Washington Schools were looking to support more inclusive schools in Washington state, the legislature appropriated funding in its budget to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) was awarded funding for the Inclusionary Practices: Statewide Support for District Change project and partnered with Novak Educational Consulting. Through the collaborative efforts, we aimed to assist district leadership teams in developing and implementing plans for more inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities.

13.9 %

Inclusion Rates

Over four years, the 42 participating districts achieved a 12.8% increase in students placed in general education for 80-100% of the school day (LRE 1). This growth exceeded the state average increase of 6.8%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the initiative.

9.3 %

Math Proficiency Scores

Math proficiency increased by an average of 9.3 percentage points, with multiple districts achieving double-digit gains.

8 %

ELA Proficiency Scores

ELA proficiency improved across districts, with some schools seeing gains of over 8 percentage points.

1. Establish Distributed Leadership Teams

July/August Per Project Year

We recognized that sustainable change requires strong leadership at multiple levels within each district. To this end, we established distributed leadership teams that included district superintendents, curriculum directors, special education administrators, and selected teacher leaders. These teams were empowered with decision-making authority to drive and oversee the implementation of inclusive practices. By ensuring leadership commitment and accountability, we created a foundation for lasting systemic change.

2. Build Capacity & Collaboration

September - May Per Project Year

To support ongoing development, we facilitated professional learning through monthly meetings, collaborative workshops, and peer networking opportunities. We emphasized the importance of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and universal design for learning (UDL) to ensure that inclusion was seen as a general education initiative rather than solely a special education concern. Through structured professional development, district leaders and educators gained the necessary knowledge and tools to implement inclusive practices effectively.

3. Assess Progress and Aligning Strategic Moves to Outcomes

Ongoing

Monitoring and data-driven decision-making were central to our approach. We implemented annual self-assessments and feedback loops to track progress, evaluate challenges, and refine our strategies. Districts collected both qualitative and quantitative data, including student and staff perception surveys, inclusion data, and student learning outcomes. By aligning strategic initiatives with measurable outcomes, we ensured that our efforts translated into meaningful improvements for students, educators, and the broader school community.

The Impact

The collaborative efforts of Novak Education, WASA, and district teams led to significant improvements in inclusive education across Washington state:

Increased Inclusion Rates: Over four years, the 42 participating districts achieved a 12.8% increase in students placed in general education for 80-100% of the school day (LRE 1). This growth exceeded the state average increase of 6.8%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the initiative.

Strengthened Leadership Engagement: The requirement for superintendents to actively participate in district leadership teams improved district-wide alignment and commitment to inclusive practices.

Enhanced Teacher Professional Learning: The project reinforced that inclusive education is not solely a special education initiative but a general education priority. This shift helped districts integrate inclusive practices into broader instructional strategies and teacher development programs.

Improved Collaboration and Shared Learning: The structured networking opportunities fostered peer learning, enabling districts to learn from one another and scale successful strategies more effectively.

A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Change

Novak Education worked closely with WASA to develop and implement a structured, data-driven approach to advancing inclusive education. The initiative focused on three key areas:

Defined Goals and Success Criteria

Each participating district co-created clear goals, success criteria, and a customized action plan focused on maximizing the impact of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This included identifying early adopters and establishing clear communication and accountability norms to ensure successful implementation.

Collecting Evidence to Inform Decisions and Impact

District teams gathered a diverse mix of data—from student work and teacher feedback to standardized assessments—to showcase the real impact of their initiatives. Structured data collection windows ensured consistent tracking, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on evidence.

Driving Continuous Improvement

Through virtual data analysis sessions and leadership coaching, districts used data for problem-solving, action planning, and sustained progress. This phased approach built internal capacity, ensuring long-term success and systemic change.

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Additionally, Novak Education and WASA implemented structured networking opportunities such as Problem of Practice gatherings and Nosh and Network sessions. These forums allowed districts to share successes, discuss challenges, and collaborate on innovative solutions.

By embedding inclusive education into district-wide systems, WASA has created lasting changes that benefit students, educators, and communities. The initiative’s success underscores the power of strategic leadership, professional development, and collaborative problem-solving in transforming educational practices.

Ready to see the difference. Contact us to discuss your district's needs and how our program can help you achieve your goals.

Make an Impact

How a State Surpassed Their Indicator 05a Target by Over 12% for the year

Case Study

How teachers transformed their classroom with UDL

Impact in Action

Learn how we can support your team with improving student outcomes.

Professional Learning

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Case Study

Fostering Inclusive Environments in Washington State

One especially important element was that we structured the work to gather and respond to insights and data generated throughout the process." -

The Challenge

Limited Progress Aligning to Article 24

Inconsistent PD for Inclusion

Missed Opportunity for Data-Driven Decision Making

Results At a Glance