18 proposals advance to Legislative Assembly

Issues touch on budgeting and funding; equity and access; instructional support; safety; positive learning environments; and system changes for Pre-K to grade 12

View all issues here
Direct links to each issue are posted below

DELEGATES TO WEIGH IN OCT. 19-20 AT LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
Register, get information here Plan to be there both days. Voting starts early Friday.



WSPTA’s ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Each fall, Washington State PTA votes on a priority platform; this then guides our legislative advocacy in the state. The process started last June when members submitted 20-some proposals for consideration. Some were merged, others reworked. In July, the legislative committee reviewed and forwarded to the board of directors those that align with PTA’s body of positions and that advance our work on behalf of all children.

Last night, the board made its final decisions; in all, it will forward 18 issues for delegates to consider Oct. 19 and 20 at WSPTA’s annual Legislative Assembly. 

This year we are starting a new 2-year cycle with all-new issues. Delegates will first vote on whether to place an issue on the platform; then delegates will vote on a Top 5. More staff time and resources go to Top 5 priorities.


10/4/2012 UPDATE: Survey closed: Our annual issues survey was sent to members whose email addresses have been registered with the state office; it was also sent to all local PTA leaders to distribute among members. The survey is intended to gather feedback for delegates and spread awareness of the issues. It is not a voting mechanism and it is not a poll.


NEW THIS YEAR - BLOG: We have created a Legislative Assembly blog where members can find policy papers on each of the issues as well as general news about Legislative Assembly. http://wsptalegassembly.blogspot.com/. As with Grassroots Connection, members can share posts via Facebook, websites and via email. Our hope is to spread awareness of the proposed issues, make the process more interactive, and get more members engaged in the process of turning great ideas into great policies and practices that support all Washington children.

Direct links to each issue:

Budget and Funding

• Fund Education First
• Complete Solution for K-12 Funding
• Revenue for Kids

Equity and Access

• Access, Opportunity and Equity for Special Education
• Closing the Opportunity Gaps
• Access to Algebra in Middle School

Instructional Support

• Universal Access to Fully Prepared, Effective Teachers
• Instructional Support for English Language Learners
• Training to Support Highly Capable Learners
• Screening and Instruction of Struggling Readers

Safety Issues 

• School Zone Signage
• Neighborhood Safe Speeds

Positive learning environments

• Positive Behavior Interventions and Support
• Social Emotional Learning: Don’t SEL Our Kids Short

System Changes

• Advance Basic Education Reforms
• Access to Quality Early Learning
• Great Family Engagement in Every School
• Standards-Based Grading

Washington State PTA – made up of every local PTA and PTSA in the state as well as regional councils – was established as an advocacy organization more than 100 years ago. Our vision is that every child’s potential becomes a reality. Our mission is to make PTA a powerful voice for all children; a relevant resource for families and communities; and an advocate for the well-being and education of all children.

- Ramona Hattendorf,

Government Relations Coordinator,

Washington State PTA