WSPTA Testifies – Bill would create flexibility in LAP funding
WSPTA member Heidi Bennett spoke in favor January 29 on HB 1208, a bill to increase flexibility for Learning Assistance Program funding. Bennett requested two amendments to provide guidance to districts and clarify parent expectations, specifically because statutes that allow for the use of LAP to be used for dyslexia screening and other best practices…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Weighs in on SRO Bill
HB 1214 would make changes to laws adopted in the 2019 legislative session regarding training for school resource officers and data collection. Nancy Chamberlain speaks in favor of the bill while asking for an amendment to strengthen training requirements. Listen to Nancy’s testimony here.
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – February 1 Report
Legislature likely to act this week on $2.2 billion relief package Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Last week’s report covered the unveiling of the Democrats’ COVID-relief package, which is broken into several large “buckets,” including $688 million for K-12 public schools. HB 1368 had a public hearing on January 26 and passed…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Testifies on SB 5128, a transportation funding fix
WSPTA member Heidi Bennett spoke on SB 5128, a transportation funding fix, in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on January 28. Bennett thanked lawmakers but encouraged them to keep districts as whole as possible, because districts incurred costs bringing school to students when students couldn’t come to them or, for districts that have been…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
WSPTA Weighs in on Broadband Bill
Washington State PTA members adopted a position last fall to close the digital divide. Hear members Nancy Chamberlain and Tori Emerson speak in favor of a bill that would expand broadband access across the state by extending retail sales authority to public entities like cities and PUDs. Listen to Nancy and Tori’s testimony here, given…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
2021 Focus on Advocacy – January 25 Report
Democrats unveil $2.2 billion relief package Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Friday afternoon, Democratic state legislators announced a $2.2 billion package for COVID-relief, including $688 million for K-12 public schools. Lawmakers use the majority of the second round of federal funding ($1.8 billion) to plug holes in the economy and respond to…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – Focus on Safety
Dear Washington State PTA Member, What issues concern you about the physical safety, health and well-being of your student(s) at school? Students and families deserve to be safe and healthy in their schools, homes, and communities, with a livable future for our children. But unfortunately, in Washington state: During the 2018-19 school year, our state…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – Support Student Success by Preserving Education Funding
Dear Washington State PTA member, Right now, we need your voice more than ever as our Washington state legislature grapples with funding choices. We know this year is like no other and we need you to speak up. Legislators often comment that they don’t hear enough from parents – you can change that. Please take…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – Focus on Mental Health
Dear Washington State PTA Member, Insufficient funding for mental health and social emotional learning staff in our schools is an urgent need across our state. For the emotional health of our students, we need decision makers to support legislation that: Increases the state funding model for staffing school mental health professionals. Prioritizes funding to those…
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Advocacy
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Legislative
Call to Action – Focus on Equity
Dear Washington State PTA member, Throughout our state, students continue to experience barriers and inequities preventing them from reaching their potential in our state: As of 2020, 68% of districts (urban and rural) report that some students have no access to broadband or smart phone data. When districts had to flip to online learning last…
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Advocacy
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Legislative