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
WA Care & Youth Development Recovery Workgroup
WFIS attended today’s Washington Care and Youth Development Recovery Workgroup to gain a high-level overview of details to result from the Fair Start For Kids Act passage, the $391M in stabilization grants, and implementation of DCYF’s virtual licensing visits.
May 19 NEW deadline for Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)
OSPI Chief Financial Officer, T.J. Kelly, emailed all 223 schools last Friday afternoon with the extended deadline date announcement. Responses to the recorded EANS Q&A webinar and WFIS follow-up list are still be worked on by OSPI staff. Details will be posted to...
WA State COVID-19 immunity increasing, but not enough to slow transmission
Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19. Statewide case counts and hospital admissions are increasing. Case rates are increasing across all ages, except people 70 and older. Cases associated with stronger variants are increasing. Population immunity is helping control transmission, but isn’t enough to counteract risky behavior.
Private School Advisory Committee (PSAC) spring meeting
The Private School Advisory Committee (PSAC) is made up of representatives from each private school affiliate group. This committee is responsible for making comment on graduation requirements, teacher certification changes, clock hour provider changes, accreditation, and many other topics.
STEM certificate renewal requirement
Teachers with STEM-related endorsements must complete 15 clock hours or one goal from a professional growth plan (PGP) demonstrating the integration of two STEM components (science, technology, engineering, math). This policy was set by the Legislature. Whether or not...
Private School Re-Approval 2021-22
A round of applause for the 454 schools who filed their annual approval applications! If your school did not get an email response acknowledging completion of the application, please double check: log in to the State Re-Approval application here. Username: Email...
Early Learning: Success in the Legislature
The legislature passed a final operating budget with $770 million in early learning investments, which includes $400 million federal funding for childcare providers. The Fair Start for Kids Act will provide strong early learning system support for the youngest...
Gov. Inslee announces three counties to rollback to Phase 2
Governor Inslee Press Release April 12, 2021 Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the rollback of three counties not meeting the Phase 3 Healthy Washingtonmetrics for reopening activities. The three counties returning to Phase 2 are: Cowlitz County Pierce County Whitman...
Childcare crisis ripples through every part of WA State
WFIS values our collaboration with fellow members of ELAA on early learning issues. We make sure private school early learning directors are kept abreast of the complexities of policy and advocacy work during weekly meetings, and gain valuable insight from them about how proposed policy and changes will resonate in our schools.
Sweeping childcare reform moving in Legislature
Depending on where they fall in the state’s median income, families with a household income within 60% of the state median income would earn eligibility for the program, though copayments would vary. The act would also increase childcare subsidy rates, expand services to providers, reduce copays and increase eligibility for the Working Connections Child Care and Early Childhood Education and Assistance.
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 be ensure private schools are considered when law is crafted and when it is passed.