The author became involved with the Washington State Association of School Psychologists' (WSASP) legislative advocacy work in 2013. At the time, WSASP was not actively engaged in legislative advocacy work, and was the smallest of many clients of a lobbyist paid to represent their interests. In that year, the Washington State Legislature proposed…

This report, prepared by the Association's staff, concerns the case of Dr. Jane Harty, a part-time faculty member with forty years of service in the Department of Music at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU). In November 2018, Dr. Harty was suspended from her teaching responsibilities for the remainder of her one-year contract and informed that she…

The federal "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA) has stimulated states to revisit school improvement. Previously, the Center analyzed ESSA and the related consolidated state plans using the lens of how the federal legislation and state plans address barriers to learning and teaching and re-engage disconnected students. Such analyses…

Every year millions of children under the age of 5 participate in federal and state early care and education programs. For fiscal years 2010 to 2015, Congress appropriated almost $48 billion to Head Start and over $31 billion to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the two largest sources of federal funding for early care and education. To…

This hearing serves as a first in a set of hearings focusing on early learning. In his opening statement, Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, strongly encouraged members of this committee on both sides of the aisle to hold roundtables and have discussions on early learning in their local…

Todd Sollar, a laid-off autoworker from Ohio who is studying for an associate degree in engineering at Sinclair Community College, in Dayton, OH, went to Capitol Hill to help educate lawmakers about the importance of including support for community colleges in the economic-stimulus bill. Mr. Sollar came to Washington with Sinclair's president, and…

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed last September 2006 to take up the issue of when a teachers' union may spend the money it collects in the form of "agency fees" from nonmembers on political causes. The justices said they would review a Washington state law that requires nonmembers to "affirmatively consent," or opt in, before a…

This article discusses the corrupt leadership of two big-city teachers' unions, the Washington Teachers Union (WTU) and its Miami cousin, United Teachers of Dade (UTD), that took both unions to the brink of despair and financial ruin. While the feds were rifling through union files to build extensive criminal investigations, congress called Sandra…

These hearings transcripts record testimony given in Vancouver, Washington, on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Ideas were solicited on ways the federal government could support local partnerships between the business and education communities. Prepared statements and transcripts of testimony are presented for the…

This lesson plan for grades 9-12 uses a videotape to examine the difference between the adult and juvenile justice systems. The lesson plan presents objectives, lists materials needed, and details classroom procedures. It also provides a handout on the differences between juveniles and adults before the law and offers information on "The Kent…

Regulations governing the implementation of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in Washington State, specifically Chapter 392-171 WAC, are printed here. The regulations cover the follow areas relating to education of handicapped students: definitions, membership and functions of the state advisory council, students' rights to special…

This hearing was convened to examine issues relating to higher education and corporate leaders, focusing on defining the roles industry and institutions of higher education will have to ensure that the United States has the skilled and diverse workforce it will need to succeed today and in the future. The Committee heard statements by: Michael B.…

This report discusses findings of a study that investigated the resolution of disputes in the field of special education. Information was collected from ten states (Alabama, California, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming) on their current dispute resolution systems and from two additional states…

In this hearing on the District of Columbia's public school system (DCPS), the Honorable Tom Davis, chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, says in his opening statement that the District's improved health cannot be sustained without a better public school system, and that the lack of performance improvement threatens future growth and…

These hearing transcripts present testimony on removing barriers that may impede the successful integration of Head Start with other programs that serve to prepare disadvantaged children for success. It begins with the prepared statements of Honorable Michael N. Castle, Chairman, Subcommittee on Education Reform, Committee on Education and the…