Legislative and Policy Advocacy

We work with legislators and policy makers to ensure that legislation in Olympia affecting schools and education is crafted with the particular needs of private and independent schools in mind.

WFIS Legislative and Policy Updates


 

Clean Buildings Tier 2 Guidance Document

In October, the Department of Commerce released a new document to assist building owners in fulfilling the Clean Buildings Tier 2 compliance requirements.  See CBPS 030 – Tier 2 Compliance Requirements (PDF).  This document aims to: help buildings owners gain an...

Clean Buildings environmental requirements vs. safe school spaces

The Washington Clean Buildings Act introduced Clean Buildings Performance Standards, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in buildings, including schools. While resources and support are available to help building owners meet...

Facility parity for Pre-K: public and private schools

Public schools offer early learning programs without being subject to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) licensing requirements. This exempts them from DCYF’s costly, labor-intensive licensing processes and facility mandates, creating a significant...

Free dual credit access for all Washington students

In Washington, dual credit programs allow high school students to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing a head start on college education and potentially reducing the time and cost of a college degree. While public school students have...

For schools that lease their buildings

This article provides useful guidance when reviewing the terms of your lease or negotiating a new lease agreement as related to the new Clean Buildings laws. Building owners may be able to push many responsibilities onto their tenants, depending on how the lease terms...

PSESD/DOH School Env. Health & Safety Autumn Workshop

Last week, WFIS visited Puget Sound ESD for the west side of the state's School & Environmental Health & Safety workshop. Morning sessions included a presentation from the DOH's Ali Boris. She's taken the lead on indoor air quality (IAQ) and both the K12...

State Board of Education’s legislative requests

Along with the State Board of Education's (SBE) work on mastery-based learning for public schools, the SBE will also ask the Legislature for funding to support FutureReady, its strategic plan to update high school graduation requirements. The SBE wants to "develop...

Washington State Legislative Session dates

The 2025 Legislative Session is the first year of the 69th Biennial Session. It is a “Long” session of 105 days that convenes on January 13 and ends on April 27. During this extended session, the Legislature will adopt the 2025-27 Operating, Capital,...

EpiPens4Schools program change

For schools stocking epinephrine EpiPens4Schools has adjusted its system to allow Washington schools to receive autoinjectors directly when placing orders. The Epinephrine Standing Order FAQs have been updated with this information: All epinephrine should be picked up...

WFIS strengthens relationships with Spokane Education Leaders

This week, WFIS visited Spokane to attend the Association of Washington Business Legislator's reception, connect with early learning and K12 advocates, and watch the OSPI and Gubernatorial debates live. We also prioritized connecting with local private schools and...

About Our Work


 

WFIS is the only statewide forum for Washington’s nonpublic school community. We participate in all levels of collective educational dialogs to ensure our schools’ input and perspective are utilized in educational policy agenda while advocating for private school student access to all programs that enhance our state’s education quality.  In addition, we seek resolution in cases where local policy application may result in double standards or inequities.

 

FEDERAL
WFIS will work to seamlessly apply the new ESSA policies and programs, including strengthened provisions for private school student inclusion in all districts within the state. Our organization also supports legislative efforts nationwide to provide school choice to all children.
 
 
 
STATE     
WFIS ensures that private schools are included in state educational programs that benefit students while guarding against the infringement of government-mandated policy.
 
 
 
LOCAL
WFIS hosts and participates in events and community engagement opportunities at the local level, fostering collaboration amongst schools, students, and the greater community.