State Funding is Insufficient to Cover K-12 Education Needs in Washington
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Washington State is required by State Constitution to provide ample funding to support basic K-12 education, but it does not provide enough to support students' needs. This is a main reason why school districts across the state are making budget cuts or closing schools. School districts are providing what students need โ such as qualified educators, materials and supplies, insurance, transportation, and special education services โ but the state has not increased funding to cover these costs! Many districts are therefore raising local levies or making major programming cuts or harmful school closures, which is hurting communities across Washington.
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Washington State is estimated to have a $4 billion funding gap for K-12 public education, according to State's Superintendent of Public Instruction.
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In 2024, Washington State spends $1,000 less per student than they did in 2018 when accounted for inflation, and yet student needs have increased since the pandemic.
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Washington State only covers 74% of district costs for special education services statewide, which is a $590 million gap between what Washington State provides and what districts have to spend.
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Since 2018, school district costs have risen by 39% for bus fuel, 37% for electricity, 33% for milk, and 18% for teacher salaries, but state funds allocated to districts has not kept pace.
Source for data: Washington School Funding, Washington Association of School Administrators; Performance Audit of Special Education: Funding Formulas and Spending, JLARC
Key Resources to Learn More
Teach-In on Washington's Education Funding Crisis - MLK Labor Council K-12 Delegates
Issues at the Core of Washington State's School Funding Dilemma - Washington Association of School Administrators
K-12 Operating Budget Proposal 2025-2027 to Governor Inslee - OSPI Superintendent Christ Reykdal
McCleary Case: A Short History of a Long and Complicated Washington School Funding Fight - Max Bartlett, Northwest Public Broadcasting
Only the Legislature Can Solve School Funding Problems - Washington's Paramount Duty
Money Talks: From the State to the District, How School Funding Works in Washington (video) - Washington State PTA
With Schools, Money Does Indeed Matter; So Does How We Spend It - David S. Knight & Pooya Almasi, the Seattle Times
Schools Across Washington Are Struggling to Balance Their Budgets - Janelle Retka, The Seattle Times
K-12 Education Finance 101: A People's Guide - The People's Big 5
Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2025 - 2026 - Washington State PTA
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