Legislative Update for the week of February 14

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 14, 2025
Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

That’s a wrap on week 5 of the legislative session. Action on the hill was everywhere and legislators continue to advocate for their bills in order to get them scheduled for executive session; which is not an easy task. The steady drip of new bills has slowed way down and attention turns to next week and the first cut-off of this 2025 session. Bills must be passed out of their policy committee by the end of day next Friday, February 21. This becomes a pressure situation, with committee chairs doing their best to schedule and “exec” the bills that are ready and have the votes. Bills that have not been passed out of policy committees by next Friday are considered, “dead,” and will not move forward.

On Tuesday, the Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony on the first few education bills that were referred from the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee: SB 5192, regarding funding for school materials and SB 5263, regarding special education funding, both received long public hearings. After next week, expect the agendas of both the House Appropriations and the Senate Ways & Means Committees to be full.

Education Committee Schedules for next week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, February 17 @ 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 18 @ 4pm
Thursday, February 20 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, February 18 @ 8am
Wednesday, February 19 @ 10:30 am
Thursday February 20 @ 10:30 am

House Bills

Bills we’re following:

HB 1051: which gives parents and guardians of students with qualifying disabilities the right to audio record their student’s individualized education program team meetings (hearing time: 1:27 and 26:29). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens, representatives from Washington Autism Alliance and the SCPTSA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, the Mead SD and the Issaquah Education Assoc. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1079: which would allow school districts to provide all students enrolled in online school programs the option to take statewide standardized tests remotely, beginning in the 2026-27 school year (hearing time: 1:49:59). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1257: which requires that special education and related services for students with disabilities be provided to the end of the school year in which a student turns age 22, or high school graduation, whichever occurs first (hearing time: 31:19). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, CISWA and several concerned citizens. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1273: which directs ESDs to collaborate with specified entities to streamline regional efforts that support students’ dual credit access and directs the SBCTC to develop a plan for improving its online career and technical education (CTE) dual credit administrative data system (hearing time: 7:50). Testifying in support: representatives from UW Bothell, WA STEM, Career Connect NW and ESD 112. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WACTE and the SBCTC. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1285: which would make financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools and requires public school students, beginning with the graduating class of 2031, to meet the high school state financial education learning standards to graduate (hearing time: 2:35). Testifying in support: Representatives from FEPPP, WASA, WABankers, NAIFA, several concerned citizens and the SBE. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSPTA. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

SHB 1296: which would make changes to delineated rights of parents and legal guardians of public school children, establish a statement of student rights and associated duties for school districts, and would establish anti-retaliation protections for public school employees (hearing time: 1:12:20). Testifying in support: representatives from the SCPTSA, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Eatonville School Board and Reject 5599. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 1393: which requires school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to permit students to wear one item or object of cultural significance at high school commencements and other official graduation ceremonies and events (hearing time: 1:07). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens, representatives from WSCA and the AWSP. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am

HB 1404: which would require public schools, beginning with the 2026-27 school year, to provide free breakfast and lunch each school day to any requesting students, and at no charge to the students. The bill extends eligibility provisions for LAP and National Board Certification funding for school districts, subject to the meal provision requirements through the 2029-30 school year. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1414: which directs OSPI, in consultation with the Department of Labor, to establish a work group to recommend changes to state laws and practices affecting the training, certification, and employment of 16- and 17-year-olds enrolled in or who completed career and technical education programs (hearing time: 1:55). Testifying in support: representatives from the Tri-Tech Skills Center, several concerned citizens, Washington Skill Centers and Northwest Maritime. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1450: which directs OSPI to administer TTK programs in coordination with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to authorize programs, approve sites, and set enrollment caps. The bill also limits early entry to kindergarten to children who are likely to be successful in kindergarten as well as aligns TTK and ECEAP standards (hearing time: 54:33). Testifying in support: representatives from WACHILD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, the Rural Ed Center, several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from Start Early WA, Meridian SD, WACHARTERS, FYSB, OSPI, WSA Head Start & ECEAP and several concerned citizens. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1634: which would establish a network of statewide and regional partners to provide school districts with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive student supports relating to behavioral health (hearing time: 2:20). Testifying in support: representatives from the AESD, OSPI, CISWA, Medical Lake SD and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1651: which establishes teacher residency programs, describes a teacher apprenticeship program and establishes requirements for teacher apprenticeship programs (and number of hours) and requires the PESB to establish a process to approve these programs (hearing time: 1:15:51). Testifying in support: representatives from PESB and a concerned citizen. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1676: which establishes a state maximum of 24 charter schools that may operate at any one time and authorizes the Washington State Charter School Commission to reassign and authorize a charter contract that has been surrendered, revoked, or not renewed (hearing time: 132:02). Testifying in support: representatives from WA Charters and BESRWA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, Puget Sound Skill Center, OSPI and OLYEA. Scheduled for executive session on February 17 at 1:30pm.

HB 1795: which would place restrictions on the restraint and isolation techniques used on students, and specifically would ban chemical and mechanical restraint. As well as modifies notification requirements and would provide staff training requirements (hearing time: 1:20:18). Testifying in support: the representatives from the Arc of King CO, several concerned citizens and several concerned citizens.Testifying as “other:” representatives from the WEA, AWSP, PSE, Pullman SD, Lakewood SD and several concerned citizens. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1817: directs OSPI to post staff training materials on trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to disclosures of sexual abuse, misconduct, and assault and to develop a student and family guide on laws, policies, and procedures related to this topic and mandatory reporting as we as requires mandatory reporter training for school employees (hearing time: 24:02). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

HB 1832: which would provide funding for students not meeting ELA or math standards, provides funding for schools that meet a specified assessment growth threshold, and repeals National Board Certificate Bonuses (hearing time: 101:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the Washington Policy Center and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from OSPI, WEA and a concerned citizen. Scheduled for executive session on February 20 at 8am.

Senate Bills

New this week:

SB 5724: which would improve student access to dual credit programs, including career and technical education dual credit programs.

Bills we’re following:

SB 5004: which would update emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons (hearing time: 16:58 and 28.50). Testifying in support: representatives from Make Our Girls Safe, Yakima SD, and the Conservative Ladies of WA. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5025: which directs the PESB to adopt separate standards for deaf and deaf-blind educational interpreters and creates a two-tiered certificate system for educational interpreters (hearing time: 00:33 and 1:24:44). Testifying in support: representatives from SCPTSA and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5123: which would add protected classes to the nondiscrimination provisions that apply to Washington public schools: ethnicity, homelessness, immigration status, and neurodivergence (hearing time: 1:07:49). Testifying in support: representatives from LYAC, WSASP, several concerned citizens Testifying in opposition: representatives from Reject 5599, several concerned citizens and the Lynden SB. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5177: which would require OSPI to specify that the professional development resources that are provided on certain topics must consider the experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups (hearing time: 1:03:44). Testifying in support: representatives from The Arc of King County, SCPTSA and LYAC. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA, and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5179: which directs OSPI to establish a process to investigate and address complaints alleging noncompliance with state laws concerning civil rights; harassment, intimidation, and bullying; certain curriculum requirements; the use of restraint or isolation on a student; and student discipline (hearing time: 1:32:51). Testifying in support: The Arc of King County, OSPI, WSASP. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WSSDA, and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and scheduled for public hearing on February 17 at 4pm.

