Tacoma, WA (December 15, 2016): After the release of Governor Jay Inslee’s education budget spending plan on Tuesday, Washington State PTA President Barbara Martin issued the following statement:
“Governor Inslee’s investments in K-12 education to support a high-quality teacher in every classroom and a skilled principal in every school are a great step forward in resolving the McCleary lawsuit. Funding to support beginning teachers, training and collaboration time, and market-rate salaries will help Washington attract and retain the professionals our students need to learn and succeed in our schools.”
Washington State PTA is an organization that is focused on the whole child – both the academic and non-academic needs of every student – Martin expressed excitement in some specific funding proposals:
“We are thrilled that this budget proposal recognizes the importance of social and emotional barriers to learning, with investments to support the health and well-being of our students. A crucial priority for Washington State PTA is to ensure adequate staffing of school counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and family engagement coordinators. This budget proposal funds these critical staffing positions.”
The Washington State PTA adopts a two-year legislative agenda in the fall, based on positions drafted and voted on by membership at a Legislative Assembly. The legislative agenda includes support for: social and emotional learning, full funding of basic education, closing the opportunity gap, professional standards for para-educators, and funding for programs to increase breakfast participation in high-poverty schools.
“We applaud Governor Inslee for creating a bold plan to amply and equitably fund basic education for our more than one million students across the state, and are excited to partner with him and others to advance these budget proposals in the upcoming session,” said Martin.
About Washington State PTA: The Washington State PTA was founded in 1905 by Abby Williams Hill of Tacoma, an artist who saw the need for an organization to support Washington’s children. Thanks to her leadership and vision—and over 132,000 current members who have carried her vision forward—Washington State PTA has been a leading voice for children in Washington for over 110 years.
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