Legislative Update: Friday, March 13, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 13, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday! This week wrapped up the 2026 Legislative Session with the gavel coming down for the last time on Thursday, March 12, which marked Sine Die. The big news this week was the “millionaires tax,” which despite republican resistance from the start, House Democrats were able to send it back to the senate for agreement and then onto the desk of Governor Bob Ferguson who says he will sign it. It took over24 hours of debate, with republicans attempting to slow down the policy by filibustering with nearly 60 amendment proposals to the legislation. Adding to the fact that democrats proposed over 20 amendments of their own to SB 6346, this debate ended up clocking in as one of the longest in recent history over a single piece of legislation. Needless to say, in the end, it passed with a final vote tally of 51-46, with eight dissenting democrats joining republicans.

In terms of what sort of impact this bill will have on education in Washington State schools, depends on who you talk to. That is, opinions are mixed along party lines. The Seattle Times reported, “Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, the chief sponsor of the tax measure, praised tweaks made by the House, including a pledge to use some of the money to guarantee free school lunches for children in K-12 schools.” Most of the money generated by this tax would go into the state’s general fund budget, which funds K-12 schools. A 5% chunk will be dedicated to child care and early learning.

In an opposing view, The Washington State Standard quoted Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, “This bill is wrong for our economy, it’s wrong for our families, it’s wrong for our communities, it’s wrong for our state. Let’s not concur,” he said.

As for the budget, Democrats released their budget deal on Wednesday. Child-care providers who take subsidies from the government will pay the biggest price. However, the K-12 system will not escape budget constraints. The Transition to Kindergarten program will receive $27 million less than previous years, resulting in a loss of roughly a third of the program’s available slots. This article from The Spokesman, breaks down the K-12 funding cuts, such examples include: reducing how much districts are reimbursed for buying school buses and money for running start programs. Local effort assistance, a program that subsidizes school districts without much property value to tax from, would also see reductions.

State Superintendent, Chris Reykdal, shared his opinion on the final budget. “The Legislature has not fully funded the state’s paramount duty since 2019, but sadly, they embraced the Governor’s proposed cuts to education. This budget makes harmful reductions to programs that directly serve students—reductions that are likely to impact students identified as low-income the most. Read his full statement here.

Bills Delivered to Governor Ferguson for Signature

E3SHB 1634: which establishes a network of statewide and regional partners to provide school districts and public schools with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive student supports across the behavioral health continuum.

SHB 2360: which would allow public and private schools to maintain and use a supply of albuterol at each school beginning in the 2027-28 school year.

ESHB 2534: which would make changes to school district requirements for enrolling children of military families, transferring their education records, and providing them with services and accommodations.

ESHB 2557: which would require a school district to provide the student’s parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report at least five school days before the meeting at which the report will be reviewed, or the student’s eligibility for services will be determined, unless the parent or guardian provides a written waiver of this timeline. Parents Get More Time to Review Special Ed Evaluations with New Law.

2SSB 5969: which directs that the statewide online system for Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and High School and Beyond Plans be integrated to the greatest extent possible in order to relieve duplication between the plans.

SSB 6268: which would require OSPI to maintain an online record of all final decisions issued in response to special education community complaints in the prior 20 years.

SB 6278: which would require the PESB to conduct an ongoing review of approved educator preparation programs to include program standards, educator role standards, evidence submitted by programs, and input from community constituents such as classroom educators and administrators.

ESSB 6326: which imposes a 9.90 percent tax on individuals on the receipt of income exceeding $1 million beginning in 2028, expands eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit to include persons who are at least 18 years of age and who meet other eligibility requirements, repeals sales taxes on certain specified services, which were enacted in 2025 in ESSB 5814 and exempts the individual income tax from a statutory prohibition on state and local income taxes.

House Bills

ESHB 1295: which would require public schools to implement a comprehensive literacy program that uses evidence-based instructional practices to promote the early literacy and reading and writing literacy of students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The bill also directs the PESB to adopt revised literacy endorsement standards and to require teacher preparation programs to implement the revised standards. The bill has passed both chambers.

ESHB 1795: This bill would prohibit specified interventions, including chemical and mechanical restraint, and prohibit the construction of isolation rooms, while allowing physical restraint and isolation of students under certain conditions. The bill would also prohibit the isolation of students in prekindergarten through fifth grade beginning August 1, 2027, except under specified conditions and modify requirements for incident notification, review, and reporting, behavioral intervention planning; and policies and procedures. The bill has passed both chambers and been signed by the House Speaker.

SHB 2594: which establishes state-based requirements for ensuring that homeless children and youths have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as is provided to other children and youths. The bill has passed both chambers and has been signed by the House Speaker.