ESSB 5181: which modifies certain rights of parents and guardians of children enrolled in public school and removes rights related to notification requirements regarding medical services and treatment (hearing time: 2:29). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Sexual Violence Law Center, WSPTA, Gender Justice League, Northwest Progressive Institute and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WSCC, Lynden School Board, Eatonville SB and several concerned citizens. The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee. From the Washington State Standard, WA Senate Democrats Approve Changes to Parents, “Bill of Rights.”

SB 5189: which supports the implementation of competency-based education (hearing time: 1:11:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, Dishman Hills High School, La Conner School District, SBCTC, Highline Public Schools and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee and is scheduled for public hearing on February 17 at 4:00 PM

SB 5193: which supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs (hearing time: 51:16). Testifying in support: representatives from Stride K/12, Digital Public Schools Alliance, OSPI, Insight WA, River Homelink, and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5210: which would establish the ninth-grade success grant program (hearing time: 00:38 and 34:53). Testifying in support: representatives from the Center for High School Success, Tacoma Public Schools, Stand for Children, University of Washington, Prosser High School and Graham Kapowsin High School. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5240: which allows a school nurse or designated trained school personnel to use any available epinephrine on school property to respond to an anaphylactic reaction when certain requirements are met as well as provides liability protections when epinephrine is administered in substantial compliance with the written policies of the school district (hearing time: 1:00:00). Testifying as “other:” representatives from SNOW and WFIS. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5253: which extends special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22 (hearing time: 32:03).Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, CISWA, WSASP, Sherwood Community Services and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5272: which expands the school-related crimes of Interference by Force or Violence and Intimidation by Threat of Force or Violence, and increases the penalties for Interference by Force or Violence. The bill also requires standard signage notifying the public of these offenses and possible penalties to be displayed at public school gymnasiums, auditoriums, and public school athletic fields (hearing time: 5:16). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WACTE, Spokane PS, WOA, TEAMCHILD, Latin Community Fund, a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from AWSP. The bill was passed out of committee.

SB 5307: which would increase the special education funding multipliers for Pre-K and K-12 students, remove the 16 percent special education enrollment funding cap, and would allow OSPI to reserve up to 0.005 of excess cost allocations to use for certain statewide special education activities (hearing time: 2:14). Testifying in support: representatives from WSSDA, WASA, WSPTA, WEA, Supt of Seattle Public Schools, The Arc of King Co, OSPI, Supt of Bellevue School District, Supt of Tukwila SD, Federal Way PS, Supt of Highline PS, Supt of Issaquah, School Alliance, SCPTSA and several concerned citizens.

SB 5327: which directs the SBE to develop recommendations for students to have the opportunity to demonstrate competency of the high school computer science state learning standards, and consider how to incorporate the competencies into the framework of graduation requirements (hearing time: 56:17). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, CSTA WA and a concerned citizen. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5352: which requires all school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to any requesting student, beginning with the 2026-27 school year (hearing time: 11:34). Testifying in support: representatives from Governor Ferguson’s Office, CISWA, AEA, Franklin-Pierce SD, Washington SNA, WEA, Food Life Line, Kent SD Board of Directors, WA Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, Bethel SD and several concerned citizens.

SB 5358: which provides prototypical school funding for 6th grade Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) courses offered in a middle school (hearing time: 00:28). The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5369: which amends the statutory definition of school social worker and grants authority for ESDs to coordinate with local mental health agencies to arrange for in-school placements of licensed social worker associates and masters of social work candidates (hearing time: 1:35 and 1:07:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the UW Smart Center, WSCA, OSPI, NAMI WA, NAMI Youth, Communities in Schools of WA, Elevate with Purpose Initiative and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSASP, WASSW and the PESB. The bill was passed out of committee and sent to the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5386: which directs YLAC to lead a discussion about the requirements for mandatory reporting of child abuse or neglect and directs OSPI to to post staff training materials on trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses to disclosures of sexual abuse, including best practices for working with local community experts, and to develop a student and family guide on laws/policies related to this topic by November 1, 2026 (hearing time: 8:21). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and several concerned students. Testifying as “other:” a concerned school psychologist. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5418: which allows charter school contracts to include exemptions to one or more of the basic education requirements (hearing time: 53:41). Testifying in support: a concerned citizen, and representatives from the WA State Charter School Commission. The bill has passed out of committee and sent to the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5517: which increases the minimum state allocation for classified staff salaries over three school years, beginning in the 2025-26 school year and provides different minimum state allocations for classified administrative staff and other classified staff beginning in the 2027-28 (hearing time: 36:20). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, SEA, Foster High School, SEIU 925, several concerned citizens, PSE SEIU and WASBO. Testifying as “other:” Supt. of Deer Park SD.

SB 5551: which requires by September 1, 2026, each school district must adopt or amend: A policy that acknowledges the requirement for boards of directors to provide every student with access to school library information and technology programs (hearing time: 29:58). Testifying in support: representatives from the WLA and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: the Supt. of Deer Park SD and the Northshore SD. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Mead SD.

SB 5570: which requires school districts to incorporate curricula about the nearest federally recognized Indian tribe or tribes into their social studies curricula no later than September 1, 2026, and requires districts to collaborate with neighboring tribes on coordinating curricula (hearing time: 1:35). Testifying in support: the Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, representatives from the WSNAEAC, several concerned citizens, Marysville SD, Ferndale SD and Children of the Setting Sun Productions. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5596: which states that every person employed by a school district in a teaching or other nonsupervisory certificated position shall be subject to nonrenewal of employment contract during the first three years of employment by such district, unless, the employee has previously completed at least two years of certificated employment in another school district in the state of Washington (hearing time: 55:24). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Dept. of Defense. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the PESB and CSG. Scheduled for executive session on February 18 at 8am.

SB 5637: which requires school districts that operate a high school provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student hearing time: 1:28). Testifying in support: several high school students and representatives from LYAC. Scheduled for executive session on February 18 at 8am.

SB 5654: which prohibits certain interventions, including chemical and mechanical restraint, and prohibits the construction of isolation rooms. The bill allows physical restraint and isolation only when certain requirements are met and prohibits the isolation of students in prekindergarten through grade five beginning August 1, 2027 (hearing time 00:54). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, Disability of Rights WA, TEAMCHILD, True Measure Collaborative, Crisis Prevention Inst., ARC of King County, Pullman SD, SEAC, and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the LILAC Learning Center, SEIU 925 paraeducators, AWSP, WEA and PSE.

SB 5693: which describes a teacher residency, establishes requirements for Teacher Residency Programs, and directs the PESB to establish a process for approving the transition of an existing Teacher Preparation Program to a Teacher Residency Program (hearing time: 1:08:35).

Odds and Ends

There has been a lot of press regarding national scores in math and reading, but what can we do about it? From NPR, A Deep Dive on US Reading and Math Scores, and What to do About Them.

An interesting take on strictly following the curriculum. From, “The Conversation,” Why Being Forced to Precisely Follow a Curriculum Harms Teachers and Students.

Legislative Update for the week of February 7

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 7, 2025
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday everyone! The legislature wrapped up week 4 of session and was as busy as ever. Lawmakers remain working hard, hearing public testimony on numerous bills and voting many onto the respective rules and fiscal committees. The first cut-off date is Friday, February 21, just two weeks away. Given this looming cut-off, we should expect policy committee members to maintain their full schedules and fast pace.

