AWSP
A panoramic view of the Washington State Capitol building on a cloudy day, surrounded by trees and historic buildings, with street lamps in the foreground.

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

Your Action Needed! Feedback on Proposed Student Discipline Rules.

Roz Thompson, Governmental Relations & Advocacy Director, AWSP
Feb 21, 2025
OSPI blog

As you know, OSPI released emergency discipline rules related to classroom exclusions at the start of the school year. They have now opened public comment as part of their permanent rulemaking process. We need our school leaders to submit feedback to OSPI. Even if changes in your building have been subtle, your voice matters. We must ensure your perspectives as principals and assistant principals are heard. If you don’t tell your story, someone will tell it for you.

There are several ways to provide feedback. You can send written comments to StudentDiscipline@k12.wa.us by March 19, attend a virtual hearing on March 4 via Zoom, or show up in person at one of the locations listed below.

OSPI Details

On January 17, OSPI filed the CR–102 to begin the permanent rulemaking process for student discipline rules. Community members are encouraged to review the proposed permanent rules and side-by-side of proposed changes before providing public comment in writing to StudentDiscipline@k12.wa.us or in-person at one of the upcoming public hearings. All public comments must be submitted by March 19, 2025.

Feedback Times & Locations

  • March 4, 2025 @ 10:00 am on Zoom (Register here)
  • March 11, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Skyview High School (1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98685)
  • March 12, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Todd Beamer High School (35999 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003)
  • March 18, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Columbia River Elementary School (9011 Burns Road, Pasco, WA 99301)
  • March 19, 2025 @ 4:00 pm at Shadle Park High School (4327 N. Ash St, Spokane, WA 99205)

Find more information and materials on OSPI’s Student Discipline page.

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!

Join Now

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.

2025 Legislative Priorities