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As we develop relationships with legislative staff, we become sounding boards and contacts for our schools. Our representatives and their staff should depend upon us to provide insight on how legislation impacts our students, staff, and schools.

photo of Dwight Cooper
Dwight Cooper
Principal, NAESP National Rep

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.

photo of Erika Burden
Erika Burden
Principal, Westwood Middle School

Sharing our students’ realities, joys, and challenges with legislators is a responsibility we principals do not take lightly. Our students need advocacy, and AWSP facilitates strong partnerships between the Legislature and our schools.

photo of Kris Janati
Kris Janati
Principal, Advocacy Committee Chair

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.

2023 Legislative Platform

Advocacy & Action Center

Our Advocacy & Action Center provides all the updates, tracking, resources, and action plans you need to stay informed and make your voice heard. Use it to stay informed and take action on the issues you care about. Legislators need to hear from you.

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Legislative Newsletter

Washington State Capitol from the sky
What’s going on in Olympia and how will it affect my school? We've got weekly updates on our blog and in our Principal Matters newsletter during session, covering the latest happenings in Olympia, including educational requirements, health care, retirement, principal evaluation, and more.
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Roz Thompson

Roz Thompson 

Director, Government Relations & Advocacy

Want updates on what's going on? Trying to understand the process and learn how to make an impact? Reach out to Roz. 

Follow us on Twitter and check out our Legislative News page for the latest tweets and news.
 

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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.

Immediate Student Needs

Political Action Committee (AWSP-WSPLEA)

Political Action Committee

Principals 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 important to the principalship and to K-12 education.

AWSP-WSPLEA provides:

  • A strong and respected voice for students and principals in Olympia and Washington, D.C.
  • A positive working relationship with legislators
  • Ongoing analysis and recommendations on budgets and  proposed bills
  • “Legislative Update” e-newsletter sent weekly during session
  • A legislative summary of budgets and bills and their impact on students and principals
  • Realistic stories and testimony for lawmakers from practicing principals 
  • An effective working relationship with OSPI, the Governor’s Office and other education-related organizations that represent principal leadership as a critical element toward the goal of student achievement.
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