On Tuesday, the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee heard public testimony on SB 5352, sponsored by Sen. Marcus Riccelli, which would expand free breakfast and lunch to all public school students. During the hearing, Committee Chair, Sen. Lisa Wellman, noted the budget crisis that Washington is facing. She referenced the three bills brought before their committee last week which would help fund special education, student transportation and basic materials. Sen. Wellman cast doubt that all items would be able to be fully funded, and asked those testifying which of the other bills SB 5352 should replace. Funding school lunches is also a priority of Governor Fergeson and his office was represented on Tuesday, testifying in support of the legislation.

On Thursday, the House Education Committee surprised those watching by breaking for caucus for nearly 90 minutes, only to return and announce that no bills scheduled for executive session would be exec’d after all. Rep. Sharon Tomiko-Santos gave no further details on why the bills stalled during caucus, however, this leaves the sponsors of those four bills in limbo, hoping they get put back on the committee’s schedule before policy cut-off.

Quick Note – Yesterday, February 6, State Superintendent, Chris Reykdal released a statement regarding President Trump’s latest executive order regarding trans-female athletes participating in sports. Read his full press release here.

Education Committee Schedules for next week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, February 10 @ 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 11 @ 4pm
Thursday, February 13 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, February 11 @ 8am
Wednesday, February 12 @ 10:30 am
Thursday February 13 @ 10:30 am

House Bills

New this week:

HB 1832: which would provide additional funding for school districts to target support for students who are not meeting grade level standards in math and ELA as well as provide additional bonuses to educators whose efforts directly lead to improved student performance on assessments.

HB 1855: which expands state protections for marginalized students regardless of federal action or inaction.

Bills we’re following:

HB 1189: which requires school districts to follow specific procedures when receiving and denying applications from students’ parents/legal custodians who are volunteering to have unsupervised access to minors or individuals with developmental disabilities and who have criminal convictions on their record checks (hearing time: 1:30:08). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens.

Senate Bills

New this week:

SB 5637: which requires school districts that operate a high school provide a mandatory one-half credit stand-alone course in civics for each high school student.

SB 5670: which creates a fuel tax assistance grant program to help fund rural schools’

transportation costs.

SB 5693: which designates the role of the PESB to establish and oversee additional teacher residency requirements as well as specific requirements for teacher apprenticeship programs.

Bills we’re following:

SB 5003: which would establish the school security and preparedness infrastructure grant program (hearing time: 11:59 and 21:21). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, the Conservative Ladies of WA, and a concerned citizen.

SB 5007: which requires each ESD to develop and offer training for staff to address excessive absenteeism and truancy. Secondly, the bill adds supporting students who are chronically absent to the Building Bridges Program (hearing time: 12:09 and 1:08:19). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, CISWA, WAESD, Big Brothers Big Sisters, SBCTC, a concerned citizen, and the Supt. of Kiona-Benton City SD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA.

SB 5008: which requires OSPI to establish a temporary grant program to support the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools for K-12 students in math and English language arts, subject to appropriations. (hearing time: 1:04).

SB 5080: which directs the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership (FEPPP) to create a statewide financial education graduation requirement implementation plan, informed by data from school districts (hearing time: 3:47 and 31:54). Testifying in support: representatives from FEPPP, Canopy Credit Union, WBA, WSYR, Westbanks Financial, WBBA and SBE. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA. WA Bill would Require High School Students to Receive Financial Education before Graduating.

SB 5120: which would expand the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) allocations for high poverty schools from 1.1 to 1.6 hours per week (hearing time: 46:06). Testifying in support: representatives from Seattle PS, Tukwila SD, WEA, LEV, WSASP, OSPI and the Foundation for Tacoma Students.

SB 5126: which would direct the OSPI to provide direction and state-level coordination to help schools better identify and connect students to behavioral health supports. The bill establishes a regional school-based mental and behavioral health student assistance program through the educational service districts (hearing time: 16:52). Testifying in support: representatives from the Port Angeles SD, the UW School of Medicine, CISWA, WSPTA, AESD, WSASP, NAMI WA, NAMI WA Youth, WCAAP and the Washington Youth Alliance. Testifying in opposition: representatives from CCHR and a concerned citizen.

SB 5134: which would require public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent and requires school districts to incorporate instruction about the Chinese Exclusion Act (hearing time: 1:03:20). Testifying in support: Pierce County Council District 6 Rep. Jani Hitchen, several concerned citizens and a representative from the CRPF of Tacoma. Testifying as “other:” a representative from the Washington State Historical Society and the WEA.

SB 5179: which directs OSPI to establish a process to investigate and address complaints alleging noncompliance with state laws concerning civil rights; harassment, intimidation, and bullying; certain curriculum requirements; the use of restraint or isolation on a student; and student discipline (hearing time: 1:32:51). Testifying in support: The Arc of King County, OSPI, WSASP. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WSSDA, and several concerned citizens. The bill was passed out of committee and was sent to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5180: which specifies certain components that must be included in a model policy and procedure relating to gender inclusive schools, as well as protects school employees from retaliation if they supported a student who exercised certain rights, or used curriculum or instructional materials that address subject matter related to sexual orientation, gender expression, or gender identity (hearing time: 33:42). Testifying in support: representatives from SCPTSA, the Shoreline SD, WA State LGBT Commission, PFLAG Skagit, the Queer Power Alliance, and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Lavender Rights Project.

SB 5189: which supports the implementation of competency-based education (hearing time: 1:11:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, Dishman Hills High School, LaConnor School District, SBCTC, Highline Public Schools and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5192: which increases allocations for materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC) as well as provides that MSOC calculations must use a three-year rolling average for student enrollment and must be adjusted annually for inflation (hearing time: 1:29:07). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, the Supt of Bellevue SD, Supt of Tukwila SD, CFO of Federal Way PS, Supt of Highline PS, Supt of Richland SD, Supt of Kennewick SD, Supt of Seattle PS, Supt of ESD 105, Supt of Lake Stevens SD, Supt of Issaquah SD and the Supt of Deer Park SD. Testifying as “other:” representatives from the Chehalis SD. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SSB 5263: which would increase the special education funding multipliers to 1.6381 for Pre-K students and 1.5289 for K-12 students and would eliminate multiplier tiers that provide different levels of funding based on time spent in a general education setting (hearing time: 2:14). Testifying in support: representatives from WSSDA, WASA, WSPTA, WEA, Supt of University Place, Supt of Franklin-Pierce SD, Supt of Peninsula SD, Supt of Cheney PS, Lake Stevens SD, Supt of Issaquah, Supt of Richland SD, Supt of Kennewick SD, School Alliance, SCPTSA and OSPI. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5270: which requires school districts receiving funding for the Beginning Educator Support Team Program to provide a mentor to any novice school nurse employed by the district (hearing time: 49:03). Testifying in support: representatives of SNOW and OSPI. Testifying as “other:” representatives of AWSP and the WEA.

SB 5358: which provides prototypical school funding for 6th grade Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) courses offered in a middle school (hearing time: 00:28).

SB 5369: which amends the statutory definition of school social worker and grants authority for ESDs to coordinate with local mental health agencies to arrange for in-school placements of licensed social worker associates and masters of social work candidates (hearing time: 1:35 and 1:07:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the UW Smart Center, WASSW, WSCA, OSPI, NAMI WA, NAMI Youth, Communities in Schools of WA, Elevate with Purpose Initiative and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSASP and the PESB.

