On January 11, five new
separately elected officials were sworn in, including Chris Reykdal as the new Superintendent
of Public Instruction. Democrat Jay Inslee was sworn in as Governor, and
delivered his inaugural address the same day. Inslee mainly focused on getting
the job done on public education funding, but also stressed the importance of
addressing the mental health crisis, protecting those using the state’s
affordable health exchange, reducing homelessness, and increasing jobs.
Status of Legislative Priorities
·
Social
and Emotional Learning – no legislation yet; legislation is planned, including
a JumpStart Summer ECEAP pilot program that includes a focus on social and
emotional learning.
·
Amply
Funding Basic Education
o
The
Joint Education Funding Task Force wrapped up seven months of meetings without
bipartisan recommendations or a report to the Legislature.
o
On
January 4th, Democrats
revealed a proposal, while Republicans shared Legislative
Principles.
o
Republicans
anticipate a proposal to be available no later than February 1st.
·
Closing
the Opportunity Gap – no legislation yet; Governor’s budget provided additional
funding to support closing the Opportunity Gap.
·
Standards
for Para-educators – HB 1115 and SB 5070 have been introduced. The Senate Bill
is scheduled for a hearing Thursday, January 19th at 1:30 p.m. WSPTA
member Beth Sigall plans to testify in favor.
·
Breakfast
after the Bell – no legislation yet; Representative Zack Hudgins is aware of
WSPTA interest, desire to be part of the development of the legislation.
Supported Priorities:
·
Improving
Educational Outcomes for Foster Children – the Governor’s operating budget
included additional funding focused in this area.
·
Engaging
Families in Student Success – the Governor’s operating budget included
additional funding and a 1.0 FTE per prototypical school for use with school
counselors, nurses, family engagement, psychologists, and social workers.
·
Post-Secondary/Higher
Education Access and Affordability – the Governor’s operating budget maintained
the tuition reductions put in place for the 2015-17 session and backfilled the
financial impact of the tuition cuts to the state universities.
·
Removing
Barriers to Implementing Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
– the Governor’s operating budget includes funding for an additional 2,700
ECEAP slots. It also includes funding for summer ECEAP. The capital budget
proposal includes funding for $26 million for early learning facilities.
·
Restorative
Justice and School Safety – no legislation at this time.
Week in Review
While the session after a big
election is usually a little slow, this week’s budget and policy committees
started with public hearings on Governor Inslee’s proposed two-year spending
plans for operations and construction/capital projects. Family and Community Engagement Director, Judy East, and Region Legislative Committee member, Erika Kapur, testified in favor of the Governor’s education budgets,
citing areas of alignment with the legislative agenda adopted in October.
The Week Ahead
Next week has several work
sessions on education 101, early learning, and recommendations from the
Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Delivery of Services to Families &
Children. Of particular interest may be:
Thursday, January 19
8 a.m., House
Education, HHR A
Work Session: Education Governance - Other Public
Partners in the K-12 System.
Public Hearing:
1. HB 1012 - Eliminating the use of
the high school science assessment as a graduation prerequisite.
2. HB 1023 - Concerning military
student participation in varsity extracurricular activities.
3. HB 1046 - Concerning certificates
of academic and individual achievement.
8 a.m., House Labor
& Workplace Standards, HHR E
Public Hearing: HB 1116 - Implementing family and medical leave insurance. – WSPTA sign
in Support
1:30
p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work
Session: The State's plan to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Public Hearing:
Public Hearing:
1.
SB 5064 - Concerning freedom of expression rights of students at public
schools and institutions of higher education.
2.
SB 5107 - Creating a local pathway for local governments, school
districts, and nonprofit organizations to provide more high quality early
learning opportunities by reducing barriers and increasing efficiency.
3:30 p.m., House
Appropriations, HHR A
Work Session: Briefing on K-12 public
school funding.
3:30 p.m., Senate
Ways & Means, SHR 4
Work Session: K-12 Capital Budget
Issues.
Prepared by:
Marie Sullivan
WSPTA Legislative Consultant
Email Marie
Prepared by:
Marie Sullivan
WSPTA Legislative Consultant
Email Marie
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