wspta grassroots connection
Key McCleary / Capital Funding Bill to be Heard in Senate. Posted: 17 Mar 2015 10:12 AM PDT
One of the less often talked about concerns with fully funding basic education in Washington State is the lack of adequate facilities in many districts to accommodate the reduced class sizes that the McCleary Decision and the recently passed I-1351 require. The Washington State Senate is offering bipartisan legislation to help address the growing need for facilities and the bill, SB 6080, will be heard in the Ways and Means Committee on March 19th at 3:30PM. McCleary Issue lead Eden Mack is working to get a good representation of WSPTA members to attend the hearing. If you can join us, e-mail us at [email protected].
One of the less often talked about concerns with fully funding basic education in Washington State is the lack of adequate facilities in many districts to accommodate the reduced class sizes that the McCleary Decision and the recently passed I-1351 require. The Washington State Senate is offering bipartisan legislation to help address the growing need for facilities and the bill, SB 6080, will be heard in the Ways and Means Committee on March 19th at 3:30PM. McCleary Issue lead Eden Mack is working to get a good representation of WSPTA members to attend the hearing. If you can join us, e-mail us at [email protected].
Breakfast after the Bell Clears House and Social & Emotional Learning Clears Senate with Bipartisan Vote! Posted: 11 Mar 2015 07:00 AM PDT
The PTA was thrilled to have two of our priority bills pass their house of origin well before the cut-off on Wednesday. House Bill 1295, Breakfast after the Bell, passed the House with a wide margin last Wednesday and Senate Bill 5688, the Social and Emotional Learning Bill, passed the Senate with an equally wide margin last Friday afternoon. Both bills have already been referred to Senate and House Education Committees respectively. We expect hearings on both bills to be heard next week. Thank you to all for your help and support in moving these bills forward!
The PTA was thrilled to have two of our priority bills pass their house of origin well before the cut-off on Wednesday. House Bill 1295, Breakfast after the Bell, passed the House with a wide margin last Wednesday and Senate Bill 5688, the Social and Emotional Learning Bill, passed the Senate with an equally wide margin last Friday afternoon. Both bills have already been referred to Senate and House Education Committees respectively. We expect hearings on both bills to be heard next week. Thank you to all for your help and support in moving these bills forward!
House and Senate in All Day Sessions until Wednesday Cut-off Posted: 10 Mar 2015 07:00 AM PDT
As we enter the middle of the official legislative session, the House and Senate are meeting until late in the evening all this week and through cut-off on Wednesday. Our PTA record for passing key legislation has been great so far - with our two Top 5 priority platform issues that had bills attached passing both houses this week. Both Breakfast after the Bell and Social & Emotional Learning had strong coalitions supporting them and our combined efforts helped put them over the top for the first round of legislative hearings.
After cut-off, most legislators will be heading home for the weekend to host town halls. When they return, hearings will resume on bills heard in the house opposite their origin. In addition, the House is expected to release their budget near the end of the month and the Capital Funding / McCleary discussions will burst out into the open. Watch here for details on how our PTA will be shaping the debate on basic education funding!
As we enter the middle of the official legislative session, the House and Senate are meeting until late in the evening all this week and through cut-off on Wednesday. Our PTA record for passing key legislation has been great so far - with our two Top 5 priority platform issues that had bills attached passing both houses this week. Both Breakfast after the Bell and Social & Emotional Learning had strong coalitions supporting them and our combined efforts helped put them over the top for the first round of legislative hearings.
After cut-off, most legislators will be heading home for the weekend to host town halls. When they return, hearings will resume on bills heard in the house opposite their origin. In addition, the House is expected to release their budget near the end of the month and the Capital Funding / McCleary discussions will burst out into the open. Watch here for details on how our PTA will be shaping the debate on basic education funding!
Rep. Gerry Pollet's Higher Education Tuition Planning Proposal Gaining Traction in the House. Posted: 06 Mar 2015 07:00 AM PST
House Bill 1238 by Representative Pollet is one of many bills that looked at finding solutions to the rising costs of higher education tuition in Washington State. Pollet's bill aims to task the Washington Student Achievement Council (WASC) to develop a roadmap with the ultimate goal of restricting higher education costs to no more than 10% of the state's median family income. The study requires WASC to develop a series of potential solutions to the problem in a report due no later than December 15, 2016. &n bsp;What sets this bill apart from the others is the comprehensive scope and direction in developing a plan to control price hikes. The bill passed out of committee and is currently awaiting action in House Rules.
