Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5785: Modifying students' share of the education costs at institutions of higher education.

This bill modifies the Washington college grant and college bound scholarship programs, impacting students seeking financial aid for higher education in Washington state. It codifies the maximum eligibility for the Washington college grant to students with family incomes up to 60 percent of the state median family income. The bill also adjusts how maximum grant amounts are calculated for various institutions, including private universities and apprenticeship programs, with some changes taking effect in the 2026-27 academic year. Additionally, it updates criteria for institutional eligibility, specifically for out-of-state affiliated institutions, to participate in these financial aid programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationModifies grant eligibility to include lower-income students (up to 60% median income) and adjusts funding calculations, expanding access to higher education financial aid.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · House May 20, 2025

HB 2050: Implementing K-12 savings and efficiencies.

House Bill 2050 updates the system for providing state local effort assistance funding to K-12 public school districts in Washington. This funding helps supplement local school district levies for educational enrichment programs. The bill modifies how this assistance is calculated, including updating financial thresholds and refining definitions for terms like "eligible school district" and "student enrollment." It also removes temporary provisions related to how student enrollment from prior school years was considered for funding calculations. These changes affect how much state funding school districts receive to support their local education efforts, with an effective date of January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUpdates state funding formula for K-12 schools, maintaining supplemental support for public education budgets through revised financial thresholds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill updates K-12 funding system to maintain state assistance for educational enrichment programs, supplementing local levies without reducing support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · House May 20, 2025

HB 2049: Investing in the state's paramount duty to fund K-12 education and build strong and safe communities.

HB 2049 aims to enhance funding for K-12 education and communities by modifying state and local property tax authority and adjusting the school funding formula. The bill revises the maximum dollar amount school districts can levy for enrichment, setting it as the lesser of $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value or a per-pupil limit. This per-pupil limit is updated with specific "inflation enhancements" through 2030 and establishes a new base amount starting in 2031, impacting funding based on student enrollment. Additionally, it adjusts how the state provides local effort assistance funding to supplement these school district enrichment levies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax authority and school funding formula to increase K-12 education funding via inflation-linked per-pupil limits, directly enhancing public service budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to 'enhance funding for K-12 education' through revised property tax authority, per-pupil limits with inflation adjustments, and updated school funding formula.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5752: Modifying child care and early childhood development programs.

Senate Bill 5752 modifies child care and early childhood development programs for families and young children in Washington State. It extends the full statewide implementation timeline for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) from the 2026-27 school year to the 2030-31 school year. The bill also revises ECEAP eligibility criteria, removing basic food benefits as a standalone qualifier and adding eligibility for Indian children at or below 100% of the state median income. Additionally, it updates the "birth to three" ECEAP pilot project by making its funding subject to appropriation and clarifying eligibility for children under 36 months from low-income families or those receiving basic food benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands ECEAP eligibility to include Indian children and removes barriers, increasing access to early childhood education programs, a core education access component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · House May 17, 2025

HB 1651: Concerning teacher residency and apprenticeship programs.

HB 1651 establishes formal frameworks for teacher residency and apprenticeship programs in Washington state. It defines a teacher residency as a preparation model integrating a full year of collaborative classroom teaching with academic coursework, requiring partnerships between schools and approved teacher preparation programs. Residents must receive at least 900 hours of clinical practice, and both residents and their preservice mentors receive funding or stipends. The bill also defines teacher apprenticeships as programs providing 2,000 hours of on-the-job mentored teaching experience, approved by both the state apprenticeship and training council and the professional educator standards board. These programs aim to provide structured, hands-on training for aspiring teachers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes funded teacher residency programs with 900+ clinical hours, stipends for residents/mentors, and requires school-prep program partnerships, directly strengthening educator preparation and funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5769: Addressing transition to kindergarten programs.

Senate Bill 5769 renames "transitional kindergarten" to "transition to kindergarten programs" and formally establishes them in state statute. The program aims to assist eligible children, at least four years old, who need additional preparation to succeed in kindergarten. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will administer these programs, setting rules for eligibility, funding, and minimum standards, including requiring a local early learning needs assessment. School districts, charter schools, and state-tribal education compact schools will operate these programs, prioritizing enrollment for low-income families and children most in need, and cannot charge tuition for state-funded participants.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFormalizes transition to kindergarten programs, requiring early learning assessments to support student readiness and access for eligible children.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 17, 2025

SB 5192: Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs.

This bill updates the formula for allocating state funding to support basic education in Washington state school districts. It outlines how funds are distributed based on the resources needed for "prototypical" elementary, middle, and high schools. The formula specifies minimum staffing levels for classroom teachers, including average class sizes for various grades and subjects, and allocations for other essential school staff like principals and support personnel. Additionally, it mandates the Superintendent of Public Instruction to report per-pupil allocations for different programs to enhance transparency, while generally allowing districts flexibility in how they use these funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill updates state funding formula for public schools, mandating minimum staffing/class size allocations which requires increased budget allocation for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates state funding formula for basic education, specifies minimum teacher staffing/class sizes, and allocates funds for essential school staff per bill summary.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · House May 13, 2025

HB 1587: Encouraging local government partner promise scholarship programs within the opportunity scholarship program.

House Bill 1587 encourages local governments, including municipalities, counties, and federally recognized Indian tribes, to establish their own "promise scholarship programs" for Washington students. These local programs will operate within the existing Washington state opportunity scholarship program, which will administer the scholarships, but local governments can set their own student eligibility rules and determine which educational programs to support. The scholarships aim to cover tuition and fees not met by other state aid, with local governments having the option to provide additional funds for expenses like books. The bill also authorizes state matching funds, up to $300,000 per local program annually, to support these efforts and expand access to postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by enabling local scholarship programs within existing opportunity scholarships, covering tuition and allowing local eligibility rules for student support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 5189: Supporting the implementation of competency-based education.

Senate Bill 5189 supports the implementation of competency-based education in Washington state public schools, affecting students, school districts, and state education agencies. It requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to adopt rules by September 1, 2025, to authorize full-time enrollment funding for approved competency-based programs. The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a process for identifying schools implementing competency-based education and for creating competencies aligned with state learning standards. Additionally, it mandates the development of a competency-based high school transcript format and ensures equitable access to interscholastic activities for students in these programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates state funding for competency-based education programs through enrollment funding rules, directing budget allocation to support public education initiatives.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state funding rules for competency-based education programs, advancing alternative teaching models in K-12 schools through mandated implementation and funding mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Washington · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 5110: Providing tuition waivers for tribal elders at Washington’s community and technical colleges.

SB 5110 allows Washington's community and technical colleges to waive tuition and certain fees for tribal elders. Specifically, it permits colleges to waive all or a portion of tuition and service and activity fees for tribal elders over 55 years old from eligible Indian tribes. This bill directly affects these tribal elders who may seek to enroll in community or technical colleges. The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is authorized to adopt rules to implement this provision.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access for tribal elders by waiving tuition/fees at community colleges, directly increasing enrollment opportunities in higher education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education