WSPTA Testifies: Parental Rights and Public Education
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck shared comments on Initiative 2081, concerning parental rights relating to public school education, at the joint meeting of the House Education and Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committees on Wednesday, February 28. Angela noted that WSPTA had a long history of supporting the health, safety, and welfare…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Save the School Construction Assistance Program
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA Advocacy member Susan Baird-Joshi thanked House Capital Budget members for the $55 million investment for indoor air quality, the continued support for the Small District Modernization and Tribal Compact grant program, and the incremental increases to activities that support urgent and emergency repair. Watch Susan here Sharing the WSPTA’s disappointment with…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Dual and Tribal Language Education
Advocacy in Action! In a bill-packed day, WSPTA Advocacy member Danica Noble testified in favor of 3SHB 1228, building a multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education. Danica shared her students’ experiences with a dual language program and encouraged the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee to pass the bill so that…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Urging Further Education Investments
Advocacy in Action! WSPTA President Angela Steck testified during the Senate Ways & Means meeting on Monday, February 19 on the proposed 2024 supplemental operating budget, SSB 5950. While the Senate proposal supports a small increase in special education, additional transportation funding for McKinney Vento students, and an increase in ratios for paraeducators, Angela expressed…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies: Increased Allocation for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs
Advocacy in Action! Shoreline School District parent advocate Michelle Harris testified on behalf of Washington State PTA in strong support of HB 2494, increasing the allocation for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs. Michelle shared that for her district, skyrocketing insurance increases will cost $2 million or about 8% of the enrichment levy. Watch Michelle here.…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Action! April 1, 2023
Advocacy Director Lizzy Sebring waited several hours to speak on E2SSB 5311, the bill that would lift the cap on enrollment to 15%, increase the multipliers, and modify the safety net. The bill was part of a Saturday, April 1 public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee. Lizzy shared WSPTA’s support for the Senate funding…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Action! March 27, 2023
During a public hearing March 27th on the House proposed 2023-25 operating budget, WSPTA President Nancy Chamberlain asked legislators to increase funding for special education to meet the needs of students in our K-12 programs. Nancy thanked them for the investments in inclusionary practices professional development, and funding for teacher residency programs and the Beginning Educator…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Action! March 23, 2023
WSPTA President Nancy Chamberlain asked members of the Senate Ways & Means Committee to hold firm on their level of funding for students with disabilities when negotiating with the House and to add funding for inclusionary training. Nancy also expressed disappointment that, as a member of the K-12 Salary Rebase work group, the legislature did…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Action! March 22, 2023
Advocacy Committee member Melissa Stone testified Pro on SHB 1658, allowing students to earn up to 2 credits for work. Melissa asked members of the Senate Early Learning & K12 Committee to consider lowering the number of hours required to earn 1 credit from 360 hours (180 hours for 0.5 credit) to 240 hours (120 hours…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Advocacy in Action! March 21, 2023
Advocacy Committee member Natalya Yudkovsky encouraged members of the House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee to pass ESSB 5048, a bill that would cover fees related to College in High School courses. The testimony March 21 also elicited several questions and a discussion about transcript fees, which might become a topic to address next session. Listen…
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Advocacy
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Legislative