Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Comparison of Education Funding Proposals

Greetings fellow advocates of the Washington State PTA (WSPTA). As you know, the Senate Republicans announced their proposal for education funding last Friday, January 27with the full bill coming out on Saturday, January 28. Our outstanding lobbyist, Marie Sullivan, took the weekend to do an in-depth analysis and comparison of the Governor's budget proposal, and the Democrat, and Senate Republican's education funding proposals. 

As a non-partisan 501(c)3 non-profit, WSPTA is offering this analysis purely for informational purposes. As there is significant negotiation to occur in the coming weeks and months, we urge our members to take a measured approach to your advocacy and discussion. 


All the best, 
Duncan Taylor 
WSPTA Legislative Director

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Posturing on House and Senate Floor Creates Tense Week

House Republicans sparred with Democrats over a House rule change to create an education-only budget before
writing the rest of the budget, in an attempt to show that Democrats didn’t think education was the state’s paramount duty. Not to be outdone, minority Senate Democrats sought to take advantage of a Senate Republican resignation, and a temporary 24-24 tie, to force the Senate to vote on a bill that would extend about $400 million in local levy authority through January 1, 2019. Both efforts failed, but the floor action did create some political theater.  On another note, Senate Republicans released an education spending plan on Saturday and scheduled a hearing on Monday at 3:30 p.m., in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.  Finally, the House Education Committee passed HB 1046, which would eliminate the requirement to pass state assessments to graduate; the bill passed on a 17-2 vote.

Status of Top Five Legislative Priorities - Update
1.        Social and Emotional Learning
·         HB 1377 – school support services staff.
·         HB 1518 – SEL throughout the calendar year.
2.       Amply Funding Basic Education
·         SB 5297 – Inslee compensation schedule.
·         HB 1059 – extending the levy cliff through January 1, 2019.
·         HB 1282/SB 5183 – increasing MSOC CTE funding. WSPTA signed in as support in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education committee.
·          SB 5432 – increasing the funding allocation for special education programs for students with disabilities.
3.       Closing the Opportunity Gap
·         HB 1511 – expansion of LAP funding.
·         SB 5348 – special needs assessments/diploma/transitional services.
·         HB 1295 – creating a language access advisory committee, and lighthouse projects.
4.       Standards for Para-educators
·         HB 1115 – JC Mitchell testified in favor of the bill in the House Education Committee. The bill sponsor has introduced a substitute to the original, which would remove the requirements for certification and endorsements in ELL and Special Education but boost training.
·         SB 5070 – not scheduled for executive action yet.
5.       Breakfast after the Bell
·         HB 1508 – requiring a breakfast after the bell program in high needs schools and eliminating lunch co-pays. Bill is scheduled for a public hearing Thursday, February 2, in House Education at 8 a.m.  
·         NEW: HB 1551 – creating a kitchen equipment competitive grant program to enhance student nutrition in public schools.  The bill is scheduled for a public hearing Friday, February 3, in House Capital Budget at 8 a.m.


2017 WSPTA Supported Issues:
·         Improving Educational Outcomes for Foster Children
o    SB 5241/HB 1628 would require school districts to consolidate partial credits, unresolved or incomplete coursework and provide opportunities for credit accrual that eliminates barriers to foster youth.
·         Engaging Families in Student Success
o    NEW: HB 1618 would create a single definition of “family and community engagement coordinators,” and set duties and responsibilities.  
·         Post-Secondary/Higher Education Access and Affordability
o    HB 1033 - concerning the State Need Grant.
o    HB 1452/SB 5361 – expanding the Opportunity Scholarship Program.
o    HB 1512 – expanding eligibility for the College Bound scholarship program.
o    NEW: HB 1651 would put an emphasis on student orientation and supports once a student begins a two-year or four-year college or university.
o    NEW: SB 5476 would expand the State Need Grant income eligibility to families with 85% of the state’s median family income.
o    NEW: SB 5568 would freeze tuition at the two-year and four-year colleges and universities to 2016-17 levels.
·         Removing Barriers to Implementing ECEAP
o    SB 5107 would allow local governments, school districts and non-profit organizations to pay for early learning programs, and would direct Dept of Early Learning to help increase access to early learning.
o    HB 1518 would create a summer Jump Start ECEAP pilot program to be used in public schools to get students entering kindergarten ready.
·         Restorative Justice and School Safety
o    SB 5155 would prohibit the suspension or expulsion of a student in grades K-2, except for the remainder of the day. The bill had a public hearing last week; concerns were raised about the need to have enough time to set up a plan to provide safety to all involved.
Also of note:
·         Simple majority for bonds: Several bills have been introduced that would allow a simple majority on school bond elections.
o    HB 1778/SB 5076 would allow simple majority at all elections.
o    HB 1779 would allow simple majority at only November general elections.

