This is week three in the legislative session, and legislators and staff are in full swing with committee hearings. Many bills are being introduced and combined with keeping up with the ever-changing news from the federal government, it has been a bit overwhelming. My self-talk this week has been to focus on the kids. Focus on what matters most for our students in our schools and focus on making sure we have a strong public education system in our state.
I testified on several bills this week related to improving school safety at extracurricular events (HB 1085/SB 5272), adding nurses to the BEST program (SB 5270), and prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco and vapor products (HB 1203). Also discussed this week in Senate Education was SB 5080 which would add financial literacy to the graduation requirements and SB 5327 which would update learning standards in computer science and then connect them to graduation requirements. Both of these content areas would be included in the State Board of Education’s process to take a comprehensive look at graduation requirements through their Future Ready Initiative.
The House Education committee heard a bill to more narrowly define the Transition to Kindergarten program (HB 1450) which I believe is more of a budget decision. The state passed the Fair Start Act several years ago and has committed to focusing on the early learning and childcare industry and wants to honor that commitment first. House Education also voted out of their committee a revised Parents’ Bill of Rights in the form of a Students’ Bill of Rights (HB 1296). Please note that King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott ruled this week that all current language of the original Parents’ Bills of Rights Initiative (I-2081) is currently state law. OSPI urges you to be cautious if you are asked to release student information and to check with your district or legal counsel for guidance if you are unsure.
Also noteworthy is that the U.S. Department of Education released a "Dear Colleague" letter today that states that the Office of Civil Rights will enforce Title IX under the provisions of the 2020 Title IX Rule. This means we look back to our state laws in 2020 related to Title IX. Please check with your districts about related policies and procedures.
In the House Appropriations Committee they heard three more bills related to one of the Big 3 priorities–special education funding. There were also several more bills introduced this week to help address K-12 funding, which is a good sign that legislators are serious about prioritizing schools. For those of you interested in a non-partisan look at a budget breakdown for our state, check out this recent post from Enterprise Washington. And for a good summary of the revenue proposals from the Senate Democrats, check out this article from the Washington Research Council.
Next week, hearings will continue as we get a little closer to the first cut-off date of February 21 when bills must pass out of policy committees. See below for a list of bills being heard in the education committees. In addition to these committees, there will be bills heard related to providing school meals, funding for MSOC, guaranteed admissions, and more. Having people sign-in support of these bills is important. See below for links on how to do that or reach out to me if you have questions. My complete bill tracking list is linked here.
Bills Heard This Week
House Education
Monday
HB 1079 - Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.
HB 1189 - Addressing parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.
Tuesday
HB 1450 - Establishing transition to kindergarten programs.
Senate Education
Tuesday
SB 5080 - Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement.
SB 5327 - Concerning learning standards and graduation requirements.
SB 5007 - Supporting students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school.
SB 5025 - Concerning educational interpreters.
SB 5235 - Repealing and reorganizing outdated statutes concerning public schools.
Bills Being Heard Next Week
House Education
Monday
HB 1051 - Permitting the recording of individualized education program team meetings.
HB 1257 - Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.
HB 1273 - Improving student access to dual credit programs.
HB 1651 - Concerning teacher residency and apprenticeship programs.
HB 1676 - Reassigning and authorizing surrendered, revoked, or nonrenewed charter school contracts.
Tuesday
HB 1032 - Concerning school district elections.
HJR 4201 - Amending the Constitution to allow a majority of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.
Thursday
HB 1140 - Establishing empowerED scholarships using educational savings accounts.
Senate Education
Tuesday
SB 5352 - Increasing student access to free meals served at public schools.
SB 5279 - Concerning qualifications for child care providers.
SB 5500 - Modernizing reimbursement rates for the working connections child care program.
Wednesday
SB 5412 - Providing temporary interfund loans for school districts.
SB 5386 - Supporting survivors of sexual assault in public elementary and secondary schools.
SB 5418 - Concerning charter school contracts.
Thursday
SB 5517 - Determining state allocations for school staff salaries.
Day on the Hill
Many of our Advocacy Advisory Council and AWSP Board Members are planning a visit to Olympia on February 10, 2025 for our annual “Day on the Hill." They will be meeting with their own legislators and perhaps attending some committee hearings.
You can get involved by scheduling a virtual meeting with your own legislators that week. More information will be coming soon.
Get Involved
Many thanks for all that you do for students and staff. If you have questions or comments or want to get involved, please reach out to me.
Thank you so much!
