Arlington SEPTA Advocacy
With the National PTA motto “every child, one voice,” advocacy on behalf of students with disabilities has long been an important part of SEPTA’s mission. In the Summer of 2020, Arlington SEPTA formed an Advocacy Committee to bring more structure and organization to our advocacy as an organization. The committee is intended to further SEPTA’s efforts to address issues and support the educational experience of students with disabilities in Arlington Public Schools.
SEPTA’s Advocacy Committee raises awareness of the collective needs of students with disabilities in APS and advocates for improvement where needed. We also join with other PTAs to work on programs and policies at the local and state level. The committee focuses on the collective needs of students with disabilities in APS and advocates for systemic change that will broadly benefit students with disabilities. At the same time, we distribute information and resources to enable parents to be more effective advocates for their own children’s individual needs.
Parents who have concerns about their individual child may reach out to their child’s school team, then they may elevate the matter if needed following this recommended pathway. Parents may also contact the APS Parent Resource Center for support and resources. Parents or others with concerns about special education in APS may also contact the Virginia Department of Education Parent Ombudsman for Special Education or the Virginia Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center.
If you would like more information or are interested in being part of SEPTA’s Advocacy Committee, please contact the SEPTA Advocacy Chair at advocacy@arlingtonsepta.org.
Current Projects or Concerns
Threats to the Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) – More information can be found here
Changes to Virginia SOL “cut scores” – More information can be found here
New 2025 Virginia Legislation – More information can be found here
SEPTA Anti-Bullying – more information can be found here
- APS 2/5/2026 DEI & Student Support Offices Update to School Board on Bullying & Harassment Progress
KEY TAKEAWAYS- APS is “approaching expectations” to the strategic plan goal of all students feeling safe at school (88% elementary-85% secondary vs 90% target)
- Students who are experiencing higher rates of B&H include MIDDLE school students and LGBTQ students
- The # of B&H reports are on track with 2024-25 data for elementary and high school. This year APS is trending toward FEWER B&H reports at the middle school level.
- There are fewer SUSPENSIONS in 2025-26 than previous years as a result of B&H. This is in part due to APS applying alternative disciplinary measures like restorative behavior practices instead of suspension.
- APS Changes and Progress
- Additional way to report B&H – New 24 hour confidential phone number
- New electronic B&H reporting tracking system PILOTED to replace paper process (unclear on which schools); APS is targeting to have all administrators trained in the electronic system by start of 2026-27 school year.
- New bullying prevention lessons rolled out to all grades this school year, starting in October. Adapted bullying prevention lessons created for self-contained programs (FLS and MIPA)
- DEI office continues to offer school and staff based trainings – it appears most are “by request”
- Planned Next Steps
- Roll out electronic B&H online reporting tracking system to ALL schools.
- Measure effectiveness of bullying prevention lessons (using pre/post training surveys)
- Continue training for staff and parent groups (unclear if this is “by request”)
- SEPTA Meeting 12/11/2025 B&H Update from Dr. Julie Crawford, APS DEI & Student Support
- SEPTA 4/23/2025 Anti-Bullying Progress Update from Dr. Sampson, APS Student Support office
- SEPTA’s Anti-Bullying Workshop Summary to APS Leadership 2/19/2025
- SEPTA 2/19/25 Anti-Bullying Workshop Presentation (pdf) (includes APS Bullying data)
APS’s New Personal Electronic Device Policy
- Letter to Arlington Delegates re SB 738 and HB 1961 01.27.2025
- Public Comment to Arlington School Board 10.17.24
- SEPTA’s Personal Device Survey Results 09.30.2024
- FAQ for New Personal Electronic Device Policy and Students with Disabilities 08.20.2024
- SEPTA Letter Regarding APS Personal Device Policy 07.18.2024
- The OSE Guidance v2.0 09.2025
What YOU Can Do Today
Submit a Community Feedback Form Anytime
We don’t know what to advocate for if we don’t hear from the community. Let us know what is on your mind.
You can express your opposition to cuts to Medicaid.