SB 5567: which would expand secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation. Scheduled for a public hearing at 10:30am on February 12th.

Odds and Ends

“While disparities in kindergarten readiness still exist, the district has seen growth in readiness among almost every student demographic.” From the Seattle Times, Seattle’s Pre-K Program is Helping More Students Prepare for Kindergarten.

“Computer science is not just nice to have but a fundamental skill for today’s K-12 students.” From ED Week, Computer Science for All: This District Leader is Making it a Reality.

Legislative Update for the week of January 31st

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 31, 2025
Education, Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature

That’s a wrap for week three of session, and the pace in Olympia has not let up. Along with work sessions and public hearings, we are now seeing committees holding executive sessions in order to move legislation forward to respective fiscal and rules committees. A theme that is shared amongst both chambers is the need for increased school funding, in terms of behavioral health, special education, student transportation, staffing and materials.

Although this session is considered “long,” lawmakers only have 105 to make the most of the legislation that is brought before them. The first cut-off date of session is Friday, February 20, and looms large over the heads of policy committee members. In order to move forward in the legislative process, bills must be passed out of their respective policy committees and into either fiscal or rules committees within their house of origin. Bills that are not voted out of policy committees by that date are considered, “dead,” and will not move forward this session.

Both the Senate and the House Education Committees held work sessions this week focusing on graduation requirements and maximizing instructional hours. The State Board of Education (SBE) proposed their Future Ready Initiative, to the Senate-Ed committee members, touching on its three-phased approach which spans several years, “culminating in a major legislative proposal anticipated for the 2027 session.”

Education Committee Schedules for next week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, February 3 @ 1:30pm
Tuesday, February 4 @ 4pm
Thursday, February 6 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, February 4 @ 8am
Wednesday, February 5 @ 10:30am
Thursday February 6 @ 10:30am

House Bills

New this week:

HB 1590: which supports student success through instruction in self-resiliency skills.

HB 1618: which would give access to college in the high school to private school students.

HB 1634: which would provide school districts and public schools with assistance to coordinate comprehensive behavioral health supports for students.

HB 1637: which concerns non firearm measures to increase school safety for students and staff.

HB 1651: which concerns teacher residency and apprenticeship programs.

HB 1662: which removes the requirement for certain education agencies to reside in the OSPI for administrative purposes and by making other necessary changes to support independent administration of each agency.

HB 1663: which would enhance youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

HB 1699: which aims to defend equity in interscholastic sports.

HB 1722: which reviews state restrictions affecting students participating in secondary career and technical education programs and other state-approved career pathways.

HB 1727: which concerns school library information and technology programs.

Bills we’re following:

HB 1051: which would permit the recording of individualized education program team meetings. Bill scheduled for Public Hearing on February 3 at 1:30pm

HB 1151: which would establish the ninth-grade success grant program. Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1296: which would make changes to delineated rights of parents and legal guardians of public school children, establish a statement of student rights and associated duties for school districts, and would establish anti-retaliation protections for public school employees (hearing time: 1:12:20). Testifying in support: representatives from the SCPTSA, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Eatonville School Board and Reject 5599. The bill was passed out of committee.

HB 1404: which would increase student access to free meals served at public schools. Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1450: which directs OSPI to administer TTK programs in coordination with to work with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to authorize programs, approve sites, and set enrollment caps. The bill also limits early entry to kindergarten to children who are likely to be successful in kindergarten as well as aligns TTK and ECEAP standards (hearing time: 54:33). Testifying in support: representatives from WACHILD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, the Rural Ed Center, several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from Start Early WA, Meridian SD, WACHARTERS, FYSB, OSPI, WSA Head Start & ECEAP and several concerned citizens.

Senate Bills

New this week:

SB 5483: which aims to preserve history and heritage education.

SB 5517: which relates to determining state allocations for school staff salaries.

SB 5551: which concerns school library information and technology programs.

SB 5564: which would make modifications to the goals of basic education.

SB 5567: which would expand secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation.

SB 5570: which aims to support public school instruction in tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes.

SB 5574: which would provide instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools.

SB 5596: which would repeal the interstate teacher mobility compact.

Bills we’re following:

SSB 5181: which modifies certain rights of parents and guardians of children enrolled in public school and removes rights related to notification requirements regarding medical services and treatment (hearing time: 2:29). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Sexual Violence Law Center, WSPTA, Gender Justice League, Northwest Progressive Institute and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WSCC, Lynden School Board, Eatonville SB and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5189: which supports the implementation of competency-based education (hearing time: 1:11:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, Dishman Hills High School, LaConnor School District, SBCTC, Highline Public Schools and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI.

SB 5263: which would increase the special education funding multipliers to 1.6381 for Pre-K students and 1.5289 for K-12 students and would eliminate multiplier tiers that provide different levels of funding based on time spent in a general education setting (hearing time: 2:14). Testifying in support: representatives from WSSDA, WASA, WSPTA, WEA, Supt of University Place, Supt of Franklin-Pierce SD, Supt of Peninsula SD, Supt of Cheney PS, Lake Stevens SD, Supt of Issaquah, Supt of Richland SD, Supt of Kennewick SD, School Alliance, SCPTSA and OSPI. The bill was passed out of committee and sent to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5272: which expands the school-related crimes of Interference by Force or Violence and Intimidation by Threat of Force or Violence, and increases the penalties for Interference by Force or Violence. The bill also requires standard signage notifying the public of these offenses and possible penalties to be displayed at public school gymnasiums, auditoriums, and public school athletic fields (hearing time: 5:16). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WACTE, Spokane PS, WOA, TEAMCHILD, Lation Community Fund, a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from AWSP

SB 5358: which provides prototypical school funding for 6th grade Career and Technical Education Program (CTE) courses offered in a middle school (hearing time: 00:28).

SB 5369: which amends the statutory definition of school social worker and grants authority for ESDs to coordinate with local mental health agencies to arrange for in-school placements of licensed social worker associates and masters of social work candidates (hearing time: 1:35 and 1:07:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the UW Smart Center, WASSW, WSCA, OSPI, NAMI WA, NAMI Youth, Communities in Schools of WA, Elevate with Purpose Initiative and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSASP and the PESB.

Odds and Ends

What motivates the boys and girls in your classroom and how are those motivators different? From Education Week: Why School isn’t Working for Many Boys and What Could Help?

Looking for inspiration during the second semester? This week from KQED’s MindShift, Four Strategies for a Successful Second Semester.

Legislative Update: January 24, 2025

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 24, 2025
Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday! Lawmakers were hard at work this week, hearing testimony on a number of bills as well as still introducing new legislation to be considered by their peers. However, it’s hard to deny the role that the state’s Operating Budget is playing this session. With a projected $12 billion deficit and the short time in which lawmakers can address it, the budget remains top of mind and top of conversation.

Fiscal committees held hearings last week, listening to public testimony on the operating budget bills in both the House, HB 1198, and in the Senate, SB 5167. Representatives from all areas of the education system showed up to voice their thoughts regarding additional funding needs for our K-12 education system. If the start of session is any indicator of what the remaining weeks will look like, we are in for some major debate and discussion about where and how much we can allocate to our public schools.

