OSPI outlines options to centralize education for youth in juvenile justice facilities

Misha Cherneski, an OSPI staff member presenting on behalf of the superintendent of public instruction, told the Senate Early Learning & K–12 Education Committee that state law (House Bill 1701) directs OSPI to develop a timeline for assuming responsibility for delivering basic education in juvenile justice facilities by 2027 and that OSPI has submitted preliminary recommendations to the joint select committee.

The recommendations emphasize student‑centered delivery of the full basic education program, stronger statewide governance, consistent data collection, and a regionally deployed education model in which Educational Service Districts (ESDs) would oversee instruction at juvenile detention centers (JDCs). Cherneski said the plan would include statewide contracts and possible state procurement of services such as online curriculum so small local programs could access them affordably.

OSPI presented the recommendation as one of two main options the joint select committee asked it to explore: (1) a primary model with regional ESD delivery and (2) a model that preserves local school district operation for some facilities while strengthening statewide expectations and supports. Cherneski also noted a substitute bill pending in the Senate, Substitute House Bill 1827, would preserve the role of school districts for JDCs that districts already operate while extending statewide supports; the substitute also pushes the 2027 deadline…