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Funding Washington Schools |
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Our Schools, Our Students — Our Choices for Funding Their Futures |
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Schools in Crisis: A State Problem Playing Out Locally Far too many students in Washington State’s 295 school districts are not future-ready after high school. The State’s outdated Basic Ed funding to school districts is compromising our future — students’ options after high school are in jeopardy. Rising costs and declining funds have strained our local schools to the breaking point. We can draw connections at the local level and explain to every legislator exactly what the gaps are in the State’s funding. Why are class sizes so large and class rooms overcrowded? Why do high schools have only 5 or 6 class periods while others have 7? Why are districts letting go librarians, cutting classroom programs, charging more user fees, and closing neighborhood school buildings? Why aren’t school districts funded at the level required to meet modern WA State standards? Other common questions directly related to underfunding. An overhaul of public education funding is mounting now in ‘08 — a solution is in progress. Big changes will begin mid-December 2008 with a final report by the Basic Education Finance Task Force (BEF), a bipartisan group appointed by the Governor. The legislature is reviewing education finance—it is defining basic ed and pricing it. The BEF report will be enormously influential in the near-term as well as a generational milestone — if the public supports their work — you can directly influence the endeavor. Lawmakers elected in ‘08 will need our state-wide support to push through BEF legislation developed in the Feb. 2009 budget Session that calls for the full funding of K-12 education over the next 6 years. There is a Crisis — causes and consequences shared across Washington state. The Evidence is Rational — school funding facts relevant and critical to every WA community. There is Opportunity for a Solution — recommendations in progress from the Basic Ed Finance Task Force. Advocacy Works — inform and support policymakers as they debate ed funding issues. |
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"It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders...." WA State Constitution
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Understand the consequences of underfunded K-12 students |
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Education Advocates in Washington State Children's Alliance - Fund Our Future WA - League of Education Voters - Network Excel. WA Schools - Stand For Children - WA State PTA |
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19% of WA 9th graders ultimately earn a college degree…. |
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Are you hosting a public presentation on Basic Education Funding? to distribute for sharing this web resource |