SB 5120 revises Washington's basic education funding formula to determine how state money is allocated to school districts. It establishes standard school models (e.g., a high school with 600 students) with specific class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) to calculate funding, adjusting for actual enrollment and factors like high-poverty schools. School districts must publicly report per-student funding data on their websites, and the state must publish statewide averages for transparency. The bill affects all Washington public school districts by changing how instructional funds are distributed based on these updated formulas.
House Bill 1167 directs the existing statewide career and technical education task force to specifically consider educational opportunities for careers in maritime professions. The bill expands the task force's mandate, requiring it to develop recommendations for strengthening and expanding access to work-integrated learning, including career and technical education and apprenticeship programs, with a particular focus on the maritime sector. These recommendations will cover aspects like curricula, industry partnerships, educator training, and alignment with postsecondary programs. The aim is to enhance and standardize career and technical education programs to better prepare students for jobs in maritime industries.
HB 1338 revises Washington state's formula for distributing basic education funding to school districts. It establishes specific per-pupil funding levels based on "prototypical" school models (e.g., 600 students for high schools, 432 for middle schools, 400 for elementary schools), setting minimum class size requirements (like 17 students per teacher in K-3) and staff ratios for roles including teachers, librarians, paraeducators, and support staff. The bill mandates transparency by requiring the superintendent to publish per-pupil funding data online and school districts to link to it on their websites. This directly affects all public school districts in Washington, determining how state funds are allocated for core instructional programs and operational costs.
SB 5718 allows certain teachers and school employees who joined retirement plan 3 between 1996-2007 (teachers) or 2000-2007 (school employees) to irrevocably transfer to plan 2 for future service, as they were never offered this choice when initially enrolling. Members must make the transfer during January after the bill's effective date and earn service credit for that month. The bill explicitly prohibits transfers for those already retired and reserves the legislature's right to modify or end this option. It also includes a provision to suspend transfers if federal tax guidance conflicts with the policy.
HB 1832 aims to improve student performance in Washington state by focusing on evidence-based literacy and math instruction, primarily affecting public schools, students in grades K-4, and educators. It mandates schools to implement science-based reading programs by 2027-28 (emphasizing phonics, fluency, and comprehension), prohibits guessing-word methods, and requires hiring reading coaches in elementary schools. The bill allocates $250 per eligible student (adjusted for inflation) to school districts for targeted support, calculated based on the percentage of students not meeting grade-level standards in math and English language arts. Additionally, it updates teacher training standards to align with the science of reading and requires the superintendent to monitor school compliance with new literacy requirements.
SB 5270 expands Washington's existing Beginning Educator Support Team Program to include novice school nurses as direct participants requiring mentorship. It requires school districts receiving program funds to provide trained mentors to registered nurses or advanced practice nurses in their first three years of school-based roles. The bill mandates that districts prioritize these novice school nurses for the same structured mentorship components already used for new teachers and principals, including paid orientation, assigned mentors for up to three years, and professional development. This change directly affects school districts securing program funding and the novice school nurses employed by those districts. The bill does not create a new program but integrates school nurses into the current educator support framework.
HB 1727 requires all Washington school districts to adopt policies by September 1, 2026, guaranteeing every K-12 student access to school library information and technology programs staffed by qualified teacher-librarians. The bill defines "teacher-librarian" as a certificated educator with a library media endorsement and mandates that programs support state learning standards, digital citizenship, and information literacy. Districts with fewer than 3,000 students may use non-certified staff temporarily if they’ve made reasonable efforts to hire certified librarians and partner with other districts or libraries. The legislation aims to address current gaps, as 60% of districts lack certified librarian staffing, disproportionately impacting low-income and students of color. It emphasizes programs must be school-based and align with educational technology integration and literacy goals.
HB 1352 amends Washington's educator support program to require school districts receiving funds to provide trained mentors for "novice school nurses" (registered or advanced practice nurses in their first three years of school-based roles). The bill expands an existing program for beginning teachers, principals, and staff to include school nurses under the same mentorship requirements. Key provisions mandate districts prioritize these mentors, align with research-based induction standards, and include components like paid orientation, ongoing professional development, and non-evaluative observations. The law applies to school districts receiving competitive state funds for the Beginning Educator Support Team program, which focuses on improving retention and support for new educators. This is not a standalone nurse program but an expansion of an existing educator support framework.
SB 5693 establishes new standards for teacher residency and apprenticeship programs in Washington. It defines teacher residencies as year-long programs pairing new educators with mentor teachers for 900 hours of supervised classroom practice (450 hours for graduate students), requiring school district and teacher prep program partnerships, cohort structures, and mentor stipends. The bill also creates teacher apprenticeship programs for bachelor's degree holders needing no graduate degree, mandating 2,000 hours of mentored teaching. Additionally, it adds a scholarship program for educators entering these pathways who commit to teaching in shortage areas, and plans to rename "residency certificates" to "initial certificates" by 2026.
HB 1910 modifies Washington State's school funding formula to increase state allocations for teacher-librarians in public schools. The bill specifies minimum staffing levels of 0.66 full-time equivalent positions for teacher-librarians in elementary schools and one full-time equivalent position in middle and high schools. This change directly affects all public school districts receiving basic education funding by mandating additional state resources for school library media programs. The increased funding supports information literacy and technology resources through library programs, as defined in the bill's amendment to the state's education funding law.
