The Advocate
The Advocate is updated in the first week of every other month September through May, containing articles relating to private school issues, representation, and local-to-national news relevant to independent schools.
WFIS Board of Directors Spring Meeting
The WFIS Board recently met via Zoom to ensure the participation of all members in light of busy spring schedules. During the meeting, the board bid a heartfelt farewell to two dedicated board members: Erin Hart, Superintendent of Three Rivers Schools in Longview, and...
2025 Legislative Update Week #11
With 31 days remaining in the legislative session, bills are now being heard in the opposite chamber. Key deadlines include the April 2 cutoff for policy bills, the April 8 fiscal cutoff, and concurrence efforts from April 17-27. The session is set to end on April 27,...
2025 Legislative Update Week #10
There is a huge debate over taxes underway in Olympia for how to balance the state budget shortfall. (Read more). And yesterday, President Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the...
2025 Legislative Update Week #9
We have passed the halfway point of the 2025 legislative session, and the house-of-origin deadline in the Legislature means bills that haven’t passed the House or the Senate are considered dead unless they are part of the budgeting process. **ACTION NEEDED FOR...
Private School ‘Intent to Participate’ in Federal Programs application now open
The application for federal programs is now open in the Education Data System. Private schools, whether they intend to participate in federal programs or not, are asked to complete the application for the 2025–26 school year. The application deadline is Tuesday, April...
Washington, D.C. Visit with State Cape Network
WFIS' Executive Director Suzie Hanson attended the State Council for American Private Education Network meeting in Washington, D.C., last week. The highlight of the visit was our regular meeting with U.S. Department of Education officials about the private school...
College in the High School expansion efforts will continue
The CiHS, bill HB1618, made notable progress this session through productive conversations with Rep. Low, the bill's sponsor, and with leadership in the education committee. However, for the bill to pass, it will need broader support. The committee, which had...
2025 Legislative Update Week #7
By the end of this week, all bills with a financial impact must be voted out of their respective fiscal committees in their House of Origin to remain viable. House bills must advance through the Finance or Appropriations Committees, while Senate bills must move out of...
2025 Legislative Update Week #6
This is day 40 of the 2025 regular session, which has 65 days left. Nearly 1,400 bills were introduced this session. The end of today is the policy committee cutoff for bills. If bills receive no committee action and are not necessary to balance the state's budget,...
School Choice Initiatives advance at Federal and State levels
As school choice gains momentum nationwide, Washington State finds itself at the crossroads of federal and state proposals that could expand educational options for families. At the federal level, the Educational Choice for Children Act has been reintroduced in...
2025 Legislative Update Weeks #3 & #4
WFIS school leaders were in Olympia last week, engaging legislators during our annual WFIS Advocacy Day on the priority needs, concerns, and bills affecting private schools during this legislative session. A summary of some the bills is provided below. HB1618 would...