The House Education Committee held two lengthy work sessions this week. Tuesday’s meeting focused on the work that the legislature has done thus far to address student behavioral and mental health in our state. HB 1547, which would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health, and is sponsored by the committee chair, Sharon Tomiko-Santos, is another example of this sustained effort over the last few cycles.

Over in the senate, the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, heard hours of testimony on topics focused on preventing discrimination, school inclusivity and two separate but similar bills: SB 5263 and SB 5307, focused on special education. Increasing funding for special education has been a focal point for Washington’s State Superintendent, Chris Reykdol. He told KUOW last week, regarding his request for an additional $3 billion in K-12 funding, “about a third of that increase would go toward special education.”

Education Committee Schedules for next week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, January 27 @ 1:30pm
Tuesday, January 28 @ 4pm
Thursday, January 1/30 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, January 28 @ 8am
Wednesday, January 29 @ 10:30am
Thursday, January 30 @ 10:30am

House Bills

New this week:

HB 1393: which would provide public school students with opportunities for cultural expression at commencement ceremonies.

HB 1404: which would increase student access to free meals served at public schools. Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1414: which would create a CTE work group to improve access to career opportunities for students.

HB 1528: which would improve individualized education plans (IEPs) for special education.

HB 1547: which would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health.

Bills we’re following:

HB 1020: which would increase the accessibility of academic re-engagement opportunities for eligible students.

HB 1021: which works to promote educational stability for children of military families.

HB 1031: which aims to mitigate the impact of rising school facility temperatures resulting from climate change.

HB 1051: which would permit the recording of individualized education program team meetings.

HB 1079: which supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.

HB 1085: which aims to improve school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties. Referred to the Community Safety Committee.

HB 1122 or SB 5346: which would determine restrictions on mobile device usage by public school students. From The Seattle Times, Banning Cell Phones in Schools Gains Popularity in Red and Blue States.

HB 1134: which would promote resource conservation practices in public schools.

HB 1151: which would establish the ninth-grade success grant program. Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 1189: which addresses parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.

HB 1241: which would improve access to and the provision of free appropriate public education for students with disabilities.

HB 1257: or SB 5253: which would extend special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

HB 1295: which would use evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students.

Senate Bills

New this week:

SB 5327: which addresses learning standards and graduation requirements.

SB 5358: which concerns career and technical education in sixth grade.

SB 5369: which aims to enhance youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

Bills we’re following:

SB 5007: which would support students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school.

SB 5097: which relates to school boards and ensuring competitiveness in girls’ interscholastic athletic activities.

SB 5135: which concerns school districts’ authority to establish their curriculum.

SB 5137: which requires parental or legal guardian approval before a child participates in comprehensive sexual health education.

SB 5181: which modifies certain rights of parents and guardians of children enrolled in public school and removes rights related to notification requirements regarding medical services and treatment (hearing time: 2:29). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Sexual Violence Law Center, WSPTA, Gender Justice League, Northwest Progressive Institute and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WSCC, Lynden School Board, Eatonville SB and several concerned citizens. The bill passed out of committee and was sent to the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5189: which supports the implementation of competency-based education (hearing time: 1:11:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, Dishman Hills High School, LaConnor School District, SBCTC, Highline Public Schools and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI.

SB 5240: which would allow school districts to maintain a supply of epinephrine to address anaphylaxis in schools.

SB 5270 and 1352: which would provide mentors to novice nurses in the beginning educator support team program.

Odds and Ends

“Our school districts will be bankrupt … they will be required to do layoffs and school closures if we don’t take a very big leap forward in funding for special education for this coming school year.” From The Seattle Times, Why it could be a Big Year for Education in the WA Legislature.

On a lighter note…check out this new podcast, Spectacular Specimens, that airs on KUOW as of this week. The show is aimed towards curious kids and dives into the collections at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, the oldest museum in Washington state.

Legislative Update: January 17, 2025

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 17, 2025
Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

The 2025 Legislative Session officially began on Monday, January 13. Lawmakers got right to it, and committees began holding work sessions as well as taking public testimony on a number of bills. The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, headed by Senator Lisa Wellman, held two committee meetings right off the bat, hearing testimony on bills that centered on childcare and school emergency response systems. The House Education Committee, led by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, did not hold public hearings this first week, however, they met three times for in-depth work sessions regarding K-12 agencies and the post-pandemic systems in education.

As one can see, there were a slew of bills released this week, and quite a few are timely in the world of K-12 education. One example is HB 1122, that would restrict cell phone use in public schools. There was a similar bill to this last session that didn’t make it to the governor’s desk. HB 1122 made news this week; The Seattle Times’ Education Lab went in-depth on the details of the bill and reported on solutions that districts in neighboring states are using to address the cell phone problem. HB 1122 would require school districts to adopt a policy restricting student cell phone use during instructional time by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson was sworn in as Washington State’s new governor on Wednesday and is already striking a different tone than former Governor Inslee. Ferguson announced a goal of $4 billion in budget cuts, along with $1.3 billion worth of new programs that he wants to see in the 2025-27 biennial budget. According to reports in Cascade PBS, “The $12 billion predicted shortfall is likely the Legislature’s biggest problem in the upcoming 105-day session.” Regarding K-12 funding, the Seattle Times reported that Ferguson was particularly critical of Inslee’s proposal, which spends about 42% on schools, a slice that has been criticized as backsliding by the state teacher’s union. “The final budget must invest a higher percentage of the total budget toward K-12 schools,” Ferguson stated. Among that proposed K-12 spending, Ferguson proposed $480 million to guarantee school lunches for every Washington student.

Education Committee Schedules for Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, January 20 @ 1:30pm
Tuesday, January 21 @ 4pm
Thursday, January 23 @ 830am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, January 21 @ 8am
Wednesday, January 22 @ 130pm
Thursday, January 23 @ 10:30am

House Bills

HB 1020: which would increase the accessibility of academic re-engagement opportunities for eligible students.

HB 1021: which works to promote educational stability for children of military families.

HB 1031: which aims to mitigate the impact of rising school facility temperatures resulting from climate change.

HB 1032: which concerns school district elections.

HB 1051: which would permit the recording of individualized education program team meetings.

HB 1079: which supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.

HB 1085 or SB 5272: which aims to improve school safety by extending penalties for interference by, or intimidation by threat of, force or violence at schools and extracurricular activities and requiring schools to notify the public of such penalties.

HB 1122: which would determine restrictions on mobile device usage by public school students. For more on this, from The Seattle Times, WA Bill Would Limit Cell Phone Use in Schools.

HB 1134: which would promote resource conservation practices in public schools.

HB 1151: which would establish the ninth-grade success grant program.

HB 1189: which addresses parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.

HB 1241: which would improve access to and the provision of free appropriate public education for students with disabilities.

HB 1257: or SB 5253: which would extend special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

HB 1259: which concerns supervision requirements for behavioral health professionals in elementary and secondary public schools.

HB 1285: which would make financial education instruction a graduation requirement in public schools.

HB 1289: would use a survey to gather information on how to improve the public school system.

HB 1295: which would use evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students.

Senate Bills

SB 5003: which would establish the school security and preparedness infrastructure grant program (hearing time: 11:59 and 21:21). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, the Conservative Ladies of WA, and a concerned citizen.

SB 5004: which would update emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons (hearing time: 16:58 and 28.50). Testifying in support: representatives from Make Our Girls Safe, Yakima SD, and the Conservative Ladies of WA

SB 5007: which would support students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school.

