2023 Leap Conference
Our annual LEAP conference attracts hundreds of student participants from across the state to take part in two days of civic engagement workshops, community empowerment, and advocacy in practice.
The conference will prepare and provide students with the tools and resources to become actively engaged as leaders and advocates in their communities. Students historically walk away from the conference empowered for better educational outcomes for themselves and others in our state. Educators who accompany students also have the opportunity to expand their professional development and their fluency in civics action curriculum.
On the second day of the conference, students put their knowledge and training to practice as they will be meeting with their specific state legislators in Olympia and will be advocates for issues important to their communities.
What bills the students were advocating for in the 2023 conference
HB 1228: Building a multilingual, multiliterate Washington through dual and tribal language education.
HB 1228 focuses on expanding the dual education and tribal education program in our state, which aims to have students from grades K-12 receive an education taught in English and another world language other than English.. Dual language programs can help close the academic opportunity gap, foster positive identity development, and build welcoming communities that value the diversity of languages and cultures across Washington. Research shows that dual language programs are the best ways to increase student achievement for English learners, while also improving education outcomes for their monolingual peers.
HB 1470: Concerning private detention facilities.
This bill seeks to improve conditions at private detention facilities in our state, such as the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma. It would mandate that private detention facilities are up to the same standards as the public facilities, increasing transparency and accountability. If it is approved, it would address many basic human necessities such as nutritious food, clean clothes, hygiene products, and medical care. This bill would also ban the use of solitary confinement. HB 1470 would also allow unannounced inspections from government agencies to ensure these conditions are being upheld