House Bill 1238 by Representative Pollet is one of many bills that looked at finding solutions to the rising costs of higher education tuition in Washington State. Pollet's bill aims to task the Washington Student Achievement Council (WASC) to develop a roadmap with the ultimate goal of restricting higher education costs to no more than 10% of the state's median family income. The study requires WASC to develop a series of potential solutions to the problem in a report due no later than December 15, 2016. &n bsp;What sets this bill apart from the others is the comprehensive scope and direction in developing a plan to control price hikes. The bill passed out of committee and is currently awaiting action in House Rules.
Social and Emotional Learning and Breakfast after the Bell Legislation Moves to Floor Action.
Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:16 AM PST
This has been a wild week for the Washington PTA. The Senate versions of Breakfast after the Bell SB 5437 and Social and Emotional Learning SB 5688, have passed out to Senate Rules before the cut-off. Our legislative champi on in the Senate, Senator Steve Litzow, sponsored both bills and his efforts on behalf of Washington's kids have been successful thus far.
Over in the House, Representative Zack Hudgins version of Breakfast after the Bell, HB 1295, has also been moved out of committee and into House Rules. Sadly, Representative Senn's version of Social and Emotional Learning, HB 1760, was not moved forward in committee.
The next big challenge will occur this coming week when all bills must be voted off the Senate floor and over for hearings in the State House of Representatives. This is a difficult session for new initiatives, even ones that are proven effective. If you get the chance, e-mail [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to thank them for their efforts!
Posted: 02 Mar 2015 09:16 AM PST
This has been a wild week for the Washington PTA. The Senate versions of Breakfast after the Bell SB 5437 and Social and Emotional Learning SB 5688, have passed out to Senate Rules before the cut-off. Our legislative champi on in the Senate, Senator Steve Litzow, sponsored both bills and his efforts on behalf of Washington's kids have been successful thus far.
Over in the House, Representative Zack Hudgins version of Breakfast after the Bell, HB 1295, has also been moved out of committee and into House Rules. Sadly, Representative Senn's version of Social and Emotional Learning, HB 1760, was not moved forward in committee.
The next big challenge will occur this coming week when all bills must be voted off the Senate floor and over for hearings in the State House of Representatives. This is a difficult session for new initiatives, even ones that are proven effective. If you get the chance, e-mail [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to thank them for their efforts!
What you start with isn't always what you finish with - major changes improve House Bill 1154
Posted: 24 Feb 2015 11:24 AM PST
Many education allies had concerns with House Bill 1154 which we reviewed our last edition. This bill would have created a "Pay it forward" scholarship program, but the funding came at the expense of eliminating the State Need Grants and the College Bound Scholarship Program. Representative Bergquist heard the concerns, gutted his own bill, and developed a pilot program which is geared towards helping students who fulfill the requirements of the College Bound Program but whose scholarship is eliminated due to their family's financial situation improving during the course of the program.
Currently, if a child participates in the College Bound program, but their family's finances surpass the maximum allowed, the child does not receive a scholarship. This new bill creates a pilot program that addresses this inconsistency. The scope of the new bill which has passed out of committee is here. Although this bill does not go very far in addressing the mounting concerns of the costs of higher education for middle class families, it does address a real problem in our current scholarship programs. He should be commended for listening to the concerns of education stakeholders and taking the bold move in addressing this problem.
House of Representatives to Vote on ESEA Re-authorization This Week
Posted: 24 Feb 2015 12:00 PM PST
The House of Representatives will vote this week on The Student Success Act (H.R. 5) to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—No Child Left Behind (ESEA-NCLB). The time is now for Congress to hear your voice, Take Action! Congress needs to hear that PTA supports:
- Safeguarding all family engagement provisions, modeled—in part—from the Family Engagement in Education Act.
- Adequate authorization levels to support critically important programs.
- The exclusion of any provision that would create or lead to a private school voucher, including Title I portability funding.
