Education

signed · Washington · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1273: Improving student access to dual credit programs.

This bill aims to improve high school students' access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual credit programs in Washington state. It establishes and expands regional pilot programs through grant funding, enabling community and technical colleges, public high schools, and skill centers to boost student participation and credential attainment. The bill also directs the state board for community and technical colleges to plan for improving or replacing the statewide online enrollment and reporting system for CTE dual credit. Additionally, it requires reports to the legislature on the pilot program findings and recommendations for further improvements to dual credit policies and data collection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to dual credit programs via grant-funded regional pilots, boosting student participation and credential attainment in CTE education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1783: Concerning law enforcement officers participating in college and technical school programs.

HB 1783 allows Washington law enforcement officers to receive small gifts of appreciation (up to $25 in value) for speaking in specific college and technical school courses outside their official duties. The bill directly affects certified law enforcement officers and institutions offering criminal justice, police science, or forensic-related programs, aiming to strengthen community relationships and inspire future recruits. Key provisions permit officers to share real-world expertise in courses like police science or forensic technology, with gifts only allowed when presentations occur outside work hours and comply with state ethics rules. The bill responds to a 2024 workforce assessment highlighting challenges in connecting law enforcement with educational programs. It creates a limited exception to general rules prohibiting state employees from accepting gifts, focusing on educational engagement rather than compensation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables law enforcement to share expertise in criminal justice programs, enhancing curriculum relevance and student engagement in relevant educational courses.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

Track

signed · Washington · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 1572: Modifying higher education accreditation standards.

HB 1572 modifies higher education accreditation standards in Washington State. It updates the criteria for the state's higher education council to recognize accrediting agencies, requiring them to maintain rigorous standards for institutional quality, student learning, and financial responsibility. The bill also revises the conditions for certain out-of-state nonprofit institutions operating in Washington to be exempt from specific state regulations. Instead of requiring separate accreditation, these institutions must now meet new criteria related to their operating history, continuous accreditation, eligibility for federal student aid, and academic standing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates accreditation standards to require rigorous institutional quality, student learning, and financial responsibility, strengthening higher education oversight and quality assurance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

signed · Washington · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1295: Using evidence-based instructional practices in reading and writing literacy for public elementary students.

HB 1295 requires Washington public school districts to implement evidence-based reading and writing literacy programs for kindergarten through fourth grade students. These programs must include phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension instruction, and be fully operational by the 2027-28 school year. The bill also mandates revised teacher training standards for educators to deliver these programs, with new certification requirements by 2026 and educator preparation programs updated by 2027. This directly affects elementary schools, teachers, and students, particularly those identified as reading below grade level, with specific attention to improving equity in dyslexia screening and support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based literacy programs with specific instructional components (phonics, comprehension) and requires teacher training standards by 2026, advancing K-12 literacy education quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5517: Determining state allocations for school staff salaries.

SB 5517 sets new minimum state funding levels for school staff salaries in Washington, primarily affecting school districts and their non-teaching staff. It requires increasing the average state allocation for classified staff (such as office, clerical, and support workers) to $67,325 by the 2025-26 school year, with further increases to $73,384 for 2026-27 and $99,164 for classified administrators by 2027-28, all adjusted for inflation. The bill mandates regional cost adjustments for salary allocations based on local housing values and requires a four-year review to ensure funding aligns with staffing costs. These changes directly impact how school districts calculate state funding for non-certificated staff salaries.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates increased state funding for school staff salaries, directly expanding public education budget allocations through binding minimums.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased state funding for school staff salaries with specific dollar targets, directly advancing educational staffing resources and funding levels.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates increasing state funding for classified staff salaries to $67,325+ by 2027, directly advancing wage standards for non-teaching school workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1151: Establishing the ninth grade success grant program.

HB 1151 establishes a permanent ninth grade success grant program to fund school-based teams that identify and support ninth-grade students at risk of not graduating. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, prioritizes public schools with low ninth-grade on-track rates or below-average graduation rates, particularly in underserved communities. Grant funds cover team member compensation, professional development, substitute teachers for program duties, and direct student supports. Schools must report annually on participation, student demographics, and outcomes like on-track rates and graduation data through 2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded grant program for student support, increasing public education spending through dedicated budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes permanent grant program funding school-based teams for at-risk ninth graders to improve graduation rates, directly advancing K-12 educational support through targeted funding and resource allocation.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5369: Enhancing youth mental health and well-being through advanced training and expansion of the workforce in schools.

SB 5369 addresses Washington's critical shortage of school social workers, which currently stands at one worker for every 3,798 students - far below the recommended national standard of one per 250 students. The bill requires educational service districts to partner with universities, mental health agencies, and school districts to expand the workforce through in-school training placements for social work students and conditional certification pathways. It revises statutes to clarify school social workers' roles in providing mental health counseling, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and support for students with individualized education plans. The law directly affects K-12 schools and students, particularly those facing emotional distress, behavioral challenges, or high absenteeism rates, by increasing access to mental health support within educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school social worker workforce through partnerships and training, directly addressing K-12 mental health support and staffing shortages per national standards.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands school mental health workforce through training partnerships, directly addressing youth mental health services shortage per its title and summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands school social worker workforce via training placements and certification pathways, creating employment opportunities in mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health Professional Licensing

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1568: Modifying financial aid eligibility.

HB 1568 expands financial aid eligibility for Washington college students by raising the income threshold for full Washington College Grant coverage from 50% to 70% of the state median family income (adjusted for family size). It also creates a new $500 annual "bridge grant" for students receiving the maximum Washington College Grant but not the College Bound Scholarship, covering non-tuition costs like books, housing, and transportation. The bridge grant applies starting the 2025-26 academic year to students enrolled at least half-time. This bill directly affects low-income undergraduate students attending Washington state colleges and universities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state financial aid funding by raising income thresholds and adding $500 bridge grants, increasing public education spending per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands financial aid eligibility and adds bridge grant for college students, increasing access to higher education funding and reducing non-tuition barriers.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides $500 annual bridge grant covering housing costs for college students, directly supporting affordable housing access through financial aid expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5562: Concerning students attending approved apprenticeship programs.

This bill allows students enrolled in approved apprenticeship programs to access the same state financial aid (Washington College Grant) as community college students, covering tuition and fees at the two-year public college rate starting in 2022-23. It requires colleges to establish policies for awarding college credits toward degrees for classroom-based "related supplemental instruction" in apprenticeships, with credits needing approval within one year of program registration. By July 2026, colleges must implement statewide systems to transfer these credits across institutions, ensuring apprenticeship coursework counts toward degrees. The policy directly affects apprenticeship program students and public/private colleges in Washington.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state financial aid (Washington College Grant) to apprenticeship students, increasing state spending on education as a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands state financial aid access for apprenticeship students and enables college credit recognition, enhancing educational access and funding for higher education pathways.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables apprenticeship students to access financial aid for education, supporting workforce development and employment pathways through expanded training access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1267: Adjusting funded special education enrollment.

HB 1267 adjusts how Washington school districts receive state funding for special education programs. It gradually increases the "funded enrollment limit" (the percentage of students eligible for special education that districts can count for full funding) from 16% in 2024-25 to 17% by 2026-27. The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to monitor districts for potential over-identification of students for special education services, and mandates corrective action plans and state auditor audits if districts exceed the limit. This directly affects school districts and charter schools with special education enrollment percentages above the phased-in limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for special education by raising enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding eligibility by raising the enrollment cap from 16% to 17%, directly expanding state resources for K-12 special education programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Funding Special Education

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