The quote for this week is inspired by YOU–our incredible members who show up each day to support students and staff with their learning. Thank you for being committed to changing the world one student and one day at a time.Â
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At our AWSP Executive Board meeting this weekend, we will be hosting a small committed group of principals and partner organizations to continue changing the world by envisioning a stronger system of leadership development in Washington. I’ll report
back on that endeavor soon. Or, tune into our Winter Forum next Thursday, January 30 from 4-5:30pm to hear more about it from Dr. Scott Seaman. I’ll also share a legislative update and Dr. Michaela Miller, Deputy Superintendent at OSPI, will
join us to share some updates and answer some questions we’ve gathered for her (send us an email to add a question by Monday). There will be breakout sessions for you to attend based on a variety of topics. Register here
to receive the Zoom link.
back on that endeavor soon. Or, tune into our Winter Forum next Thursday, January 30 from 4-5:30pm to hear more about it from Dr. Scott Seaman. I’ll also share a legislative update and Dr. Michaela Miller, Deputy Superintendent at OSPI, will
join us to share some updates and answer some questions we’ve gathered for her (send us an email to add a question by Monday). There will be breakout sessions for you to attend based on a variety of topics. Register here
to receive the Zoom link.
The Capitol hummed along this week at a busy clip and it’s hard to believe that this is only the second week of the legislative session. Hundreds more bills were introduced and several significant bill hearings took place. On Wednesday,
four important education funding bills were heard in the Senate Education Committee related to the Big 3 funding priorities (Special Education, MSOC, and Transportation). Thank you to so many of you who took time to sign-in with your support.
For an in-depth look at the Big 3 funding issues, check out the opening week issue of This Week in Olympia (TWIO) by WASA’s Assistant Executive Director of Government Relations, Dan Steele. You can also read about Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s call for education
funding in his annual state of public schools address.
four important education funding bills were heard in the Senate Education Committee related to the Big 3 funding priorities (Special Education, MSOC, and Transportation). Thank you to so many of you who took time to sign-in with your support.
For an in-depth look at the Big 3 funding issues, check out the opening week issue of This Week in Olympia (TWIO) by WASA’s Assistant Executive Director of Government Relations, Dan Steele. You can also read about Superintendent Chris Reykdal’s call for education
funding in his annual state of public schools address.
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Both the House (HB 1296) and the Senate
(SB 5181) held hearings on the Parents’
Bill of Rights language that was adopted last spring by the legislature. The intent with both bills (which are different approaches) is to tighten up the language so that it aligns with current state law. Connected to the House bill, and considered
in separate bills in the Senate, are issues related to securing the rights of students to have safe, civil, and respectful learning environments and expanding protections for students to promote inclusivity in public schools.Â
(SB 5181) held hearings on the Parents’
Bill of Rights language that was adopted last spring by the legislature. The intent with both bills (which are different approaches) is to tighten up the language so that it aligns with current state law. Connected to the House bill, and considered
in separate bills in the Senate, are issues related to securing the rights of students to have safe, civil, and respectful learning environments and expanding protections for students to promote inclusivity in public schools.Â
I testified “pro” for HB 1285 this week which would make financial education a graduation requirement. This bill was modified since last session and now the process is connected to the State Board of Education’s Future Ready Initiative which will be a comprehensive look at all graduation requirements. My caution to the House Education Committee
was that this will take concerted time, effort, and support for educators to do this work.
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was that this will take concerted time, effort, and support for educators to do this work.
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Here is a list of all of the education bills heard this week:
Senate Education
Tuesday
SB 5181 – Amending the parents
rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law. Â
rights initiative to bring it into alignment with existing law. Â
SB 5180 – Securing the rights of students
to have a safe, civil, and respectful learning community.
to have a safe, civil, and respectful learning community.
SB 5123 – Expanding protections for
certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools.  Â
certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools.  Â
SB 5179 – Establishing a complaint
process to address noncompliance with certain state education laws. Â
process to address noncompliance with certain state education laws. Â
Â
Wednesday
SB 5187 – Providing adequate
and predictable student transportation.
and predictable student transportation.
SB 5192 – Concerning school district
materials, supplies, and operating costs.
materials, supplies, and operating costs.
SB 5263 – Concerning special education
funding.
funding.
SB 5307 – Concerning special education
funding.
funding.
Â
Thursday
SB 5008 – Supporting the use
of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools.
of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools.
SB 5009 – Modifying the student transportation
allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.
allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.
SB 5120 – Expanding the learning assistance
program.
program.
SB 5177 – Considering the experiences
of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.
of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.
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House Education
Thursday
<a href=”https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1285&Year=2025&Initiative=false” alias=”” conversion=”false” data-linkto=”https
