We envision an education system where every student thrives in a learning-friendly environment where they feel safe, supported, and challenged. The following legislative priorities will help to ensure access and equity:
Safe from Harm and Hate
Schools must ensure students with disabilities are safe from physical and emotional harm while at school.
Some ways to do this include:
- Ending the practices of isolation and restraint in Washington, which disproportionately causes trauma to students with disabilities and students of color.
- Building capacity in schools to end harmful practices and educating staff about ableism, racism, and how to create positive, inclusive school cultures.
Included in Classrooms and Communities
We must ensure all students have equitable access to their learning and feel included, welcomed, and like they belong at school.
Some ways to do this include:
- Providing widespread professional development and training around inclusionary practices in every classroom, particularly around ample access to general education settings, early intervention for special education services, and equitable transportation services.
- Embedding more social-emotional learning opportunities throughout school and a wider array of enrichment and elective opportunities for students with disabilities, such as language programs and life skills classes.
- Providing ample mental health support so that young people are supported, cared for, and set up well for life after school.
Equitably Resourced and Funded
We cannot let special education in Washington remain deeply underfunded and inequitable across the state.
Some ways to do this include:
- Increasing the number of teachers across the state, particularly special education teachers, so that all students have opportunities to build trusting relationships and get the type of learning and instruction they need.
- Eliminating the funded enrollment cap for special education to better enable districts to directly provide the supports and services young people need.
Valued, Respected, and Listened To
Schools must be held accountable to students and their families as they advocate for themselves, their needs, and for the special education system more broadly.
Some ways to do this include:
- Increasing opportunities for student engagement and creating safe spaces for students to advocate for themselves without being alienated by school staff and students.
- Making sure schools are accountable to and shoulder the burden of ensuring the quality of accommodations and services stated in Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, which are pillars of access and inclusion for students with disabilities.
2024 Legislative Platform (PDF)
2024 Supplemental Budget Special Education Highlights (PDF)
2023-2025 Operating Budget Special Education Highlights (PDF)
Issue Brief – What is the Special Education Funding Cap? (PDF)
Read our Report Back to Community: Progress Highlights from the 2022 Legislative Session
Read our 2022 Supplemental Budget Special Education Highlights
Read our 2021-2023 Operating Budget Special Education Highlights
Lea nuestro Presupuesto operativo 2021-2023 Aspectos destacados de educación especial
2023 Legislative Platform (PDF)