Background: Congress is considering a budget package with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid. The federal government currently provides billions of dollars in Medicaid funds to schools annually for physical, mental, and behavioral health services for eligible students. These funds pay for services to students with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
You can express your opposition to dismantling the US Department of Education.
Background: The Administration and some Members of Congress are proposing to close the U.S. Department of Education (ED), which includes decimating the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and relocating functions related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Advocates for children with disabilities are concerned that this move will jeopardize civil right protections and access to educational opportunities. Go to our updated page for opportunities to speak up for DOE.
Recent Arlington SEPTA Advocacy
FAQs for Families
August 20, 2024 FAQ for New Personal Electronic Device Policy and Students with Disabilities
June 10, 2024 Emergency Evacuation in Schools for Mobility Impaired People: A Q&A Regarding Virginia Assembly Legislation HB 501
October 2, 2022 Information Sheet on COVID Accommodations
July 1, 2022 New Seizure Safe Schools Law takes effect in Virginia. Information Sheet for APS Families
October 9, 2021 Restraint and Seclusion: A Q&A from Arlington SEPTA
Advocacy Letters
January 27, 2025 Wrote a letter to Arlington County Delegates supporting SB 738 and HB 1961 regarding regulation of student cell phone possession and use in schools.
March 11, 2024 Wrote the Arlington County Board a letter opposing elimination of the Behavioral Intervention Services (BIS) program
April 12, 2023 Wrote APS Leadership a Follow Up Letter Regarding the APS Need To Develop Protocols and Resolve the Accessibility Issues
March 23, 2023 Letter to APS Leadership with Key Accessibility Concerns within our School Facilities
February 8, 2023 Letter to VA Senate Education Committee Re: Oppose House Bill 1461 Written with Fairfax County SEPTA and partnered with 21 organizations who undersigned the letter
October 6, 2022 Letter Re: Requesting Meeting Regarding APS Staffing Issues Written with ASEAC to Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
September 29, 2022 Comments on “2022 Model Policies on the Privacy, Dignity, and Respect for All Students and Parents in Virginia’s Public Schools” Written to the Virginia Department of Education to oppose the 2022 Model Policies
August 13, 2022 SEPTA Letter to APS Regarding High Risk Students Access to School because of COVID-19 Written to the School Board and Arlington Superintendent
January 22, 2021 School Board Meeting Statement on Universal Masking Requirements
January 6, 2021 Letter Re: Access to In-Person Instruction for High-Risk Students Who Require Universal Masking Written to the School Board and Arlington Superintendent
September 30, 2021 Letter Re: Students with Disabilities in the Virtual Learning Program
Written to the School Board and Arlington Superintendent
April 5, 2021 Letter Re: Recommendation for School-Based Virtual Model in 2021-22 School Year
Written with ASEAC to School Board, Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, Chief of Staff, and Directors of Teaching and Learning
March 24, 2021 Letter Re: Addressing Ableism as an Equity Issue
Written with ASEAC to School Board, Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, Chief of Staff, and Directors of Teaching and Learning
Arlington SEPTA Surveys
September 2024 – SEPTA’s Personal Device Survey Results
September 2023 – ESY Survey Key Takeaways
February 2023 – Facilities Accessibility Survey
July 2020 – APS Reopening Plans
VAPTA Advocacy
To learn more about advocacy from the Virginia PTA check out:
Inside the Issues
Learn about VAPTA’s Legislative Priorities including Health and Safety, Infrastructure and School Quality and view pertinent resolutions, positions, policy letters, research and resources.
Advocacy Webinars
Advocacy Afternoon webinars and Learning Labs are designed to share information on topics that impact our students and school communities as well as connect parents and staff with policy makers and specialists
#TakeAction4Kids
Learn how to get involved and advocate for our students and schools on a state level.
National PTA Advocacy
Advocacy Toolkit
Designed to help advocates speak up for the health and wellbeing of all children, it includes everything from writing your legislators to scheduling Capitol Hill visits—even to reach out to the media.
Advocacy Training
PTA’s Advocacy Training focuses on grassroots advocacy and our resources include content and materials that will help any local, district or state PTA build its advocacy capacity by creating a campaign strategy and training leaders and members on key advocacy skills.