- Providing access to well-rounded education curricula for all students.
- Safeguarding and improving equity protections and dedicated funding streams for disadvantaged populations.
- Developing ambitious, yet appropriate, state-driven accountability systems with growth and performance goals to replace Adequate Yearly Progress.
- Guaranteeing that all students receive quality instruction from well-prepared teachers and pupil support personnel.
- Improving state longitudinal data systems and sharing of student data.
Breakfast after the Bell survives policy cut-off - Social and Emotional Learning advances
Posted: 24 Feb 2015 09:24 AM PST
Washington State PTA's "Top 5" priorities this session have cleared their respective legislative cut-off hurdles.
Breakfast after the Bell has been scheduled for a hearing today in the House Appropriations Committee at 3:30PM and the Senate version has been referred to Ways and Means. Both bills have changed a bit since their introduction last month. You can review the changes to the House version here and Senate version here. The Social and Emotional Learning bills have also advanced in their respective committees with some amendments included in both the House and Senate versions. You can review the changes to the House version here and Senate version here. The House and Senate Bills now move onto House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means Committees respectively.
House and Senate Higher Ed Committees focus on curbing costs and access. Posted: 20 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
Your Washington State PTA passed a platform which includes increased access to higher education for all Washington's children. Led by veteran PTA member, Heidi Bennett, our legislative team has been following, supporting, and opposing several bills that have been heard in both committees. One of these key bills is House Bill 1982 which is designed to help low performing / high-risk students achieve academic success through the use of partnerships with our higher education institutions and not-for-profit agencies. Another is House Bill 1500 which studies cost drivers in Higher Education. Finally, our team opposed House Bill 1154 which would have developed a pay it forward program by using existing funds from our State Need Grants and College Bound Scholarship Program. Although the WSPTA has gone on record supporting a Pay It Forward Program, we cannot support cannibalizing our existing grant and scholarship funds to do so. If you would like to learn more about other bills your Higher Education Access team is working on, click here and sign up to be on the Top 5 list for "Increasing Access to Higher Education."
Your Washington State PTA passed a platform which includes increased access to higher education for all Washington's children. Led by veteran PTA member, Heidi Bennett, our legislative team has been following, supporting, and opposing several bills that have been heard in both committees. One of these key bills is House Bill 1982 which is designed to help low performing / high-risk students achieve academic success through the use of partnerships with our higher education institutions and not-for-profit agencies. Another is House Bill 1500 which studies cost drivers in Higher Education. Finally, our team opposed House Bill 1154 which would have developed a pay it forward program by using existing funds from our State Need Grants and College Bound Scholarship Program. Although the WSPTA has gone on record supporting a Pay It Forward Program, we cannot support cannibalizing our existing grant and scholarship funds to do so. If you would like to learn more about other bills your Higher Education Access team is working on, click here and sign up to be on the Top 5 list for "Increasing Access to Higher Education."
TIP: How to Testify in Committee
Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
Click Legislative Meeting Schedules and Calendars for individual committee agendas and daily and weekly meeting schedules."Open" LegislatureWashington State has one of the most open legislatures in the country. A bill has a public hearing before Senate and House committees before being considered on the floor of the House and Senate. Your opportunity to testify comes at the committee hearings. If you cannot appear before a committee, contact your legislator making your position on a bill known. You can do so by writing a letter, sending an e-mail, calling the legislator's Olympia office, or by calling the Legislative Hotline at 800.562.6000.Senate Committees usually meet in hearing rooms in the John A. Cherberg Building and House Committees usually meet in the John L. O'Brien Building. Both buildings are adjacent to the Legislative Building in Olympia.Committee Hearings
Legislative hearings are conducted informally. The rules are somewhat relaxed, but are intended to help preserve decorum and allow respectful, courteous debate. (Reminders of hearing room rules are here for the House and here for the Senate.) Anyone can testify; you do not need formal training.To find out when a hearing is scheduled:
Are You a Lobbyist? Generally, if you are testifying on a bill or issues and represent only yourself, you will not be required to register as a lobbyist.