Week in Review
WSPTA signed in as support in the House on a bill related to CTE MSOC funding. Member JC Mitchell testified at the House Education Committee in support of the para-educators bill, HB 1115.

The Week Ahead
Monday, January 30
1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session: High school graduation requirements.

Public Hearing:
1.        SB 5202 - Authorizing nationally recognized college assessments for high school assessment purposes.
2.       SB 5238 - Requiring that cursive writing be taught in common schools.
3.       SB 5241 - Concerning the educational success of youth in foster care.

Tuesday, January 31
8 a.m., Senate Higher Education, SHR 3
Public Hearing:
·         SB 5361 - Concerning the opportunity scholarship program.

1:30 p.m., House Education, HHR A
Public Hearing:
·         HB 1451 - Improving language access for public school students and families with limited English proficiency.

1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session: Parent/Family engagement and community-school connections. WSPTA President Barbara Martin will be presenting on behalf of the Washington State PTA.

3:30 p.m., House Capital Budget, HHR B
Work Session:
1.        School Construction.
2.       Early Learning Facilities Needs.

Wednesday, February 1
1:30 p.m., House Higher Education, HHR D
Work Session: Report from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center on "Situation Assessment of the Regulation of For-Profit Degree-Granting Institutions and Private Vocational Schools in Washington."

Public Hearing:
·         HB 1425 - Creating the Washington next generation educational savings account pilot program.
·         HB 1452 - Concerning the opportunity scholarship program.

Thursday, February 2
8 a.m., House Education, HHR A
Public Hearing:
1.        HB 1235 - Assessing physical education practices in public schools.
2.       HB 1346 - Clarifying the authority of a nurse working in a school setting.
3.       HB 1377 - Improving students' mental health by enhancing nonacademic professional services.
4.       HB 1508 - Promoting student health and readiness through meal and nutrition programs.
5.       HB 1542 - Concerning dropout prevention through engaging youth in farming.

1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session:
1.        Home visiting.
2.       Programs for highly capable students.

Friday, February 3
8 a.m., House Capital Budget, HHR B
Public Hearing:
·         HB 1551 - Creating a competitive equipment assistance grant program to enhance student nutrition in public schools.

Prepared by
Marie Sullivan
WSPTA Legislative Consultant
Email Marie

Bill tracker (updated 1/30/17)

Friday, January 27, 2017

Leadership News: Week Ending 1/28/17

Did you miss this week's issue of Leadership News? Download the public version here

Key Takeaways:

  • Give the Gift of Membership contest recipient and PTA recipient
  • 2017 WSPTA Board of Directors Elections
  • Advocacy in Action
  • Member Benefits: Events
  • Opt In for Student Success contest (ReadyWA)
  • January 31 due date
    • Annual Corporation Renewal
    • IRS 1099-MISC
    • Sales Tax Remittance (includes popcorn sales!)
  • Join Red Robin Royalty to earn $$ for your school
  • Question of the Week (Hint: replacing a board member mid-year)

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Legislative Committee Schedule: Week 4

January 30-February 3, 2017


Monday, January 30
1:30 p.m., House Education, HHR A
Public Hearing:
1.       HB 1246 - Concerning school bus safety.
2.      HB 1279 - Concerning school safety drills.
3.      HB 1284 - Requiring creation of a statewide school emergency panic button program.
4.      HB 1310 - Creating a program to provide students and the community with the means to report anonymously concerning unsafe or violent activities, or the threat of these activities.
5.      HB 1319 - Concerning the frequency of evaluations for certain educators.

1:30 p.m., Senate Commerce, Labor & Sports, SHR 4
Public Hearing:
1.       SB 5149 - Addressing paid family leave.
2.      SB 5032 - Implementing family and medical leave insurance.
3.      Providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace for pregnant women [S-0721.1].
4.      SB 5299 - Promoting healthy outcomes for pregnant women and infants.

