Blog
Removal of the Special Education Funding Cap
by Jana Parker Better Access to Services and a Step Toward Equity Eliminating the cap on special education funding is a necessary step toward more equitable access to services across Washington State. But increased funding alone won’t solve everything—districts also...
In the News: Special Education Funding in Washington State
Jana Parker, president of the Seattle Special Education PTSA, is quoted in this article, which explores the possibility that Washington will life its 16% funding cap on Special Education. Read more
Top 5 Reasons to Join a Special Education PTA
Specialized Parent Teacher Student Associations (PTAs or PTSAs) are groups that are designed to address the specific needs of particular student communities. If you have a child with disabilities, joining a PTA focused on special education might just be the perfect...
Open Letter: Shooting at BRIDGES Secondary Transition Program in Seattle
Dear Superintendent Jones, We are deeply hurt by the district's failure to prioritize the safety and well-being of disabled students. On Monday, February 10, 2025, a car with an unidentified shooter fired over 40 bullets at and into the building housing the BRIDGES...
Call to Action: HB 1051 Permitting the recording of IEP team meetings
Summary HB 1051 permits parents and guardians to record meetings related to their child’s individualized education program (IEP) team meetings. Our position: PRO Sponsors: Representatives Walsh, Penner, Jacobsen, Couture We need your advocacy for this bill. Keep...
HB 1051: The Right to Record IEP Meetings
Did you know that millions of families across the US have the right to record their IEP meetings? Not so in Washington, where the all-party consent-to-record requirement has kept recording IEP (individualized education plan) meetings from becoming common practice....
Urgent Action Alert – Please send a quick letter NOW!!
Dear Advocates, Please write your Representatives immediately to ask them to co-sponsor Rep Pollet and Rep Couture's bill HB 1310 before 2PM TODAY. Those of you in the 46th LD, as Representative Pollet is one of your...
Testimony at the Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting (10/22/24)
Hello, For the record, my name is Jana Parker. I am a parent of students with disabilities, an immigrant, a person with disabilities, and president of Seattle Special Education PTSA. I work directly with families as an advocate. I want to briefly express concern that...
Open Letter: Transparent and student-centered budget deficit solutions
Dear Superintendent Jones and School Board, We have given the district ample time to develop and share strategies for resolving some of the nearly $100,000,000 budget gap. Even by the district’s estimates, school closures alone will not close the budget gap. So far,...
Open Letter: Why We’re Boycotting the 2024 WSPTA Legislative Assembly
October 7, 2024 Dear Washington State PTA Leadership, We, the Board of Directors of Seattle Special Education PTSA (SSEPTSA), want to acknowledge the concerns raised about the upcoming Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Legislative Assembly and to explain our...