Posted: 19 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
Click Legislative Meeting Schedules and Calendars for individual committee agendas and daily and weekly meeting schedules."Open" LegislatureWashington State has one of the most open legislatures in the country. A bill has a public hearing before Senate and House committees before being considered on the floor of the House and Senate. Your opportunity to testify comes at the committee hearings. If you cannot appear before a committee, contact your legislator making your position on a bill known. You can do so by writing a letter, sending an e-mail, calling the legislator's Olympia office, or by calling the Legislative Hotline at 800.562.6000.Senate Committees usually meet in hearing rooms in the John A. Cherberg Building and House Committees usually meet in the John L. O'Brien Building. Both buildings are adjacent to the Legislative Building in Olympia.Committee Hearings
Legislative hearings are conducted informally. The rules are somewhat relaxed, but are intended to help preserve decorum and allow respectful, courteous debate. (Reminders of hearing room rules are here for the House and here for the Senate.) Anyone can testify; you do not need formal training.To find out when a hearing is scheduled:
- Click Schedules of committee hearings to obtain electronic copy of the weekly and daily schedules.
- Go to the Legislative Information Center, 106 Legislative Building, to get paper copies.
- Call the toll-free Legislative Hotline number (1.800.562.6000).
- Inquire in person or by phone in the Legislative Information Center 106 Legislative Building (360-786-7573).
Are You a Lobbyist? Generally, if you are testifying on a bill or issues and represent only yourself, you will not be required to register as a lobbyist.
- appear only before public meetings of legislative committees or state agencies, or
- do not receive pay, expenses or other consideration for lobbying and make no expenditure for on behalf of a legislator, elected official or state employee in connection with lobbying, or
- restrict your lobbying to four days during any three-month period and spend no more than $15 for or on behalf of a legislator, elected official or state employee.
- Be punctual; usually there is only one public hearing at which testimony is taken on a particular bill.
- If testifying in the House of Representatives: Locate the sign-up sheet near the entrance of the hearing room and write your name, address, and whether you favor or oppose the bill.
- If testifying in the Senate, sign-in is now done electronically in most committees. You may:
- (1) Go to one of the Committee Sign-In kiosks located in the Cherberg building main hallway, each Senate hearing room, or the first floor of the Legislative Building; or
- (2) Access the Committee Sign-In Program from a web-enabled device (smartphone, laptop or tablet), only while on campus and connected to the Legislature's WSLPublic wireless Internet network; or
- (3) Since not all Senate committees use the Committee Sign-In Program, if you do not see the committee listed within the sign-in program, go to the hearing room to sign-in on the paper sheets.
- Click Committee Electronic Sign-In Instructions to obtain more detailed instructions or for information on how to create an optional Committee Sign-In account.
- Check to see if copies of proposed amendments or substitute bills are available.
- Take your written materials to the committee staff for distribution.
- Talk to the committee staff if you are going to be using the presentation equipment.How the Meeting Is Conducted
- that the committee members hear relevant information,
- that interested persons are given the opportunity to express their positions, and
- that the hearing does not exceed the time available.
- Begin by introducing yourself to the chair and committee members and stating your purpose. For example,
- "Mr. or Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am John Doe from Spokane. I am here representing myself. I support this bill because . . ."
- In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing other citizens or a separate group.
- Be brief and be sure your remarks are clear. Avoid being too technical and do not repeat previously made remarks. You do not need to be nervous or worried about how you present your testimony.
- Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members. These are designed to gain additional information, but don't answer if you are not sure of the answer. Tell the members you will send a written answer to the committee, and then follow through.
- Restrict yourself to your testimony. Abstain from other overt demonstrations such as clapping, cheering, booing, etc.
Before the HearingA Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) brochure outlines guidelines on this subject:You do not have to register and report if you:Prepare Your Remarks. Time is usually limited, so be brief and direct. Written testimony should not be read at committee hearings. Committee staff will distribute copies of written testimony to members of the committee if you bring a sufficient number -- one for each member. Writing your comments in outline form will be helpful when you speak, and you should summarize your written testimony.Avoid Duplication. If other persons will be offering similar testimony at the hearing, try to coordinate your testimony and avoid duplication. Well organized testimony is the most effective.