SB 5008: which would support the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools.

SB 5009: which modifies the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

SB 5012: which concerns the organization of interscholastic athletics.

SB 5025: which concerns educational interpreters.

SB 5080: which would make financial education instruction a graduation requirement.

SB 5097: which relates to school boards and ensuring competitiveness in girls’ interscholastic athletic activities.

SB 5113: which concerns the cost-of-living adjustments for plan 1 retirees of the teachers’ retirement system and public employees’ retirement system.

SB 5123: which would expand protections for LGBTQ+ students to promote inclusivity in public schools.

SB 5126: which would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health.

SB 5134: which would require public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent and requires school districts to incorporate instruction about the Chinese Exclusion Act (hearing time: 1:03:20). Testifying in support: Pierce County Council District 6 Rep. Jani Hitchen, several concerned citizens and a representative from the CRPF of Tacoma. Testifying as “other:” a representative from the Washington State Historical Society and the WEA.

SB 5135: which concerns school districts’ authority to establish their curriculum.

SB 5136: which aims to protect the rights of parents and guardians by using students’ given names in public schools.

SB 5137: which requires parental or legal guardian approval before a child participates in comprehensive sexual health education.

SB 5177: which would consider the experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.

SB 5180: which aims to secure the rights of students to have a safe, civil, and respectful learning community.

SB 5181: which would amend the parents’ rights initiative to align it with existing law.

SB 5187: which provides adequate and predictable student transportation.

SB 5189: which supports the implementation of competency-based education (hearing time: 1:11:45). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, Dishman Hills High School, LaConnor School District, SBCTC, Highline Public Schools and the WEA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Conservative Ladies of WA and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI.

SB 5192: which concerns school district materials, supplies, and operating costs.

SB 5193: which supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs (hearing time: 51:16). Testifying in support: representatives from Stride K/12, Digital Public Schools Alliance, OSPI, Insight WA, River Homelink, and a concerned citizen.

SB 5210: which would establish the ninth-grade success grant program (hearing time: 00:38 and 34:53). Testifying in support: representatives from the Center for High School Success, Tacoma Public Schools, Stand for Children, University of Washington, Prosser High School and Graham Kapowsin High School.

SB 5240: which would allow school districts to maintain a supply of epinephrine to address anaphylaxis in schools.

SB 5263: which would require OSPI to submit a programmed budget request for special education programs for students with disabilities every other year.

SB 5270 and 1352: which would provide mentors to novice nurses in the beginning educator support team program.

SB 5271: which would require school districts of the first class to employ a school nurse.

SJR 8200: which would amend the Constitution to allow 55 percent of voters voting to authorize school district bonds.

Odds and Ends

“How many gluten-free snickerdoodles, mocha chocolate chip cookies and whole wheat loaves would it take to raise $4 billion?” From The Seattle Times, WA Parents Launch a Billion Dollar Bake Sale for K-12 Funding.
Out of respect to those who are in the midst of the California wildfire devastation, this article from NPR touches on the issue of school closures and what students are experiencing during this difficult time.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Samantha Miller returns as CSTP’s Legislative Updates Coordinator for the 2024 legislative session. She writes weekly emails during the legislative session focusing on bills that impact Washington educators.

Samantha has degrees in both Political Science and History, as well as a Master in Teaching. Samantha has worked in Elementary Education for 6 years, most recently as a 3rd Grade general education teacher. The majority of her time is spent chasing around her two children who keep her very busy. Samantha enjoys running, working in her yard, listening to political podcasts, and spending time with her family.

Inclusion for All: Why General Education Teachers Can and Should Teach Special Education Students

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 14, 2025
Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom | education, special education, teacher of the year, teaching

This post was written by Kim Broomer, 2025 Washington State Teacher of the Year. Kim is a kindergarten teacher at Ruby Bridges Elementary in the Northshore School District. Kim is a dynamic educator committed to inclusive schools and creating a culture of belonging for each and every student she works with in her classroom and beyond.

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Every child deserves access to their neighborhood school, learning alongside their siblings, neighbors, and peers. Yet, in many cases, students with disabilities are denied this fundamental right. They are sent to schools outside their communities, under the rationale that their needs are “too complex” for general education teachers to handle. This misconception not only segregates students but also undermines the potential of educators to rise to the challenge of inclusion.

Sarah’s story is a poignant example of why this must change. Sarah was a bright and capable student with complex communication needs who was denied enrollment at her neighborhood school. While her brother and neighborhood friends rode to school together, she was sent to a school miles away. The reason? Her needs were deemed too intricate for her neighborhood school to accommodate. But when Sarah joined my classroom, it quickly became clear that her needs weren’t “too complex” at all, they were simply misunderstood.

Challenging the Myth of “Too Complex”

The notion that only special education teachers can meet the needs of students like Sarah is a myth rooted in outdated beliefs about disability and education. General education teachers are fully capable of teaching students with disabilities. Inclusive education isn’t about having all the answers upfront; it’s about a willingness to learn, adapt, and partner with specialists to meet the needs of every student.

Sarah’s presence in our classroom was a gift. She used an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to express herself, and her interests, humor, and insights quickly became a vibrant part of our community. With support from our special education team, we developed strategies that worked for her—integrating visuals into lessons, building in movement breaks, and using peer modeling. Far from being a burden, Sarah enriched our classroom, teaching us about patience, resilience, and the power of inclusion.

Schools Have a Responsibility to Their Communities

Every school has a responsibility to educate the students within its boundaries, regardless of ability. Denying students like Sarah access to their neighborhood schools sends a harmful message: that inclusion is optional and that some students belong elsewhere. This segregation not only isolates students with disabilities but also deprives their peers of the chance to learn from and with them.

Inclusion benefits everyone. Research shows that students in inclusive classrooms, both with and without disabilities, perform better academically and develop stronger social and emotional skills. Teachers in inclusive settings grow professionally, through learning new strategies that make them better educators for all students.

The Path Forward: Embracing Inclusion

Sarah’s success at school highlights what is possible when schools embrace inclusion. By working together, general and special education teachers, families, and administrators, we created an environment where she could thrive. Her story is a reminder that no student is “too complex” for their neighborhood school.

It’s time to dismantle the systems that segregate students and encourage collaboration that empowers general education teachers to meet diverse needs. Inclusion is not just a possibility, it is a necessity. When every child is welcomed, supported, and celebrated in their local school, we all grow stronger as a community.

Kim Broomer, NBCT

2025 Washington State Teacher of the Year

Kindergarten Teacher

Ruby Bridges Elementary

Legislative Preview: January 10, 2025

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 10, 2025
Education, Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature

We are back in action, here to kick off both the New Year and a new legislative session. The Legislature will convene for the regular 2025 legislative session on Monday, January 13 and is scheduled to end on April 27. The Washington State Legislature’s regular sessions run 105 days in odd numbered years, and 60 days in even numbered years. Longer sessions provide lawmakers with ample time to write their state’s two year budget, as well as submit hundreds of bills to be considered by their peers.

Washington State is a bicameral body, composed of the lower Washington House of Representatives with 98 representatives, and the upper Washington State Senate with 49 senators. Currently, the Democratic Party holds a trifecta in the legislature, meaning the Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature. For those who are interested in really getting into the nitty-gritty of the regular (long) session and understanding the process that bills go through before they are signed into law by our state’s governor, this article from the Washington State Standard, is a good resource.

