Agencies and Committees
WFIS represents the interests of private schools on agency boards and working groups and serves as the official liaison organization for independent schools with OSPI and the Department of Early Learning.WFIS Agency and Committee News
COVID test supplies, Labor Support Fund, general info
Schools can continue to order free COVID tests on DOH's Shipping Information Form by using the School Test Request Smartsheet. Shipments will arrive by Delivery Express beginning Oct 1, 2022 and moving forward. All schools should order a 30-day supply of tests and...
EANS Disposition Guidance – good news!
Private schools had a big win this week at the US Department of Education. While attending the 2022 ONPE Private Schools Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, WFIS received the new EANS Disposition Guidance (see below) that will help schools in the future....
DOH announces update to At-home Testing Guidance
Individuals are now asked to report all positive and negative at-home test results through the Say Yes! COVID Test Digital Assistant, even if testing kits were obtained through other sources. This shift supports our outcry to have the burden taken off of schools!...
Early Learning and K12 immunization requirements NEW this year
Students in preschool or kindergarten who are four years old or older by September 1 need to have a booster dose of DTaP, polio, MMR, and varicella vaccines. Four-year-olds now need the booster dose that was initially required for kindergarten entry. Schools are not...
OSPI extends deadline for Weapons Data Collection
If your school could not complete the 2021-2022 weapons data collection already, please use the EDS application by September 30 to input your data. Go to the EDS Log-in to complete the report OR check to see if you already did. If you have trouble logging in,...
Get ready! Annual Enrollment Report in October
The State Board of Education enrollment report portal opens on October 4. Private Schools must submit October 1 enrollment data, by grade and demographic, to the State Board of Education each year. Please get ready! This task requires preparation and a chunk of time...
4 Loan Forgiveness Programs for Teachers
Federal Student Aid - an office of the U.S. Department of Education has a webpage that outlines the loan forgiveness programs for teachers to help them best evaluate their options.1) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program Unlike other programs, PSLF does not...
Hands-on CPR training again required by DCYF
DCYF paused the in-person/hands-on component required for CPR training during 2021. This is no longer applicable. The in-person/hands-on component required for CPR training must be completed to meet the CPR requirements. Anyone hired after April 2022 must complete...
New tax credit for Washington workers
At the request of Governor Inslee's office, WFIS is asking schools to share the following opportunity with your families. Low and moderate income individuals and families may receive up to $1,200 back if they meet specific eligibility requirements for the Working...
WFIS recap of the State-CAPE’s Summer Institute
The State CAPE networks' annual Summer Institute took place in Colorado Springs this year. The presenters included Robert Enlow from EdChoice; Andy Lynch from North Star Marketing; Michael Bindis from Institute for Justice, and Andrew Neumann from Open Sky Education....
About our work
WFIS representatives work with State Agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The Department of Children Youth & Families (DCYF), The Department of Health (DOH) and others to advocate for the particular needs of private schools.
WFIS representatives communicate regularly with WFIS leadership and member schools so that dialogue includes the needs of private schools.
WFIS works directly with the executive directors of the accreditation organizations in Washington to protect the integrity of accreditation and our schools. We refer to these leaders “Constituency Leaders” and rely on their in-depth understanding of their schools to guide WFIS’ policy decisions.
WFIS is in Olympia during the legislative session, building relationships with Legislators and their staff, collaborating with lobbying organizations with similar goals, as well as reading and contributing to legislation to ensure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.