At the MeetingBe present at the beginning of the hearing. The committee chair will open the hearing on a particular bill. Frequently, opening comments will be made by the bill's sponsor or by committee staff. Sometimes, however, the chair will ask for testimony from proponents and opponents immediately.The chair will organize the hearing to ensure
Making Your Remarks- Begin by introducing yourself to the chair and committee members and stating your purpose. For example,
- "Mr. or Madam Chair and members of the committee, I am John Doe from Spokane. I am here representing myself. I support this bill because . . ."
- In your opening remarks, make it clear whether you are representing other citizens or a separate group.
- Be brief and be sure your remarks are clear. Avoid being too technical and do not repeat previously made remarks. You do not need to be nervous or worried about how you present your testimony.
- Be prepared for questions and comments from committee members. These are designed to gain additional information, but don't answer if you are not sure of the answer. Tell the members you will send a written answer to the committee, and then follow through.
- Restrict yourself to your testimony. Abstain from other overt demonstrations such as clapping, cheering, booing, etc.
Join National PTA in supporting Family Engagement as an intergral part of updating No Child Left Behind.
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 10:07 AM PST
Congressional members led by Senators Patty Murray and Lamar Alexander are pushing to reauthorize and update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act known in its current form as No Child Left Behind. National and State PTA are urging our members to contact their representatives in congress and remind them of our commitment to include the funding for family engagement programs in the final bill. Please click here to send this important message to our federal leaders.
Hearing Monday afternoon on lowering school bond requirements to 50% - with a catch...
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 10:09 AM PST
At 1:30 today, the House Education Committee will hear House Bill 1941 and House Joint Resolution 4210 which would reduce the approval requirements for school bonds from 60% to 50%, but only if voted on during November general elections. The Washington State PTA supports lowering this requirement but we, and many other stakeholders, have major concerns about only allowing this option during the November general elections. As most PTA members know, general election campaigns on the local level are usually drowned out by state and national media. In addition, the competition for volunteer resources will be fierce during this time. We are asking the House Education Committee to consider other options to obtain enough support to pass this very important measure. ;If you would like to comment on either bill, click these links: HB 1941 and HJR 4210
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 10:07 AM PST
Congressional members led by Senators Patty Murray and Lamar Alexander are pushing to reauthorize and update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act known in its current form as No Child Left Behind. National and State PTA are urging our members to contact their representatives in congress and remind them of our commitment to include the funding for family engagement programs in the final bill. Please click here to send this important message to our federal leaders.
Hearing Monday afternoon on lowering school bond requirements to 50% - with a catch...
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 10:09 AM PST
At 1:30 today, the House Education Committee will hear House Bill 1941 and House Joint Resolution 4210 which would reduce the approval requirements for school bonds from 60% to 50%, but only if voted on during November general elections. The Washington State PTA supports lowering this requirement but we, and many other stakeholders, have major concerns about only allowing this option during the November general elections. As most PTA members know, general election campaigns on the local level are usually drowned out by state and national media. In addition, the competition for volunteer resources will be fierce during this time. We are asking the House Education Committee to consider other options to obtain enough support to pass this very important measure. ;If you would like to comment on either bill, click these links: HB 1941 and HJR 4210
New WA State Graduation Requirements for the class of 2019 Posted: 14 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
This WA State Board of Education video will explain the new requirements for your High School student
http://wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com/2015/02/new-wa-state-graduation-requirements.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FGOlMi+%28WSPTA+Grassroots+Connection%29
This WA State Board of Education video will explain the new requirements for your High School student
http://wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com/2015/02/new-wa-state-graduation-requirements.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FGOlMi+%28WSPTA+Grassroots+Connection%29
Focus Day Success Posted: 13 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
Over 500 attendees braved the threat of bad weather to join arms and support fully funding education and supporting the WSPTA’s Top 5 legislative agenda. We were met with clear skies that allowed for a great rally on the capitol steps. After the rally, PTA legislative leaders met with Governor Inslee and his staff to discuss our legislative priorities and urge him to continue his support for fully funding basic education without endangering critical social services.
Did you attend Focus Day? Let us know your story and what you thought of the program. E-mail us at [email protected]!
