Ensuring Social Justice
Education

Ensure the state fully funds education, including support services.

Issue Team Chair: Catherine Ahl, cahl@lwvwa.org, (360) 697-7924
DOWNLOAD the Education Issue Paper
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2020 Legislative Session Expectations

(Interested in the 2019 Session Recap? Click Here)

We will be advocating for full funding for Special Education, increased funding for support staff (nurses, counselors, social workers, etc.), and comprehensive sexual health education.  We will also be watching for bills tied to the State Charter School Commission's Legislative agenda of access to state level levy equalization funding (the current law doesn't allow them to run levies or access levy dollars from school districts and state level facilities support (the Superior Court and Supreme Court ruled that Charter School access to the School Construction Fund unconstitutional).

Click on Bill # for detailed information.  See UPDATES below.

      Bills the League Supports

      • SB 5315 Would increase the number of nurses, social workers, psychologists, counselors and other student support staff who support the mental, behavioral and physical health and safety of students. 
      • HB 2184  /SB 6175 would require comprehensive sexual health education with an affirmative consent curriculum in all schools beginning in the 2021/22 school year. This would require a curriculum that is evidence-informed, inclusive for all students, age appropriate, and is consistent with the state health and physical education learning standards. School districts must grant a parent’s request to have their child excused from this class.
      • SB 5834 /HB 1779 Would protect our immigrant students consistently across the state with a policy developed by OSPI (Superintendent of Public Instruction) and WSSDA (WA State School Directors Association).
      • SB 5532 Requires that special-education advisory committees be created in each school district, access to advocates to help families navigate the special-education system, and professional development for all teachers. 
      Bills the League is Watching

      • SB 6073 

        would require public schools to supply menstrual products for free in bathrooms. Schools must comply by the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, and public schools, not the state, must pay for the products. Although a great idea, we have concerns that this is another unfunded mandate. 
      •  SB 6117 / HB 2258 would increase the allocation from 1.0075 to 1.025 for students eligible for and receiving special education and reported to be in the general education setting for eighty percent or more of the school day.  UPDATE: SB 6117 will be heard by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on Jan. 22 at 1:30 pm.
      •  SB 6132 allows the learning assistance program to support school-wide behavioral health system of supports and interventions, including social workers, counselors, instructional aides, and other school-based health professionals. UPDATE: This bill will be heard by the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee on Jan. 20 at 1:30 pm. 



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