The draft bill is posted on the Committee's website here, and is also available from committee staff. Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session: High school graduation requirements.

Public Hearing:
1.       SB 5202 - Authorizing nationally recognized college assessments for high school assessment purposes.
2.      SB 5238 - Requiring that cursive writing be taught in common schools.
3.      SB 5241 - Concerning the educational success of youth in foster care.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

Tuesday, January 31
8 a.m., Senate Higher Education, SHR 3
Work Session:
·         Issues and Perspective on Student Textbooks.
·         Teaching Requirements for Faculty.

Public Hearing:
1.       SB 5234 - Requiring establishment of a system-wide credit policy regarding AP exams.
2.      SB 5285 - Conducting a workforce study of employment opportunities in the agriculture, environment, and natural resources economic sectors intended to provide educators with the information needed for informing students about employment opportunities in the studied fields.
3.      SB 5361 - Concerning the opportunity scholarship program.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

1:30 p.m., House Education, HHR A
Public Hearing:
1.       HB 1303 - Concerning educational interpreters.
2.      HB 1412 - Creating a pilot project to provide middle and junior high school students strategic and intentional academic support beyond the traditional school day.
3.      HB 1444 - Facilitating on-time grade level progression and graduation for certain students.
4.      HB 1445 - Concerning dual language in early learning and K-12 education.
5.      HB 1451 - Improving language access for public school students and families with limited English proficiency.

1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session: Parent/Family engagement and community-school connections.

Public Hearing:
1.       SB 5258 - Creating the Washington academic, innovation, and mentoring (AIM) program.
2.      SB 5291 - Creating a pilot project to provide middle and junior high school students strategic and intentional academic support beyond the traditional school day.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

3:30 p.m., House Capital Budget, HHR B
Work Session:
1.       School Construction.
2.      Early Learning Facilities’ Needs.

Wednesday, February 1
1:30 p.m., House Higher Education, HHR D
Work Session: Report from the William D. Ruckelshaus Center on "Situation Assessment of the Regulation of For-Profit Degree-Granting Institutions and Private Vocational Schools in Washington."

Public Hearing:
1.       HB 1439 - Regulating the institutions of higher education, including for-profit institutions and private vocational schools, to protect students from unfair business practices.
2.      HB 1440 - Establishing a student loan bill of rights.
3.      HB 1425 - Creating the Washington next generation educational savings account pilot program.
4.      HB 1452 - Concerning the opportunity scholarship program.

1:30 p.m., House Early Learning & Human Services, HHR C
Work Session: Overview of the Recommendations of the Children's Mental Health Work Group.

Thursday, February 2
8 a.m., House Education, HHR A
Public Hearing:
1.       HB 1235 - Assessing physical education practices in public schools.
2.      HB 1346 - Clarifying the authority of a nurse working in a school setting.
3.      HB 1377 - Improving students' mental health by enhancing nonacademic professional services.
4.      HB 1508 - Promoting student health and readiness through meal and nutrition programs.
5.      HB 1542 - Concerning dropout prevention through engaging youth in farming.

1:30 p.m., Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1
Work Session:
1.       Home visiting.
2.      Programs for highly capable students.

Public Hearing:
1.       SB 5246 - Concerning the department of early learning's access to records and personal information for purposes of determining character and suitability of child care workers and individuals who have unsupervised access to children in child care settings.
2.      SB 5247 - Updating certain department of early learning advising and contracting mechanisms to reflect federal requirements, legislative mandates, and planned system improvements.
3.      SB 5357 - Establishing a pilot project to license outdoor early learning and child care programs.

Possible executive session on bills heard in committee. Other business.

Friday, February 3
8 a.m., House Capital Budget, HHR B
Public Hearing:
1.       HB 1289 - Concerning plaques for certain state-funded capital budget projects.
2.      HB 1325 - Concerning the evaluation and prioritization of capital budget projects at the public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education.
3.      HB 1395 - Allowing public transportation benefit area authorities to use job order contracts and procedure.
4.      HB 1538 - Requiring prime contractors to bond the subcontractors portion of retainage upon request.
5.      HB 1551 - Creating a competitive equipment assistance grant program to enhance student nutrition in public schools.