Push For Action To Help Children in Washington
The advocacy work of Washington State PTA is directed by our member-approved resolutions , principles, and legislative platform. Legislative Platform The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall.…
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Workgroups Reconvening
Washington state is making progress on an accountability plan for the success of all students OLYMPIA — APRIL 12, 2017 — Three workgroups – two that are reconvening and one that is new – are playing a key role in writing and developing Washington state’s education plan to the federal government. On Jan. 10, Superintendent Chris Reykdal…
House Ups Ante with $44.9B Spending Plan, Senate Capital Budget Passed
This was a busy week, with a big policy cutoff on March 29. In addition, House Democrats announced their “Families First” budget March 27, increasing policy level spending to a net of $3.2 billion. The two-year spending plan is balanced on $3 billion in new revenues from a combination of sources, $206 million in assumed…
Double Parent Testimony for Family Engagement and Social Emotional Learning
Jessica Garcia testifies in support of SHB 1618: Engagement Coordinators Bellevue parent, Jessica Garcia, reprised her testimony in support of the family and community engagement bill, SHB 1618, March 30, but this time with the Senate budget committee. Jessica shared the difference a person equivalent to the FACE coordinator defined in the bill helped the…
Northshore WSPTA Volunteer Testifies on 2017-19 Biennium Budget
Nancy Chamberlain testifying on sufficient, sustainable, and equitable education funding. OLYMPIA – March 27 – WSPTA volunteer and mother of two, Dr. Nancy Chamberlain, testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee on HB 1067, which focuses on the 2017-19 fiscal biennium operating appropriations. She explained the mission of Washington State PTA and the vision of…
Legislative Session: Week 12 Events Report
Below is next week’s schedule and testimony opportunities. 3/27 @ 1:30pm: Early Learning & K-12 Education (Senate) – SHR 1, JACB SHB 1377 – Public Hearing – Improving students’ mental health by enhancing non-academic professional services. 3/27 @ 3:30pm: Appropriations (House) – HHR A, JLOB HB 1067 – Public Hearing – Making 2017-2019 fiscal…
WSPTA Testimony in Favor of College Bound Scholarship
Parent advocate, Heidi Bennett, testifying in favor of expanding the College Bound Scholarship. Thursday, March 23 (Olympia) – Long-time parent advocate Heidi Bennett spoke to the Senate Higher Education Committee in favor of expanding eligibility for the College Bound scholarship in HB 1512. “I’m also a first generation college graduate who relied on state aid…
OSPI NEWS RELEASE: Reykdal Adopts Arts Standards
OLYMPIA—MARCH 22, 2017—Compose a song using Dorian mode. Create an advertising campaign for a product for sale. Draw a scene from a movie that show a character’s actions or emotions. All are suggested activities for students to demonstrate their understanding of the state’s new arts standards. The standards were formally adopted today by State Superintendent…
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Education
Parent Testimony In Favor of Breakfast after the Bell and Bond Bills
Heather Lindberg, Vancouver PTA Council 3.7 President, testifying on behalf of simple majority for bond bills. On behalf of Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Vancouver parent and PTA council leader, Heather Lindberg, pulled double duty in Olympia on March 21. She first testified in the Senate education committee in support of HB 1508, Breakfast after the…
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Education
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Legislative
Action Turns Again to Committees, Revenue Up
Action returns to policy and budget committees as the opposite chamber takes up bills that passed the original chamber. Policy committees have until March 29 to hear and act on policy bills; the fiscal cutoff is April 4th. Keep in mind that bills that get changed in the opposite chamber must return to the original chamber…