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 uphold the civil rights of students with disabilities under state and federal law and ensure they are safe from physical and emotional harm while at school (See: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title II).
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, focusing particularly on general education access, early supports, and equitable services.
- Ensuring all classes required for graduation are accessible to all students.
- Ensuring access and inclusion to diverse learning and enrichment opportunities at school, especially those that foster meaningful social-emotional learning, independence, and relationship-building.
- 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:
- Increase investments in special education, including increasing the number of 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:
- Providing high-quality training and professional development that enables all students, particularly those in self-contained classrooms, to take ownership of their learning and develop greater autonomy at school.
- Holding schools accountable to students and families by 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.
2025 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
2024 Legislative Platform (PDF)
2023 Legislative Platform (PDF)