Legislative and Policy Advocacy
Current Issues-Legislative Session 2024
Prohibit the use of isolation and greatly restrict restraint of students in Washington state
Increased special education staffing and supports for students in school funding model
Increased special education funding cap and multiplier (AFER still supports elimination of the cap altogether)
Due process protections for parents
Amicus Briefs and Advocacy
Letter to Sen. Lisa Wellman and the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, January 15, 2024 (In support of Senate Bill 5883 shifting the burden of proof and production in due process hearings from parents to school districts)
Letter to Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos and the House Education Committee, January 10, 2024 (In support of House Bill 1914 shifting the burden of proof in due process hearings from parents to school districts)
Amicus brief of AFER in M.G. v. Yakima School District
Amicus brief of AFER in Wahkiakum School District v. State of Washington
Letter to the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, January 30, 2023, regarding state oversight of Non Public Agencies
Statement on HB 1305 and burden shifting
Letter to Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, January 18, 2022 (Re: Opposition to SB 5735 counting asynchronous time as instructional hours)
Letter to OSPI, December 4, 2020 (Re: Specific Learning Disability stakeholder input)
Letter to State Board of Education, November 3, 2020 (re: opposition to proposed second emergency rule on instructional hours, AFER joined in signing)
Letter to State Board of Education, September 10, 2020 (Re: proposal to permanently adopt the emergency rule on instructional hours, AFER joined in signing)
Letter to OSPI, August 7, 2020 (RE: special education rulemaking, AFER joined in signing)
Letter to OSPI, June 20, 2020 (Re: Reopening Washington Schools 2020: Planning Guide)
Letter to OSPI Superintendent Reykdal, May 19, 2020 (Re: request for oversight of services to students with disabilities)
Letter to Governor Inslee, May 19, 2020 (Re: Responsibility of OSPI to enforce special education laws)
Disability Rights Washington letter, May 18, 2020 (AFER joined in signing)
Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, WSR 20-03-151 (Special Education Rulemaking) (AFER joined in signing)