Advocacy is the heart of PTA
Since it began in 1897, National PTA has been a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Washington State PTA (WSPTA) began in 1905 and was instrumental in many issues, from creating preschool to promoting seat belts.
For more information about our PTA history and founders: History - WSPTA (wastatepta.org)
PTA Vision and Mission
Our vision is that every child’s potential becomes a reality.
Our mission is for PTA to be:
- A powerful voice for children,
- A relevant resource for families, schools, and communities, and
- A strong advocate for the well-being and education of all children
WSPTA Legislative Platform
The WSPTA legislative platform consists of:
Legislative Principles: broad conceptual policy objectives that align with our mission and are the foundational basis for our overall platform (long-term). Legislative Principles (wastatepta.org)
Resolutions: positions that guide our work from the local to the state level, are usually broader in scope than legislative issues, and generally have a call for action (long-term). Resolutions (wastatepta.org)
Legislative Issues: statewide positions that will receive the focus of our advocacy efforts in Olympia (short-term). Advocacy (wastatepta.org)
The 2023-2024 Top 5 legislative priorities are as follows:
- Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
- Addressing Critical Gaps in Education Funding
- Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
- Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
- Building and Maintaining Safer School Facilities
Also Supported Issues:
- Creating a Diverse and Effective Educator Workforce
- Expending School Construction Funding Options
- Harnessing the Benefits of Master-based Learning
- Improving Equitable Identification and Access for Highly Capable Students
- Increasing Education Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
- Increasing Support for Equitable Family Engagement
- Mitigating Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
- Supporting a Meaningful High School Diploma
Advocacy Contact Information
Everett PTSA Council Advisory Chair, Dolly Ubriani advocacy@everettptsacouncil.
Heatherwood Advocacy Chair, Dolly Ubriani advocacy@heatherwoodpta.org
WSPTA Advocacy Director: ptaadvocacydir@wastatepta.org
Important Advocacy Links
Your Voice
Register to Vote/Check Your Registration: https://voter.votewa.gov/
Find Your Legislators: https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/
Everett Public Schools
Website: Everett Public Schools / Homepage (everettsd.org)
School Board: School Board / Overview (everettsd.org)
Free and Reduced Meal Application: Menus / Menus (everettsd.org)
Policies and Procedures: District Policies and Procedures (everett.k12.wa.us)
Washington State PTA
Advocacy Webpage: Advocacy (wastatepta.org)
Sign up for Action Alerts: Subscribe to WSPTA's Action Network Group - Action Network
Advocacy and Legislative Resources: Advocacy & Legislative Resources (wastatepta.org)
WSPTA Blog: WSPTA Blog (wastatepta.org)
Legislative/Advocacy News: Advocacy Archives - WSPTA (wastatepta.org)
Focus on Advocacy Webpage: Focus on Advocacy (wastatepta.org)
Everett PTSA Council (serving all Everett local PTAs): Everett PTSA Council 7.3 - Proudly serving the schools of the Everett School District - Home
WSPTA Region 7 Facebook: (1) Washington State PTA - Region 7 | Facebook
National PTA
Advocacy Webpage: Advocacy | National PTA
Advocacy Toolkit: Toolkit - Resources - Advocacy | National PTA
Other
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): OSPI (www.k12.wa.us)
Education Ombuds: Home | Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds
Citizen’s Guide to Effective Legislative Participation: Washington State Legislature Guide to Effective Participation