BSNPTA Advocacy with WSPTA and in Washington State

Below is information that we share from the WSPTA and Washington State

WSPTA Legislative Platform for 2015 and 2016 
Legislative Sessions

The last WSPTA Legislative Assembly saw several advances for Special Education / Special Needs issues on the platform.  
 Below is the complete listing of the WSPTA Legislative Platform for the 2015 and 2016 Legislative sessions.
 
WSPTA’s priorities for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions:
1.       Funding McCleary
2.       Create Positive School Climates Through Social Emotional Learning (submitted by BSNPTA Members Sarah Butcher and Jennifer Karls)
3.       Increasing Capital Funding
4.       Increased Access to Higher Education
5.       Breakfast After the Bell

Also supported (listed alphabetically):
  • Access, Equity & Opportunity for Students with Disabilities and Special Needs
  • Closing Opportunity Gaps
  • Equal Access for ELL Students
  • Family and Community Engagement
  • Inclusive Special Education
  • Increase Playground Safety
  • Investing in Teacher Professional Learning (CTWG Implementation)
  • Regulating Child Restraint and Isolation in Schools (submitted by BSNPTA Members Jennifer Karls and Sarah Butcher).

WSPTA Legislative Priorities

No Child Left Behind Legislation

Members of the BSNPTA Board of Directors have been monitoring progress and commenting on the Washington State Flexibility Waiver for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, reauthorized in 2002 as No Child Left Behind.  The focus of comments have been related specifically to special education.  On this page you will find those comments and input from the BSNPTA Board that has been shared with the Washington State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.  

Also posted on this page:
  • Additional details regarding the ESEA Flexibility Waiver
  • U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) analysis of Washington State FFY 2011 Annual Performance Report (APR) and revised State Performance Plan (SPP).  These reports are specifically pertaining to special education.

Advocacy Related Documents

The documents linked below include recent legislation affecting student achievement, the Feedback Report of the Achievement and Accountability Workgroup (AAW), WSPTA Statement to the State Board of Education and feedback provided by the BSNPTA Board regarding the achievement index and ESEA Waiver.

Legislation passed in 2013:
5329-S2.SL-1
5973-S2.SL

AAW Report:
2013.02.13 AAW Feedback Report

BSNPTA Statements:
BSNPTA Board Statement to State Board of Education on ESEA Waiver - May 2013
BSNPTA Board Statement to State Board of Education - June 2013

Letter to U.S. Dept. of Education submitted by BSNPTA Board - August 2013

Additional Details Regarding ESEA Waiver Linked Below:
Washington State ESEA Flexibility Request (wavier)
ESEA Flexibility Information
ESEA Considerations to Strengthen
Achievement & Accountability Workgroup
ESEA Waiver Quick Facts

Washington State FFY 2011 Annual Performance Report (APR) and revised State Performance Plan (SPP):
Letter from U.S. Dept. of Education to Washington State OSPI
Washington Part B FFY 2011 SPP/APR Response Table
Washington State Data for Children with Disabilities