Odds and Ends

In honor of March Madness, here’s a shout out to Seattle’s Rainier Beach High School and the nation’s number one NBA recruit. Seattle’s Rainier Beach features the nation’s hottest basketball recruit. At 18, he’s already making millions

For Women’s History Month, from Edutopia.org, Celebrating Women’s History Month in Middle School.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Samantha Miller returns as CSTP’s Legislative Updates Coordinator for the 2026 legislative session. She writes weekly emails during the legislative session focusing on bills that impact Washington educators.

Samantha has degrees in both Political Science and History, as well as a Master’s in Teaching. Samantha has worked in Elementary Education for 8 years, most recently as a 3rd Grade general education teacher. The majority of her time is spent chasing around her two children who keep her very busy. Samantha enjoys running, working in her yard, listening to political podcasts, and spending time with her family.

Legislative Update: Friday, March 6, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on March 6, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday folks! Hard to believe we are entering the last week of the 2026 Legislative Session. Monday, March 2, was the cut-off for the fiscal committees in the opposite house. To be more specific, it was the last day for the Senate Ways & Means Committee to hear and pass house bills out of committee, and the House Appropriations Committee to hear and pass senate policy bills out of committee. This cut-off resulted in the death of many more bills in Olympia. The rest of the week was filled with floor action, as bills need to pass the chambers by 5pm today, Friday, March 6.

There remains a lot for legislators to do as the clock keeps ticking towards March 12 and Sine Die. There are dozens of bills that lawmakers hope to send to the governor for his signature, as well as finalizing and passing the capital, operating and transportation supplementary budgets. There is also the issue of the income tax on millionaires, which remains controversial between Washington Democrats and the governor.

SB 6346, most notably referred to as the “millionaires tax,” passed out of the House Finance Committee last week. Rep. Sharlett Mena, a Democrat from Tacoma, spoke about her decision to vote yes on SB 6346, saying, “It ensures that we have the resources to invest in early learning, child care, public education, health care, food assistance and workforce development programs, as well as the working families tax credit.”

ESHB 1795, which addresses isolation and restraint in our public schools, passed out of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee and is in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting action. This bill has been a priority policy bill for lawmakers since its original version was filed last session. Its authors await the fate of this bill as the 5pm deadline approaches.

House Bills

SHB 2360: which would allow public and private schools to maintain and use a supply of albuterol at each school beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The bill has passed out of the Senate Rules Committee.

ESHB 2557: which would require a school district to provide the student’s parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report at least five school days before the meeting at which the report will be reviewed, or the student’s eligibility for services will be determined, unless the parent or guardian provides a written waiver of this timeline. The bill has been signed by the Senate President.

Senate Bills

SSB 5841: which requires high school and beyond plans to contain evidence that the student has completed at least one state or federal financial aid application, or that their parent or legal guardian has opted the student out of this requirement. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 5956: which prohibits certain decisions related to student discipline and school safety based on automated decision systems, school surveillance technology, biometric data, and facial recognition services. This bill would direct OSPI to update its guidance on artificial intelligence in K-12 education to address automated decision systems and school surveillance technologies. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

SSB 6268: which would require OSPI to maintain an online record of all final decisions issued in response to special education community complaints in the prior 20 years. The bill has been signed by the Senate President.

Odds and Ends

The big question facing schools around the country regarding cell phone bans: are these bans actually working? From NPR Education, What Worked and What Didn’t with a Cellphone Ban at a Kentucky School.

Although we normally do not include opinion pieces in these updates, it is not often that State Superintendent, Chris Reydal, crafts his own for the press. Published in The News Tribune, Superintendent: Legislature, Governor, are Short-Changing WA Students|Opinion.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, February 27, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 27, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

With another week wrapped up, lawmakers are approaching the last two weeks of the 2026 legislative session. Sine die is scheduled for Thursday, March 12. This time crunch creates increasing pressure on lawmakers who still need to balance the operating, transportation and capital supplemental budgets, on top of passing a variety of policy bills and still finding time to negotiate state and local revenue packages. So much to do and so little time. After last week’s house of origin cut-off, policy committee members had just over a week to hear and exec bills out of committee before this Wednesday’s (February 25) deadline. Bills that were not passed out of committees in the opposite house, do not move forward.

On Sunday, February 22nd, budget leaders released their supplementary budget proposals. These proposals dropped about a week after the release of the February Revenue Forecast. For an overview of the differences between the supplemental budget proposals on all fronts, this article from the Washington State Standard provides clear analysis. There just is not much good news to report regarding school funding and support, given the looming deficit in next year’s forecast. In fact, the Senate Democrats’ proposal makes the largest reduction in spending by cuts to the Working Connections Childcare Program, adjustments to K-12 transition-to-kindergarten programs and reductions to Local Effort Assistance to Schools.