Over 500 attendees braved the threat of bad weather to join arms and support fully funding education and supporting the WSPTA’s Top 5 legislative agenda. We were met with clear skies that allowed for a great rally on the capitol steps. After the rally, PTA legislative leaders met with Governor Inslee and his staff to discuss our legislative priorities and urge him to continue his support for fully funding basic education without endangering critical social services.
Did you attend Focus Day? Let us know your story and what you thought of the program. E-mail us at [email protected]!
Breakfast after the Bell Gains Momentum Posted: 12 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
Another of our "Top 5" legislative priorities is the "Breakfast After The Bell" program. Vancouver Council President, Heather Lindberg, leads the WSPTA issue team and is pictured here with her daughter before a recent public hearing on the bill. The bill would fund grants for high needs elementary schools allowing them to participate in the Federal Breakfast program.
Sponsored in the House by Rep. Zack Hugdins (HB 1295) and by Sen. Steve Litzow in the Senate (SB 5437), the bill has a broad base of support and cleared a critical hurdle this week when it passed the House Education Committee. For more information on the program, click here.
The Bill has a long way to go before becoming law, and we need your help. Join us by signing up to be on the Breakfast issue team here!
Another of our "Top 5" legislative priorities is the "Breakfast After The Bell" program. Vancouver Council President, Heather Lindberg, leads the WSPTA issue team and is pictured here with her daughter before a recent public hearing on the bill. The bill would fund grants for high needs elementary schools allowing them to participate in the Federal Breakfast program.
Sponsored in the House by Rep. Zack Hugdins (HB 1295) and by Sen. Steve Litzow in the Senate (SB 5437), the bill has a broad base of support and cleared a critical hurdle this week when it passed the House Education Committee. For more information on the program, click here.
The Bill has a long way to go before becoming law, and we need your help. Join us by signing up to be on the Breakfast issue team here!
National PTA to Testify Before Congress - Student Data Privacy
Posted: 11 Feb 2015 12:00 PM PST
Tomorrow, February 12, 2015, National PTA Vice President of Advocacy, Shannon Sevier will testify before the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education on behalf of National PTA. This is a Subcommittee of the House Education and the Workforce Committee
The hearing, titled “How Emerging Technology Affects Student Privacy,” will focus on student data privacy, exploring the use of new technology in the classroom and examine the need to modernize FERPA.
As you know, National PTA has been actively involved in the ongoing debate about the best way forward on student data privacy. This hearing gives National PTA the opportunity to highlight the importance of this issue before Congress and showcase the steps we are taking to ensure all children’s data is secure.
Shannon’s testimony, along with others, will be live streamed at 8:00 AM (Pacific). For additional information about the hearing and to view her live testimony, please see the Committee website:
http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=398317Student Privacy and Financial Literacy Bills Advance in House and Senate
Posted: 11 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
WSPTA members testified in support of legislation advancing the cause of student privacy and financial literacy. House Bill 1495 and Senate Bill 5419 will protect you and your children by restricting third party use of student information. Senate Bill 5202 and House Bill 1121 expands access to financial literacy tools in K-12 while Senate Bill 5349 addresses financial literacy at the collegiate level.
If you would like to help us advance this legislation or have a personal story to share, reply to this e-mail or sign up on Engage here.
Posted: 11 Feb 2015 12:00 PM PST
Tomorrow, February 12, 2015, National PTA Vice President of Advocacy, Shannon Sevier will testify before the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education on behalf of National PTA. This is a Subcommittee of the House Education and the Workforce Committee
The hearing, titled “How Emerging Technology Affects Student Privacy,” will focus on student data privacy, exploring the use of new technology in the classroom and examine the need to modernize FERPA.
As you know, National PTA has been actively involved in the ongoing debate about the best way forward on student data privacy. This hearing gives National PTA the opportunity to highlight the importance of this issue before Congress and showcase the steps we are taking to ensure all children’s data is secure.
Shannon’s testimony, along with others, will be live streamed at 8:00 AM (Pacific). For additional information about the hearing and to view her live testimony, please see the Committee website:
http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=398317Student Privacy and Financial Literacy Bills Advance in House and Senate
Posted: 11 Feb 2015 07:00 AM PST
WSPTA members testified in support of legislation advancing the cause of student privacy and financial literacy. House Bill 1495 and Senate Bill 5419 will protect you and your children by restricting third party use of student information. Senate Bill 5202 and House Bill 1121 expands access to financial literacy tools in K-12 while Senate Bill 5349 addresses financial literacy at the collegiate level.
