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 Advocacy
The Washington State Legislative Session starts on January 8, 2024. It is a short or supplemental budget session that lasts 60 days instead of 105 and ends on March 7. The prefile date for bills is December 1. WFIS is working on changing Senate Bill 5048, which passed...
Election for SBE board positions
The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) has taken over from OSPI the election process for the State Board of Education positions. This year, the election will be via email rather than a mailed paper ballot. Three open positions are to be filled - 1...
EANS I reimbursements due by June 30
Schools that received EANS I funding allocations need to spend the funding now. If not, the private schools will lose about $5m on June 30. EANS I is the Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools federal relief program approved by the Department of Education in...
WFIS Advocate Spring 2023
Dear Friends of Private Schools, Private schools sustained the trust built with parents, students, and staff in recent years by overcoming challenges with students' academic loss and missed opportunities for social connection. The teacher shortage continues to...
Summer Running Start now available
The proposed WAC rule changes to expand access to the summer quarter Running Start permanently begins this summer. Students currently in 11th grade should complete a summer Running Start Enrollment Verification Form (RSEVF). Additional info is available from OSPI...
On the horizon: Stronger Connections Grant
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act allows school districts to apply for the Stronger Connections Grant Program. The Stronger Connections Grant will only be available to private schools in Districts with a 40%+ poverty level IF the District applies for the grant....
Clean Buildings Standards next webinar
The team at the Department of Commerce will be hosting their next Clean Buildings Expansion webinar on May 18 Workshop (10 am-Noon) to focus on customer outreach, technical support, and energy benchmarking for Tier 2 (20,000+ sq ft building spaces). Facilities...
Certificate Renewal Requirements beginning July 1
All Teacher and Administrator Certificates will have new renewal requirements beginning July 1, 2023, as a result of HB 1426 and WAC 181-79A-244expected implementation of CCDEI/Equity-Based School Practices. All teachers must earn at least 15 continuing education...
2023 Private School Summer Conference
Unite the Neuroscience of Learning with the Art of Teaching The field of Educational Neuroscience is exploding, and K-12 educators can leverage new discoveries in neuroscience, growing their pedagogical practices and increasing student engagement and achievement. This...
SBE Private School Approval information & timelines
Each week schools can find an updated list with the status of approval applications posted on the Private School Approval | SBE (wa.gov) website. The list will convey whether your application is: Complete or Partial, Reviewed or pending review, and Fully Approved or...
Annual Private School Approval has begun
The State Board of Education is accepting renewals and new applications for 2023-2024 Private School Approval this March 1 - April 28, 2023. The SBE Private School Approval Renewal application portal is open. Login requires the Head of School email address as...