDS.

WaKIDS 101 Refresher Course

Are you an educator who has completed WaKIDS 101? Don't miss this critical opportunity to enhance your teaching skills and make a lasting impact on your students. This five-hour, self-paced course is designed to refresh your knowledge on Family Connection, Early Learning Collaboration, and high-quality kindergarten classroom components. Dive deeper into Whole-Child Assessment, documentation, and SmartTeach™. Earn five clock hours and complete the course anytime within the training period.

WaKIDS Support Staff Course

Get ready to embark on this dynamic, three-hour, self-paced asynchronous training designed for paraprofessionals, specialists, librarians, coaches, counselors, psychologists, and anyone else supporting kindergarten teachers, Transitional Kindergarten teachers, and Special Education teachers. You'll play a crucial role in assisting with the Whole-child Assessment documentation, making a real difference in the classroom! Dive into the three essential components of WaKIDS: Family Connection, Early Learning Collaboration, and the Whole-child Assessment. This course will equip you with the skills to support teachers through observation and documentation collection. Best of all, it's entirely asynchronous so that you can complete it at your own pace, anytime within the training period. No in-person meetings required! Earn three clock hours and complete the course anytime within the training period.

WaKIDS Paraprofessionals Course

The WaKIDS for Paraprofessionals course is a three-hour, self-paced asynchronous training designed for paraprofessionals supporting kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and Special Education teachers. Participants will receive a SmartTeach™ username to assist in collecting documentation for the Whole-child Assessment. The course covers the three components of WaKIDS: Family Connection, Early Learning Collaboration, and the Whole-child Assessment, and dives into supporting high-quality full-day kindergarten through observation and documentation collection. It is entirely asynchronous, with no in-person meetings, and can be completed anytime within the training period. Participants will earn three clock hours upon completion. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you'll feel after completing this course.