YOUTH ADVOCACY HUB
BACKGROUND:
State education funding formulas include specific allocations for funding of Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC). This area of funding is intended to account for the cost to districts of supporting the technology needs of districts, purchasing books and curriculum, supporting the maintenance of school buildings, and other aspects of making sure a school can support the needs of students that aren’t directly related to staffing costs.
In state funding formulas, each student generates a specific amount of MSOC funding to support the operation of school buildings and ensure students have access to necessary course materials.
SUMMARY:
This bills would increases the amount of funding each student generates for districts under the MSOC funding formulas.
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS BILL:
Each student will generate the same amount of MSOC funding in each district across the state regardless of other factors.
Districts spend more on MSOC related costs than they receive from the state through state MSOC funding formulas.
MSOC is for allocation purposes only, so districts are able to spend it in areas outside of the specific areas identified in the MSOC funding formulas
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Steps to Get Started
Learn where the bill is in the legislative process.
If there is an upcoming hearing, decide how you would like to get your voice heard and take action.
If there is not an upcoming hearing, or if you want to supplement your advocacy, call or write your legislators.
Spread the word and get other people on board.
Participating in a Hearing
Sign in Pro, Con, or Other
This is when individuals, advocates, and organizations make their position on a particular bill known for the record. This is particularly powerful in large numbers. Many organizations will send out Action Alerts asking people to sign in Pro or Con on a bill.
Submit Written Testimony
Submitting written testimony is a great way not only to make your position known, to legislators but also to explain why in more detail. This is a good option if you don't want to speak in front of others. People also like to offer more nuance to their position by writing.
Testify Virtually
Since COVID, many legislators are allowing remote/virtual testimony for bill hearings, as it greatly expands access to the legislative process across the state. For this, individuals usually have between 1-2 minutes to state their opinion on a bill in front of the legislative committee on Zoom.
Testify In Person
To testify on a bill in person, you must travel to Olympia and join the real-time committee hearing on the Capitol campus. You will also get between 1-2 minutes to state your opinion. This is often a powerful way to make an impression on legislators in the room.