Early Learning & K-12 Education : Inclusion Matters! Legislative Guide : Advocacy : The Arc of King County

Inclusive Early Learning and K-12 Education

Early learning can include:

Early support for infant and toddlers (ESIT), also referred to as Birth to 3 services.
Child care
Preschool

Both the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) have a role in early learning.

DCYF:

Administers ESIT/Birth to 3 services
Licenses child care sites and promotes quality care
Oversees Head Start preschools and the state's Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
The governor appoints the secretary of DCFY and oversees the agency

OSPI:

Oversees early learning programs run by local school districts. These include:

Early learning special education services
Transitional kindergarten
The state's Superintendent of Public Instruction is independently elected, per the state constitution

Most legislation on early learning will direct one or both of these agencies to do certain things, or will allocate funds so they can do more.

Early learning legislative committees

House

House Children, Youth & Families Committee - Considers issues about early learning; childcare; child and youth development; child welfare services; children’s mental health; at-risk and homeless youth; and juvenile justice.

Members & staff

King County members include:

Rep. Senn - Chair; 5th LD (E King County)
Rep. Harris-Talley - Vice chair; 37th LD (Seattle and S King County)
Rep. Callan - 5th LD (E King County)
Rep. Eslick - 39th LD (NE King County)
Roger Goodman - 45th LD (E King County)

Senate

Senate Early Learning and K-12 Committee - Considers issues about early learning programs, including Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Working Connections Child Care Program. It also considers bills about K-12 education.

Members & Staff

King County members include:

Senator Wellman - Chair; 41st LD (E King County)
Senator C. Wilson - Vice chair/early learning; 30th LD (S King County)
Senator Mullet - 5th LD (E King County)
Senator Pedersen - 43rd LD (Seattle)

You can find a roster of House and Senate members here, with contact information.

K-12 education

School boards are responsible for governance of their schools and ensuring all state and federal laws are followed. School districts must have publicly elected school boards; charter schools may have appointed boards. School boards hire superintendents to oversee staff and implement programs.

School director responsibilities

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) works with public school districts, state-tribal education compact schools, and charter schools. OSPI allocates state funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance. OSPI monitors schools to ensure students with disabilities get a free and appropriate public education. In some cases, OSPI can require training or withhold funds if schools are not in compliance with state or federal law. The state's Superintendent of Public Instruction is an elected position.

State Board of Education establishes high school graduation requirements; oversees basic education compliance; and along with OSPI develops and maintains the state's school accountability and improvement system. Membership is mixed, with some members elected by local school board directors and others appointed by the governor.

Most K-12 legislation education will direct OSPI or the State Board of Education to do certain things, or will allocate funds so they can do more. Some legislation will also direct other entities, such as require the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) to create draft policy for local school boards to consider, or require the Professional Educators Standard Board to create new certification requirements for school staff.