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)(opens in new tab)

"Voting in WA and why your signature is important"(opens in new tab) video (audio and ASL)

Join the WSPTA Advocacy Slack to connect with your fellow PTA member advocates, share resources, and ask questions about the issues and resolutions under consideration at Legislative Assembly, the event itself, ballot measure opposition, or other advocacy related concerns.

(opens in new tab)Get timely advocacy action alerts delivered straight to your inbox by joining WSPTA’s Action Network. https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-wsptas-action-network-group(opens in new tab)

JHS PTSA Delegates attended 2026 WSPTA Legislative Assembly.

JHS voting delegates were Jonelle Radford, Laura Peterson, Chella Kumar, and student representative, Ashlene Sharma (who also gave the land acknowledgment). Several other JHS PTSA members were voting on behalf of other PTAs-Craig Willis, Alisha Crawley-Davis, and Valerie Cunningham. Delegates considered eight legislative issues and two resolutions with lots of debate and discussion. We also listened to a variety of advocacy speakers and student speakers. Voting was done via Whoa App survey. Full background on each is in the 2026 Legislative Assembly Voters’ Guide(opens in new tab). The top 5 are listed below.

All Legislative issues that were discussed

Empower Communities to Build Schools Where Students Thrive
Strategic Investments to Improve Student Outcomes
Fund Climate-Ready Schools: Clean Air, Heat-Safe
Ensuring Literacy & Math Proficiency for All Students
Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Support in Special Education
Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
Keep Students Safer from Gun Violence
Restoring Focus with Personal Electronic Devices Off and Away for the Day

Resolutions-all were approved

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Developmental Coordination Disorder
Safe Siting for Battery Energy Storage Systems

What is WSPTA Legislative Assembly? Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, thrive, and reach their full potential. That’s why Legislative Assembly brings together members to help shape policies that help every kid grow. Whether you’re new to advocacy or an experienced leader, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to effectively engage with local, state, and federal decision makers on behalf of children and families.

The event features expert panel discussions, issues and resolutions breakout sessions, roundtable trainings and opportunities to build confidence in speaking up for the issues that matter most to Washington’s students. Together, we’ll cultivate stronger advocates who can make a lasting impact in their communities and during the upcoming legislative session.

Legislative Assembly is also where delegates from local PTAs across Washington come together to discuss, debate, and vote on the organization’s public policy positions. This year’s business meeting will include consideration of our Top 5 legislative issues and resolutions that will guide Washington State PTA’s advocacy efforts. The Top 5. After the issues are adopted, delegates rank them based on what matters most to the communities they represent. The five highest-ranked become WSPTA’s Top 5 — the priorities that guide our advocacy in Olympia over the two-year legislative cycle.

Every voice helps shape the future. Join us as we work together to “Grow Your Voice.”

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2025 WSPTA Advocacy Overview click here(opens in new tab)

2026 WSPTA Focus Day & Advocacy Week

Focus on Advocacy Week is scheduled for January 26-30, 2026. During this week, members can participate in daily email calls to actions. Subscribe to WSPTA Action Alerts(opens in new tab)

Focus Day will be Monday, January 19, 2026 in Olympia and members are encouraged to meet with their legislators about our 2025-2026 WSPTA Legislative Priorities(opens in new tab).

Video Series

This series is about what to expect including the players, the challenges and what you can do to advocate for your PTA and your students.

WSPTA Module 1: What to Expect in the 2026 Legislative Session: Coming January 8, 2026 Register here.(opens in new tab)
WSPTA Module 2: 2026 Legislator Panel: Recorded Video(opens in new tab) Presentation Slides(opens in new tab) (updated December, 2025)
WSPTA Module 3: Advocacy Tips and Tools
WSPTA Module 4: Bill Elements and Analysis
WSPTA Module 5: 2026 Legislative Session Recap: Coming March 25, 2026 Register Here.(opens in new tab)

2025 WSPTA Legislative Assembly

October 18-19, 2025 JHS delegates' 2025 WSPTA Legislative Assembly notes

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)(opens in new tab)

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)(opens in new tab)

Legislative Issues: statewide positions that will receive the focus of our advocacy efforts in Olympia (short-term). Advocacy (wastatepta.org)(opens in new tab)

The 2025-26 Top 5 legislative priorities are:

Closing the Funding Gaps
Addressing Student Mental Health Crisis
Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
Expanding School Construction Funding Options

Also Supported issues (listed alphabetically):

Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change

From National PTA-Federal Shutdown: What it Means for Education and How You Can Help

Lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement to fund government programs and operations for the next fiscal year, which led to a shutdown of the federal government.

The federal government funds essential programs that support all students, but several programs are at risk of being underfunded or eliminated by Congress, including programs that support children with disabilities and low-income or underserved school populations.

At a time when our education system and families are strained, it is the time to increase, not decrease federal investments in programs like IDEA and Title I that uplift our nation’s families and schools.

TAKE ACTION TODAY and send a message urging Congress(opens in new tab) to reach an agreement that prioritizes our nation's children, families and schools!

Updated National PTA Position Statements

National PTA’s Board of Directors recently voted to approve updated versions of two of our association’s position statements. National PTA position statements(opens in new tab) outline the opinion, will or intent of National PTA to address national problems, situations or concerns that affect children and youth.

Originally adopted in 1990, National PTA’s Position Statement on the Health of Children & Youth and Family Access to Care provides guidance around ensuring that all children and families have access to quality healthcare, nutrition and wellness support. The updated position(opens in new tab) explores topics like insurance coverage, Medicaid/CHIP, pediatric dental care, SNAP/WIC, childhood vaccinations, youth mental health and more.
Originally adopted in 1996, National PTA’s Position Statement on the Education of Students with Disabilities provides guidance around ensuring that every child, regardless of disability, has the support needed to thrive, including access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. The updated position(opens in new tab) emphasizes the importance of access and inclusion, family engagement, funding, accountability, transition planning, positive school discipline and more.