Legislative

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: Creating Change with the Power of PTA

Cherry Crest Elementary PTSA 2.3.25 Region 2

Current WSPTA Advocacy Platform
Washington State PTA will advocate in favor of legislation supporting these priorities during the 2024 legislative session in Olympia. WSPTA’s advocacy work is directed by member-approved issuesresolutions and principles.  Full details for the new or amended issues and resolutions below (green text) are available on the WSPTA website.
 
Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2022-2024:
  1. Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
  2. Addressing Critical Gaps in Educational Funding
  3. *AMENDED* 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:

  • *NEW* Multi and Heritage Language Education for All
  • 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
Adopted Resolutions:
*NEW* Supporting a Diverse and Effective Education Workforce
*NEW* High-Quality Preschool to Third Grade Early Learning
*NEW* K-12 Education Funding
*NEW* Traumatic Brain Injuries
 
Amended Resolutions:
1.8 Substance Use Disorder Education and Prevention
11.31 Social Emotional Learning and Student Success
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.
 
Each May join fellow members to learn about all things PTA! From basic classes like “PTA and the Law” to sessions addressing community engagement, fundraising and more, you will walk away with ways to improve your school community and impact educational outcomes.
 
Each October join fellow members to modify the Advocacy Platform that guides Washington State PTA’s advocacy work in our state legislature. Cherry Crest PTSA can send up to four voting delegates.
Resources

WSPTA Home

WSPTA Advocacy

National PTA Advocacy Toolkit

Advocacy in Action: The 2024 state legislative session ended on Thursday, March 7.  View the session summary of bills affecting education here.