Earlier in December, the outgoing Governor, Jay Inslee, released his proposed balanced budget for 2025-27. Inslee’s proposal highlights programs and services that include public safety, education, early learning, housing and behavioral health. His proposal provides K-12 education with an additional $1.3 billion for schools to support increased costs for maintenance, supplies, technology and educator compensation.

Inslee’s proposed spending plan also includes some cuts and reductions. KUOW reported that, “His proposal would pause pay bonuses for teachers who receive their National Board Certification and eliminate or reduce some education grant funding that officials say is ‘underutilized’ — including a program for training paraeducators.” Governor Inslee is serving his last term in office and Governor-elect, Bob Ferguson, will begin his term as Washington State’s 23rd governor on January 15. In late September, Washington State’s Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, gave a press conference highlighting his goals for the upcoming legislative cycle, as well as submitted his K-12 Operating budget requests to the governor. Reykdal emphasized the need for increased funding in the areas of special education, student transportation and high poverty schools. “Budget writers must recognize that schools today are expected to do everything from feeding and educating students, to supporting, protecting, and nurturing their developmental, physical, and mental health,” Reykdal stated.

Pre-Filed Bills

HB 1021: which works to promote educational stability for children of military families.

HB 1031: which aims to mitigate the impact of rising school facility temperatures resulting from climate change.

HB 1032: which concerns school district elections.

HB 1051: which would permit the recording of individualized education program team meetings.

HB 1079: which supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.

HB 1122: which would determine restrictions on mobile device usage by public school students.

HB 1134: which would promote resource conservation practices in public schools.

HB 1151: which would establish the ninth grade success grant program.

HB 1189: which aims to address parental involvement through volunteering in schools after a criminal conviction.

SB 5004: which would update emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons.

SB 5007: which would support students who are chronically absent and at risk for not graduating high school.

SB 5008: which would support the use of assessment, diagnostic, and learning tools in public schools.

SB 5009: which modifies the student transportation allocation to accommodate multiple vehicle types for transporting students.

SB 5012: which concerns the organization of interscholastic athletics.

SB 5025: which concerns educational interpreters.

SB 5030: which expands access to educational services by reducing barriers to obtaining vital records and allowing alternative forms of documentation.

SB 5080: which would make financial education instruction a graduation requirement.

SB 5097: which relates to school boards and ensuring the competitiveness in girls’ interscholastic athletic activities.

SB 5113: which concerns the cost-of-living adjustments for plan 1 retirees of the teachers’ retirement system and public employees’ retirement system.

SB 5123: which would expand protections for LGBTQ+ students to promote inclusivity in public schools.

SB 5126: which would establish a statewide network for student mental and behavioral health.

SB 5134: which would require public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.

SB 5135: which concerns school districts’ authority to establish their curriculum.

SB 5136: which aims to protect the rights of parents and guardians by using students’ given names in public schools.SB 5137: which requires parental or legal guardian approval before a child participates in comprehensive sexual health education.

Odds and Ends

Is it time to appoint Washington States’ school chief? From the Washington State Standard, Ferguson and GOP Leaders See Value in Eliminating WA’s Elected Schools Chief. From the Seattle Times’ Education Lab, Washington Needs More Early Childhood Educators. But the Pay is the Problem.

From the Seattle Times’ Education Lab, Washington Needs More Early Childhood Educators. But the Pay is the Problem.

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Final Weekly Legislative Update: March 15, 2024

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 15, 2024
Education Policy | districts, dual credit, dual language, education, education reform, Legislature, overdose prevention and awareness, paraeducators, teaching, tribal education

Here it is, your final update for the 2024 Legislative Session. Session officially came to a close last Thursday, March 7, and the last week of the legislative session is almost always a busy one on the hill. There are many moving pieces leading up to Sine Die, and it is quite common that last minute decisions are made simply because there is a pressure to get items wrapped up in time. However, this session did not bring with it the typical level of anxiety that we normally see during the last week as there were fewer outstanding issues that needed tending and most budget negotiations had been resolved prior to the last days of session.

During the last week, lawmakers released their finalized negotiated budgets: capital, operating and transportation. The Supplemental Operating budget, ESSB 5950, was released last Wednesday and now sits on the Governor’s desk awaiting signature. This supplemental budget makes slight adjustments to the 2023-25 biennial budget. The League of Education Voters website has a nice side-by-side visual of the final supplemental budget and the areas of education that were most impacted.

As we say goodbye to this session in Olympia, education advocates can feel pleasantly surprised about many of the advancements and financial investments that were made in education policy. Some of which have been discussed by lawmakers for many years. Crosscut noted, “A boost in the school construction formula to add $103 per square foot for school-building, and support for a statewide pilot project to increase the amount of time students with disabilities spend in general-education classrooms,” are just a few of the accomplishments that legislators made in the area of K-12 Education.

Bills Delivered to the Governor

HB 1146 : which requires public schools to notify high school students and their families about available dual credit programs and any available financial assistance in order to reduce dual credit and exam costs for students and their families.

3SHB 1228 : which creates grant programs for establishing dual language education and tribal language education programs, as well as requires literacy supports in service of American Indian and Alaska Native students, and modifies requirements related to the seal of biliteracy and the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program.

E4SHB 1239 : which would direct the Office of the Education Ombuds to create a simple and uniform access point for the receipt of complaints involving the elementary and secondary education system, as well as require the PESB and the Paraeducator Board to report to the Legislature on a code of educator ethics. This bill would also modify the defense for use of force on children with respect to teachers and other school staff.

ESHB 1277 : which directs the Paraeducator Board to update rules and publish guidance related to the fundamental course of study, and requires school districts to provide paraeducators two days of the four-day fundamental course of study, in person and by specified deadlines, unless the school district is granted an exemption by the Paraeducator Board.

ESHB 1608 : which requires the Secretary of Health to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors to any school district for use by designated trained school personnel. The bill also amends requirements related to school supplies of autoinjectors to include epinephrine.

HB 1879 : which would name the curriculum used to inform students about tribal history, culture, and government after John McCoy (lulilaš).

E2SHB 1956 : which directs the Department of Health to develop, implement, and maintain a statewide drug overdose prevention and awareness campaign to address the drug overdose epidemic through 2029, and tasks OSPI with developing and updating age-appropriate substance use prevention and awareness materials for school and classroom use. The bill also requires OSPI to adjust the state health and physical education learning standards for middle and high school students to add opioids to the list of drugs included in drug-related education.

HB 2110 : which makes revisions to high school graduation requirement provisions without modifying the requirements or related school district and state agency duties and authorizations.

2SHB 2236 : which directs OSPI to develop an Allied Health Professions Career and Technical Education Core Plus Program and provide available curriculum and instructional materials to districts and skill centers for optional use by the 2027-28 school year.

ESHB 2331 : which requires school district Instructional Materials Committees (IMCs) to include at least one parent member, and directs the IMC to include recommendations for culturally and experientially representative instructional materials. The bill also prohibits school districts from refusing to approve or prohibit the use of any instructional (or supplemental) material on the basis that it relates to or includes the study or contributions of any individual or group who is part of a protected class unless the content contains discriminatory bias.

ESB 5462 : which directs OSPI and WSSDA to update a model policy to require school districts to adopt inclusive curricula and select diverse, equitable, inclusive, age-appropriate instructional materials that include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of historically marginalized, underrepresented groups, which would also include the perspectives, contributions and histories of LGBTQ people, by December 1, 2024.