If you would like to help us advance this legislation or have a personal story to share, reply to this e-mail or sign up on Engage here.
McCleary Looms Large Posted: 09 Feb 2015 01:42 PM PST
The McCleary Decision is the big ticket item of the legislative session. With Governor Inslee’s budget proposal starting the conversation, the legislature is now working on their versions on how the state plans to fully fund basic education. All eyes are now on Representative Ross Hunter who will introduce the House version of the operating budget at the end of the month. The State Senate will follow shortly thereafter.
Our McCleary and Capital Funding Issue teams are working together under the guidance of Eden Mack pictured above before a budget committee hearing. If you wish to be part of the McCleary discussion, join the issue team by clicking this link!
The McCleary Decision is the big ticket item of the legislative session. With Governor Inslee’s budget proposal starting the conversation, the legislature is now working on their versions on how the state plans to fully fund basic education. All eyes are now on Representative Ross Hunter who will introduce the House version of the operating budget at the end of the month. The State Senate will follow shortly thereafter.
Our McCleary and Capital Funding Issue teams are working together under the guidance of Eden Mack pictured above before a budget committee hearing. If you wish to be part of the McCleary discussion, join the issue team by clicking this link!
WSPTA Grassroots Connection August 28, 2014 Information From the Governor's Office of the Education Ombudsman
Posted: 28 Aug 2014 05:56 AM PDT
Over the past week, you have probably read in the newspaper or received a letter from your school district explaining Washington state’s loss of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waiver. This waiver is also referred to as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver. As a result of the waiver loss, the majority of school districts were required to issue letters to parents explaining the options they may have if their child attends a school that has not made “adequate yearly progress” or AYP. Parents whose children are assigned to a school that has not met AYP will be offered the option of: 1) staying at their assigned school and receiving Supplemental Education Services, or 2) the option to transfer to a public school of their choice that has met AYP within their district.
The application process for SES or a public school transfer request is very short and requires completion of a written application with a deadline associated with it. In some school districts, this deadline occurs on or before the first day of school. It is very important that parents understand they will not get SES services or be able to request a transfer after the deadline set by their district. For limited-English speaking parents, it is important that they understand they can ask for the instructions and application in a language understood by the parents or guardians. In addition, limited-English speaking parents can and should ask for an interpreter at their child’s school meeting to determine the SES Student Learning Plan if they need language access and assistance.
In an effort to assist parents, students and advocates to understand what some of the changes are, the Office of the Education Ombudsman has developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For more information, please call (206) 748-5613 or 866-297-2597. http://www.wastatepta.org/files/ESEA_FAQs.pdf
Posted: 28 Aug 2014 05:56 AM PDT
Over the past week, you have probably read in the newspaper or received a letter from your school district explaining Washington state’s loss of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waiver. This waiver is also referred to as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) waiver. As a result of the waiver loss, the majority of school districts were required to issue letters to parents explaining the options they may have if their child attends a school that has not made “adequate yearly progress” or AYP. Parents whose children are assigned to a school that has not met AYP will be offered the option of: 1) staying at their assigned school and receiving Supplemental Education Services, or 2) the option to transfer to a public school of their choice that has met AYP within their district.
The application process for SES or a public school transfer request is very short and requires completion of a written application with a deadline associated with it. In some school districts, this deadline occurs on or before the first day of school. It is very important that parents understand they will not get SES services or be able to request a transfer after the deadline set by their district. For limited-English speaking parents, it is important that they understand they can ask for the instructions and application in a language understood by the parents or guardians. In addition, limited-English speaking parents can and should ask for an interpreter at their child’s school meeting to determine the SES Student Learning Plan if they need language access and assistance.
In an effort to assist parents, students and advocates to understand what some of the changes are, the Office of the Education Ombudsman has developed a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For more information, please call (206) 748-5613 or 866-297-2597. http://www.wastatepta.org/files/ESEA_FAQs.pdf