Learn about the Washington State and National PTA Legislative priorities and other supported issues, how to support your school, and find out more ways to get involved! 
Find more here: www.wastatepta.org/advocacy

The Washington State budget is set every two years and WA State PTA sets its legislative priorities for the biennium based on the same time frame. In October 2016, at WA State PTA Legislative Assembly, the body voted on our platform which consists of 10 priority issues and 3 resolutions. The top 5 issues were ranked and will be the focus for the next biennium. This doesn't mean that the WA State PTA Legislative Chair and staff won't bring these issues to the attention of our State Legislators. The top 5 help the State PTA focus energy and resources on these issues that the voting delegation considers a priority this legislative session. 

In the 2017-18 Legislative Biennium, the Washington State PTA will set these 5 issues are their top 5 priorities: 

1. Create positive school climates through social emotional learning – In the 2017-18 Legislative Biennium, the Washington State PTA shall initiate and / or support legislation / policies which engage in deliberate efforts to create positive school climates, including those that pertain to Social Emotional Learning:

• Integrate Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) within the K-12 education system through development of standards and benchmarks, technical assistance, and guidance with research supported curriculum and instruction techniques.
• Prioritize the use of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies, such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
• Ensure adequate staffing of school psychologists, counselors, schoolsocial workers, behavioral interventionists, mental health providers, school nurses and family engagement personnel.
• Require highly qualified teachers to have preparation in the understanding, use, and development of Social and Emotional Learning programs.
• Provide ongoing professional development and support for educators.
• Assist in the development and implementation of integrated data systems, including but not limited to data from the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, student IEPs and school discipline systems, to inform strategies, trigger supports and provide research-based interventions for students and families.
• Engage families and community partners and deploy resources to help students develop the social, emotional, and conflict resolution skills necessary to avoid and de-escalate problems.
• Provide a system-of-care approach that involves community partners to expand available services and supports for students who are dealing with trauma, substance abuse and mental health issues.

2. Amply Fund Education -McLeary decision
In the 2017-18 Legislative Biennium, the Washington State PTA shall initiate and / or support legislation / policies that fulfill the promise of amply funding basic education as defined by the legislature in HB 2261 and 2776. Issue Statement

• Legislation and policies should not divest funding for health and human services or early learning programs, nor should it simply redistribute existing education funding sources.
• After years of cuts that have diminished opportunities for kids, we need a solution that addresses Washington State's outdated and inequitable tax system. We need new revenue as part of the solution to our education funding shortfalls.
• We recommend options that:  1) Raise significant revenue for education. We need billions more in education funding and that simply can't be done with budget cuts or gimmicks and 2) Are progressive and equitable. Washington has the most regressive tax structure in the country. We need to reform our system so that everyone contributes their fair share. 

​3. Closing Opportunity Gaps
In the 2017-18 Legislative Biennium, the Washington State PTA shall support legislation that ensures that public education is available to ALL children in Washington State regardless of zip code, family status, race, and culture or income level. It is not acceptable for there to be a consistent 20-30 percentage point gap in student achievement between students of color and White and many Asian students. Issue statement

• This gap indicates that the needs of these students are not being addressed. WSPTA has supported the work of the EOGOAC since 2008. With the 2016 passage of HB 1541 Washington is positioned to implement effective solutions to close the educational opportunity gap.
• WSPTA must continue to support the key features of HB 1541 including: suspension and reengagement plans; cultural competence of educators and staff endorsement for all educators in ELL and second language acquisition; account for transitional bilingual instruction; deeper study of disaggregated data; recruitment, hiring and retention of educators of color; integrated student services and family engagement and strengthening educational pathways.
• WSPTAs focus on the development and implementation of these integrated and mutually reinforcing policies and tools will contribute to closing the educational opportunity gap.
• WSPTA is strategically poised to influence the framing and implementation of many of the key features of HB 1541, especially solutions that impact teaching, thoughtful data collection and interpretation, integrated student services and family engagement. The subsequent strengthening of educational pathways will make a difference for all students impacted by the educational opportunity gap

4. Standards for Paraeducators 
The Washington State PTA shall initiate or support legislation or policies that set statewide standards, training, and career development for para-educators, including training for teachers who have paraeducators assisting in their classrooms, and their principals. Policies shall include minimum employment standards, certification and endorsements.  ​Issue statement

​5.  Breakfast After the Bell 
In the 2017-18 Legislative Biennium, the Washington State PTA shall support legislation instituting a “Breakfast After the Bell” program in high needs schools and initiate policies at the district level that encourage early adoption of “Breakfast After the Bell” programs.