Action 1: Help achieve equity for highly capable students
The Equity in Education Coalition strongly supports Senate Bill 5072 which acts as a crucial step towards achieving equity in programs for highly capable students. This bill requires Washington state school districts to screen all students for Highly Capable services and prioritize the equitable identification of low-income students to ensure that every student has fair access to highly capable services. By creating a more universal screening process, SB 5072 will help ensure that Washington’s highly capable students are receiving the education they are entitled to, regardless of race or income.
There is no scheduled committee hearing in the House for SB 5072, so instead we’re asking you to contact your Representatives to ask them to pass SB 5072.
1. Go to the bill comment page here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/5072
2. Verify your legislative district and enter your contact information.
3. Mark your position as “Support”.
4. Include a comment.
Sample script:
Hi, I’m a constituent in {ZIP CODE}. I’m asking you to support the passage of SB 5072. This bill requires Washington state school districts to screen all students for Highly Capable services and prioritize the equitable identification of low-income students to ensure that every student has fair access to highly capable services. By creating a more universal screening process, SB 5072 will help ensure that Washington’s highly capable students are receiving the education they are entitled to, regardless of race or income.
Action 2: Support digital equity in Washington!
Join The Equity in Education Coalition (EEC) in supporting House Bill 1793. House Bill 1793 creates a technology access and literacy fund that will provide grants for community-based organizations that are helping close the digital divide in Washington. The grants will be funded entirely through a new flat $2 excise tax on each retail sale of a smart wireless device with a selling price of more than $250.
By collecting funds for a dedicated learning device and technology account, HB 1793 will support community-based organizations, like EEC, that are working in communities throughout Washington State. Since the start of the pandemic, these organizations have been working tirelessly to help our fellow Washingtonians who are furthest from digital justice access to digital support such as COVID-19 resources, online education, and telehealth.
It is past time to ensure that every Washingtonian has access to the digital resources they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Tell the House Finance Committee to pass HB 1793.
1. Go to the bill comment page here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/pbc/bill/1793
2. Verify your legislative district and enter your contact information.
3. Mark your position as “Support”.
4. Include a comment.
Sample script:
Hi, I’m a constituent in {ZIP CODE}. I’m asking you to help support the passage of HB 1793. This bill creates a technology access and literacy fund that will provide grants for community-based organizations that are helping close the digital divide in Washington. It is past time to ensure that every Washingtonian has access to the digital resources they need to thrive in the 21st century.
