AWSP Blog

The research continues to be very clear about the important role principals play in the system. Leaders of culture, systems, and learning. Creators of hope. This became even more clear as I watched our amazing principals lead during COVID. Their leadership during the last year has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, let’s not overlook their leadership, persistence, commitment, and experience as districts begin developing those plans. Who has the best glimpse into what each individual school needs? Principals. So, let’s make sure we ask them.

This past Tuesday, a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder and manslaughter in George Floyd’s death. This poignant and pivotal moment represents another chapter in our country's dialog on policing and race relations. As educators, we should use it to elevate our conversations on race, on justice and accountability, and on the future of our communities.

In this edition of AWSP News, we discuss National Assistant Principals Week, NAESP recognizing AWSP for the highest membership count and percentage in the country, the Washington State Legislature considering a budget request for Outdoor School, Roz's legislative update, AWSL's Summer Leadership Series, a chance to help a rock star AP Capstone student and a Phd Student, and the 2021 WASA/AWSP Summer Conference.

Weekly special education and Section 504 resources from Abby Bowers, Capital Region ESD 113's Director of Special Programs.

The final week of this year’s legislative session is about to come to a close. The last day is Sunday, April 25 and we are all anxiously awaiting final budget details. Earlier this week, there was a “handshake deal” between the House and the Senate on the operating budget. The staff has been working for the past few days to put the final bill together. It should be released on Saturday. It is usually the last bill passed before the Legislature adjourns.

The biennial budget, worked out in secrecy, will supposedly be released after this report is due. Dollars drive or kill policies, so there may be some surprises in the agreed-upon document. Meanwhile, here is a brief report on bills that are still in play and/or that have changed status since previous reports.

The focus was on floor action this week as legislators either agreed with changes made to bills in the opposite house (concurrence) or worked to resolve their differences. Several bills are still waiting on the final agreement and, of course, final behind-the-scenes budget negotiations are ongoing. Legislators are tackling a lot of big issues this session – from police reform to transportation to climate change, housing, and more. If you’re interested in some really good nonpartisan independent news about politics and policy in our state, check out the Washington State Wire.

Weekly special education and Section 504 resources from Abby Bowers, Capital Region ESD 113's Director of Special Programs.

Both houses are engaged in moving bills back and forth in order to get agreement from both bodies on a specific piece of legislation. A few policy bills are being heard until the end when policy bills that are NTIB will be heard and acted upon. Below is a report on the status of various bills that are still in play and/or have changed status since previous reports.

It was a busy week of floor action in both the House and the Senate. There were several late-night sessions and the Legislature will be busy all weekend as lawmakers and staff work to pass any remaining bills out of the opposite house before cutoff on Sunday, April 11, at 5 pm. Any remaining bills or matters that are “necessary to implement budgets, differences between the houses, and matters incident to the interim and closing of the session” will continue to be addressed up until the final day (sine die) of this year’s session which is expected to be Sunday, April 25.