Legislative

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: Creating Change with the Power of PTA

Cherry Crest Elementary PTSA 2.3.25 Region 2

Washington State Legislative Session January – April, 2023

The 2023 state legislative session in Olympia ended on Sunday, April 23.  View the session summary of bills affecting education here.
Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA) Legislative Assembly
October 15-16, 2022
Over 175 voting delegates representing 131 PTAs (including Cherry Crest) and 8 of the 12 regions of the state came together and decided the Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2022-24.  Washington State PTA will advocate in favor of legislation supporting these priorities during the upcoming state legislative session in Olympia. WSPTA’s advocacy work is directed by member-approved issues, resolutions and principles.  One new resolution and three amended resolutions were also approved.
 
Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2022-2024:
  1. Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
  2. Addressing Critical Gaps in Educational Funding
  3. Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
  4. Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education
  5. Building and Maintaining Safer School Facilities

WSPTA also supported Issues:

  • Creating a Diverse and Effective Educator Workforce
  • Expanding School Construction Funding Options
  • Harnessing the Benefits of Mastery-based Learning
  • Improving Equitable Identification and Access for Highly Capable Students
  • Increasing Education Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
  • Increasing Support for Equitable Family Engagement
  • Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
  • Supporting a Meaningful High School Diploma
New Resolution:
4.16 Equitable and Impactful Family Engagement in Education
 
Amended Resolutions:
2.23 Gun Violence Prevention and Safety – Students and School Staff
18.36 Equitable Access to Highly Capable Services

18.40 Equitable Access and Improved Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Definition of Issues, Principles and Resolutions according to the WSPTA website:

“The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list.”

“The WSPTA Legislative Principles consist of five overarching categories: budget, revenue, and funding; family and community engagement; public education policies; health and well-being of children and youth; and safe and nurturing environments for children and youth. Long term legislative principles fill the gaps in the short-term issue platform when an emerging issue arises for members to advocate on behalf of children.”

Resolutions guide our advocacy work from the local to the state level. They may be amended and updated, or retired, and are usually broader in scope than legislative issues.”

Join the PTSA
Together we are a powerful voice for children! Any parent/guardian, teacher, student or community member can join.
How to Get Involved
Subscribe to state PTA Action Alerts: Receive e-mail alerts when your action can directly impact a specific issue.
 
Read the state PTA blog: Weekly posts about active, high-priority bills and what PTA is doing each week in Olympia.
 
 
Submit your ideas:
PTA members can submit proposals for WSPTA issues, principles and resolutions. Learn how on the WSPTA Take Action page.