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
Washington’s state superintendent shares his coronavirus strategy
Education Dive spoke to Washington’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal to better understand how districts in affected areas are responding and what other education leaders across the country can learn from one of the first states to be impacted.
SBE Launches 2020-2021 Private School Re-Approval
The 2020-2021 Private School Application Has Launched The private school application for the 2020-2021 school year is now live! Please apply by April 1. New Private School Approval page Information about the application process can be found on the State Board of...
Economic Impact of Childcare Breakdowns on U.S. States
The results indicate there is tremendous untapped economic potential in each state if childcare challenges are solved.
An Overview of COOP Planning for Educational Institutions
COOP – Continuity of Operations Plan – is vital in order for an educational institution to continue to operate and eventually recover from a catastrophic event. Does your school emergency plan ensure that essential functions continue within 12 hours during an emergency and will be prepared to sustain itself for 30 days in the aftermath?
Early Learning Advisory Council meeting February 4, 2020
The February Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) meeting was held on Tuesday, February 4, online rather than in person. This report is compiled by WFIS' ELAC Representative for Private Schools, Chelle Downey Magee, who is also the Director of Issaquah Montessori....
The Child Care Crisis Causes Job Disruptions for More Than 2 Million Parents Each Year
By Cristina Novoa and Steven Jessen-Howard Posted on February 18, 2020 At a time when more than two-thirds of young children have all available parents in the workforce, child care is a necessity for most families across the country. Yet new data show that the...
Early Learning Advocacy Update
WFIS is a longtime member of ELAA (Early Learning Action Alliance) a broad coalition of organizations representing a diverse array of Washington nonprofits, professional associations, and businesses united by the belief that all children in Washington state deserve to...
NY State reconsidering tighter regulations for private schools
New York State is taking a step back from a controversial proposal that would give public school districts greater oversight of what private institutions teach. The state Education Department, instead, announced this week that it will reach out to independent schools...
Commerce awards $17.2 million for early learning facilities
Today DCYF announced $17.2 million in grants to 39 current and new early learning providers across the state. The grants provide financial support to allow Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy providers to plan, expand, remodel, purchase or construct early learning facilities and classrooms.
Latina preschool teachers feel the pressure of new college-degree rules, study says
Many Latina teachers have recently decided to enroll in degree programs, the report suggests. But some say they’ve opted to take a demotion and become a teacher’s assistant rather than spend time and money to pursue a degree. For many teachers, earning a degree doesn’t make financial sense; it often results in a small raise, such as $1 to $2 an hour, the report says, but can be expensive. More than 50% of the study’s participants said they have at least 10 years of classroom experience.
About our work
WFIS representatives work with State Agencies, including the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), The Department of Early Learning (DEL), The Department of Health and others to advocate for the particular needs of private schools.
WFIS representatives at OSPI, DEL and on the State Board of Education communicate regularly with WFIS to help guide and change policy to reflect private school needs.
WFIS works directly with the executive directors of the accreditation organizations in Washington to protect the integrity of accreditation and our schools. We call 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 be sure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.