SB 5852: which modifies safety net award eligibility and award adjustment provisions and requires that a survey of small school districts be used to implement a simplified, standardized safety net application.

2SSB 5882 : which increases staff allocations for teaching assistants, office support staff, and non instructional aides in the prototypical school funding model.

SB 5883: which establishes burden of proof requirements for special education due process hearings.

Odds and Ends

One of the education bills that made it to the Governor’s desk this session was SB 5883 , which will require school districts to prove that they provided adequate services to children. This bill remained controversial throughout the session. The Seattle Times’ reporter, Dahlia Bazzaz, digs deeper into this issue in WA Lawmakers Ease Burden for Parents Challenging School Special Ed .

Back to the issue of “chronic absenteeism,” although WA State lawmakers were unable to succeed in legislation that tackled this issue, there are others out there doing the work! This week from NPR, Battling Student Absenteeism with Grandmas, Vans and Lots of Love .

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update: March 8, 2024

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 8, 2024
Education Policy | dual credit, dual language, education, education reform, Legislature, overdose awareness, paraeducators, teaching, tribal language education

Well that’s a wrap! Yesterday, March 7, was the last day of the 2024 Legislative Session, or “Sine Die.” It is always impressive how much work legislators are able to get done in the last few days. Many education bills made it to the governor’s desk this week, inching their way closer to being signed into law. If a bill reaches the Governor’s desk when there are more than five days left in session, he is required to sign it within those five days. If a bill is received with five days remaining, or less, the Governor has 20 days to take action, or not, on the bill.

It is good to remember that the last few days of session are a flurry of activity, with the primary focus being budget negotiations, which mostly occur behind closed doors. Unsurprisingly, education spending is the biggest chunk of this year’s capital and operating budgets. On Wednesday, lawmakers approved the capital budget which includes roughly $306 million for school construction. This money for schools is spread across four areas: the School Construction Assistance Program, small districts, career and technical education facilities and heating, cooling and ventilation systems. That legislation now heads to the Governor for his final signature. Other areas of K-12 education that will receive funding increases are paraeducators and teacher’s aides, who have spent years advocating for pay raises, basic school maintenance, operations and supplies, and special education. In this year’s plan , districts can receive special education funding for up to 16% of their populations, up from 15%.

On Thursday, Superintendent Chris Reykdal released his statement to the press regarding this year’s legislative session. “Through their final budgets, the Legislature has made clear their commitment to sustaining evidence-based investments in student learning and well-being that are targeted to have the greatest impact,” stated Reykdal. OSPI and Reykdal prioritized special education services, mental and behavioral health, access to school meals, increased compensation to retain paraeducators, dual language, access to early literacy programs and more.

Bills Delivered to the Governor

EsHB 1608 : which requires the Secretary of Health to issue a statewide standing order prescribing epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors to any school district for use by designated trained school personnel. The bill also amends requirements related to school supplies of autoinjectors to include epinephrine.

HB 1879 : which would name the curriculum used to inform students about tribal history, culture, and government after John McCoy (lulilaš).

HB 2110 : which makes revisions to high school graduation requirement provisions without modifying the requirements or related school district and state agency duties and authorizations.

SB 5883 : which establishes burden of proof requirements for special education due process hearings.

Bills We’re Following

SHB 1915 : which requires public school students, beginning with the class of 2031, and charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, beginning in or before the 2027-28 school year, to earn one-half credit of financial education instruction (FEI) as a graduation prerequisite. The bill also directs the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership to review specified financial education information submitted by school districts and create a statewide implementation plan for the financial education credit provision and graduation requirements by September 30, 2026. The bill has passed both chambers.

SSB 5804 : which requires all school districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools, to obtain and maintain opioid overdose reversal medication in each school and to adopt a related policy. The bill also makes grant programs available for purchasing opioid overdose reversal medication and training personnel to administer the medication. For more on this bill, check out this week’s article in the Washington State Standard. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

2SSB 5882 : which increases staff allocations for teaching assistants, office support staff, and non instructional aides in the prototypical school funding model. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President.

Odds and Ends

“Empowering students with a tool like financial education is a catalyst for unlocking greater opportunities and success in their futures. This week from The Seattle Times, Tri-Cities Student Lobbies for More Financial Literacy in WA Schools .

Last week, Washington lawmakers heard mixed testimony on Initiative 2081, which aims to bolster the voices of parents in the state’s K-12 public schools. From the Washington State Standard, “WA Lawmakers Hear Debate on Parental Rights Initiative .”

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Weekly Legislative Update: March 1, 2024

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 1, 2024
Education Policy | dual credit, dual language, education, education reform, Legislature, overdose prevention and awareness, paraeducators, teaching, tribal education

Happy Friday! It is hard to believe that we have made it to the last week of the 2024 Legislative Session. Next Thursday, March 7, is the final day, and what a whirlwind this short session has been. On Monday, legislators watched as their bills succeeded (or failed) to make it out of fiscal committees before the 5pm deadline. Today, March 1, is the cut-off for Rules committees to get bills scheduled to the floor calendar. Bills that do not make it to the floor will never make it to the governor’s desk.

Last Friday, the Senate passed its Operating Supplemental Budget, ESSB 5950, which will likely be the backbone of the final 2024 Operating Supplemental Budget. Keep in mind that budget bills do not follow the same path as other legislation. Most negotiations are done behind closed doors and in the final days of session. As The Seattle Times put it, “You can think of the ongoing short session, which ends March 7, as the halfway mark in the state’s two-year budget cycle,” and these particular budget negotiations have many issues lawmakers are having to factor in.

One such factor that could impact state spending on K-12 Education is the potential impacts of Initiative 2109, which will appear on the November ballot. If passed, I-2109 would repeal the state’s new capital gains tax and the state could expect to collect about $1 billion less in that tax per year. This could have direct impacts on the state’s funding of K-12 schools. According to The Seattle Times, each year $500 million in revenues from the tax go to a state education account spanning early learning, K-12 and higher education. Any capital gains tax revenues above $500 million go toward building and repairing schools. Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, was quoted saying, “The state must fund basic K-12 education, so a repeal in November would mean that legislators would target early learning and higher education programs, as well as nonbasic spending on K-12, to trim spending of proceeds from the tax.”

Watch House and Senate Floor action on TVW.org

Bills We’re Following

3SHB 1228 : which creates grant programs for establishing dual language education and tribal language education programs, as well as requires literacy supports in service of American Indian and Alaska Native students, and modifies modifies requirements related to the seal of biliteracy and the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program. The bill has passed the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 1879 : which would name the curriculum used to inform students about tribal history, culture, and government after John McCoy (lulilaš). The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker.

2SSB 5882 : which increases staff allocations for teaching assistants, office support staff, and non instructional aides in the prototypical school funding model. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SB 5883 : which establishes burden of proof requirements for special education due process hearings. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the Senate President.

Odds and Ends

“It was a little shocking for us when there was so much opposition to the bill because the intent was really to hear other genocide voices and incorporate them.” From The Seattle Times, Holocaust Education Requirement Fails in WA Legislature.

“Some colleges and universities with teacher training programs are amending their courses so they’re more in line with the latest research.” This week from KQED’w MindShift, Teacher Training Programs Don’t Always Use Research-Backed Reading Methods .