AWSP
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Advocacy & Legislation

AWSP provides a strong and respected voice on state and nationwide issues affecting K–12 schools and principals. We vigilantly monitor and research trends impacting our members’ profession, reputation, and practice. We value our members who travel to Olympia and Washington, D.C. to provide the principal’s perspective. 

We offer several ways to help you keep pace with the legislative arena, including Legislative Update (our a weekly e-newsletter during session), how to find your state legislator, how to track the status of bills and find out how your lawmaker voted, and practical tips for talking with legislators.

We focus our governmental relations efforts and legislative platform through a statewide, grassroots Legislation Committee. This collaboration identifies and prioritizes issues critical to our members, so we can work smarter on your behalf in Olympia and around the state.

Every voice matters, and it’s important for all of us to stay informed and connected.

2025 Legislative Platform



“It is difficult to envision a higher return on investment in K-12 education than the cultivation of high-quality school leadership.” ~ Wallace Foundation, 2021

The 2025 AWSP Legislative Platform focuses on leadership development, fully funding basic education, and increasing student support to ensure all students succeed, with priorities for principals and school staff.

photo of Erika Burden
Connecting with our legislators at both the local and national level is critical to ensure our legislators recognize the importance of supporting educators in their efforts to keep students safe and reach every student in their classrooms and buildings.
- Erika Burden, 2020 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year

Get Involved


Legislative News

Legislative Update for January 8, 2021

Roz Thompson
Jan 8, 2021

leg update blog

Legislative Update for January 8, 2021

The 2021 legislative session kicks off on Monday, January 11th and both the House and the Senate will convene for opening day and swearing-in ceremonies.

In the published plans for the House of Representatives, they “require an in-person quorum to vote on House rules. This will be held at a Thurston county facility large enough to accommodate all House members and maintain physical distancing. The members will be sworn in and sign their oath of office during opening day proceedings. The press may observe the proceedings, but no guests will be permitted on site.”

The first day for the Senate requires “an in-person quorum of at least 25 members to vote on changes to Senate Rules. Those who wish to be physically present for this vote will vote in shifts in a manner that will provide for adequate social distancing.”

All opening day ceremonies, committee hearings, and floor sessions will be broadcast on TVW. Check out their website for links to all of the action. They have some fantastic daily and weekly reporting on everything legislative.

While much uncertainty remains about how usual legislative business will work, we will jump in next week to remote committee hearings to share testimony related to several bills. Up next week will be the first chance to weigh in on Governor Inslee’s proposed budget as well as several bills in both the House and Senate Education committees. Also planned for next week are overviews of various agencies and workgroups related to childcare, early learning, juvenile justice programs, and impacts on higher education including FAFSA completion.

We are thrilled that the Governor’s budget contains funding for our principal intern and mentor programs as well as funding for outdoor education and support for student leadership programs. Governor Inslee also proposes increasing staffing levels for counselors in elementary schools. We also know that there are bills in the works to hold funding stable with regards to enrollment and transportation, as well as a bill to expand the flexibility of LAP dollars.

Bills being heard next week include:

  • HB 1028 (repealing the edTPA assessment for new teachers)
  • SB 5030 (developing comprehensive school counseling programs)
  • SB 5044 (developing anti-racist and cultural competency training for educators)

I’ll have more to report next Friday. If you have questions or want to get involved in advocacy, please contact me!

In the meantime, check out these resources for more information:

Photo of Roz Thompson, smiling with shoulder-length hair, next to text that reads: ‘Roz Thompson, Government Relations & Advocacy Director’ in blue and orange on a light green background.

Legislative Update E-Newsletter

Want updates on what's going on? Trying to understand the process and learn how to make an impact?  Follow us on social media, check out our blog or this page for the latest legislative news page, and read our Legislative Update email newsletter every Friday during session.

Questions? Reach out to Roz.

Email Roz

Join Our PAC

School leaders in Washington state can take an active role in the political process by joining AWSP’s political action committee or PAC, the Washington School Principals Legislative Effectiveness Association.

AWSP-WSPLEA supports AWSP’s governmental relations efforts at both the state and national levels. It also raises and spends money to support candidates and issues that are important to the principalship and to K–12 education. Make a difference — join the PAC today!

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School Funding Coalition

The School Funding Coalition represents the voices of nearly 8,000 school district leaders from our state’s 295 school districts. We bring a front-line understanding of school district financing and the education funding issues the Legislature continues to grapple with—especially as state budget decisions are contemplated in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coalition includes AEA, AESD, AWSP, WASA, WASBO, WSPA, and WSSDA. We believe that each and every student needs stable support, safety, access to learning, and well-equipped staff. Learn more in our Immediate Student Needs document below.

2024 Legislative Priorities