Category Archives: Special Education

Special education news and updates

State Superintendent Reykdal Responds to US Health & Human Services Secretary’s Comments About People With Autism

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In a press conference yesterday, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made several dehumanizing and inaccurate remarks about individuals with autism. Below is Superintendent Reykdal’s statement, as published on the OSPI website. OLYMPIA—April 17, 2025—Secretary Kennedy’s Continue reading State Superintendent Reykdal Responds to US Health & Human Services Secretary’s Comments About People With Autism→

Budget Breakdown & Legislative Countdown — 11 Days Left in Session!

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🏛️ How Washington State Proposes to Fund the Future—And How You Can Stay Involved As the 2025–27 budget takes shape, both the Washington State House and Senate have released their proposed operating budgets—and while they share some common ground, their Continue reading Budget Breakdown & Legislative Countdown — 11 Days Left in Session!→

LWPTSA Council 2025 Staff Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to April 11

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The Lake Washington PTSA Council has extended the application deadline for its 2025 Staff Scholarship Program for LWSD certificated staff members to 11:59 pm on Friday, April 11, 2025. The student scholarship application deadline has now passed and has not Continue reading LWPTSA Council 2025 Staff Scholarship Application Deadline Extended to April 11→

Executive Order Dismantling the US Department of Education: A Severe Threat to Public School Students and Families

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National PTA’s Response ALEXANDRIA, Va., (March 20, 2025)—Today, President Donald Trump signed an executive order with the intention of dismantling the core functions of the U.S. Department of Education. National PTA President Yvonne Johnson issued the following statement on the Continue reading Executive Order Dismantling the US Department of Education: A Severe Threat to Public School Students and Families→

LWPTSA Legislative Update: Advocating for Fully Funded Education

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Why and How Do We Advocate?

Ongoing Town Halls With Senators and Representatives This past Saturday, March 15, 2025, LWPTSA advocates attended the 45th Legislative District town hall, where Senator Manka Dhingra, Representative Larry Springer and Representative Roger Goodman shared crucial updates on education funding. The Continue reading LWPTSA Legislative Update: Advocating for Fully Funded Education→

LWPTSA Council DEI Update: Understanding the Latest Federal Guidance

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Wondering what the recent federal directive on DEI means for our PTAs? We have FACTS to provide clarity for our community.

At LWPTSA Council, we remain committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive and equitable education system for all students. Recent discussions have raised concerns about how recent federal guidance may impact diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts in public schools and in our PTAs. We want to ensure that our community has clarity on what this means for our PTAs, the Lake Washington School District and Washington state. Continue reading LWPTSA Council DEI Update: Understanding the Latest Federal Guidance→

Weekly Legislative Priorities Spotlight: Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education

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Your Voice Matters! Legislative Priorities Spotlights — A Weekly Dive Into the "Top 5"

This week, we’re highlighting another of the Washington State PTA’s “Top Five Priorities” — Addressing funding, inclusion and supports in special education. [See all “Spotlight” articles] Special education funding and resources are essential for ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, Continue reading Weekly Legislative Priorities Spotlight: Addressing Funding, Inclusion and Supports in Special Education→