On Monday, Washington’s State Superintendent of Public Schools, Chris Reykdal, weighed in on the budget proposals. Reykdal stated, “With so much talk of additional revenue, but zero commitment at this point to fund education with additional dollars, voters must wonder when education will be prioritized by the current governor and the current legislative majorities.” OSPI notes that while legislative leaders have proposed to collect new revenue through a “millionaires tax,” they have not made specific commitments for how the new revenue will, or will not, support public schools.

As the final weeks commence, it is up to legislators of both houses to negotiate the final plan. Lawmakers must settle on final budget and policy measures, including deciding whether to adopt the proposed income tax, and pass a final supplemental budget before March 12, the last day of the session. This remains quite a daunting “to do” list indeed.

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Wednesday, March 4th @ 8am

House Bills We’re Following

HB 1295: which would require public schools to implement a comprehensive literacy program that uses evidence-based instructional practices to promote the early literacy and reading and writing literacy of students in kindergarten through fourth grade. The bill also directs the PESB to adopt revised literacy endorsement standards and to require teacher preparation programs to implement the revised standards. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SHB 2360: which would allow public and private schools to maintain and use a supply of albuterol at each school beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

ESB 2534: which would make changes to school district requirements for enrolling children of military families, transferring their education records, and providing them with services and accommodations. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

E2SB 2636: which establishes the 15-member Public Education Review Advisory Council and directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to examine policy requirements and funding provisions for public schools recommended for review by the Council. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Senate Bills We’re Following

ESSB 6247: which directs educational service districts (ESDs) to provide additional budget oversight and support to school districts that are in binding conditions or showing indicators of financial distress. The bill also directs the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to provide governance training regarding district budgeting, accounting, and financial health, and requires school directors to complete the training. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

Odds and Ends

The goal? To embrace the inevitable? From The Olympian, WA Education Leaders are all in on Using AI in the Classroom. Why?

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, February 20, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 20, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday folks! We have wrapped up another fast-paced week in Olympia, and with that brought the end to a number of education related bills that never made it out of their respective rules committees. Tuesday, February 17, was the house of origin cut-off, and bills that were not passed out of their original chamber by 5pm did not move forward this session. The next cut-off that looms for lawmakers is Wednesday, February 25th. This will be the last day for policy committees in the opposite house to pass bills on to fiscal committees.

This week’s policy hearings were jam packed in terms of bills heard, but brief when it came to the number of testifiers. In shorter sessions, policy committees move as fast as possible, not spending the time to hear in detail from a wide variety of testifiers signing in on bills, but rather brief the bills thoroughly, consider the possible fiscal impact, and move on. This makes sense given the short schedule and what is required of these lawmakers in such a compact time frame. For example, the senate ed committee exec’d out both SHB 2360, which expands access to albuterol in public schools and ESHB 2534, which promotes educational stability for military families, without holding additional public hearings.

The one exception this week was the public hearing on ESHB 1795, which addresses the use of isolation and restraint in public schools. This bill is a streamlined version of the one introduced last session, and has been one that has drawn much interest, controversy and has been amended several times. The senate ed committee’s hearing lasted nearly an hour with numerous testifiers as well as discussion and questions from committee members. Questions on implementation and training of school staff continue to be issues raised by committee members, however, as stated by Senator and Committee Chair, Lisa Wellman, “the bill is a step in the right direction.”

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, February 23rd @ 130pm
Tuesday, February 24th @ 4pm

Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, February 24th @ 8am
Wednesday, February 25th @ 1030am

House Bills We’re Following

HB 1795: This bill would prohibit specified interventions, including chemical and mechanical restraint, and prohibit the construction of isolation rooms, while allowing physical restraint and isolation of students under certain conditions. The bill would also prohibit the isolation of students in prekindergarten through fifth grade beginning August 1, 2027, except under specified conditions and modify requirements for incident notification, review, and reporting, behavioral intervention planning; and policies and procedures (hearing time: 19:17). Testifying in support: representatives from the Arc of King County, Roots and Inclusion, Team Child, Auburn SD, Disability Rights WA, SBE, OSPI, WEA, WSSDA and several concerned citizens.Testifying as “other:” representatives from Public School Employees, AWSP. The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

SHB 2360: which would expand access to albuterol in public and private schools (hearing time: 33:07).Testifying as “other”: a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

HB 2557: which would require a school district to provide the student’s parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report at least five school days before the meeting at which the report will be reviewed or the student’s eligibility for services will be determined, unless the parent or guardian provides a written waiver of this timeline (hearing time: 7:21and 58:43). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, Arc of King County, OSPI, Seattle SEPTSA, The bill is in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

Senate Bills We’re Following

SSB 5240: which would allow a school nurse or designated trained school personnel to use any available epinephrine on school property to respond to an anaphylactic reaction when certain requirements are met (1:21:24). Testifying in opposition: representatives from the School Nurses of WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WFIS. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5346: which would revise the definition of digital citizenship so that the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use include student use of mobile devices as well as directs OSPI to include research on student use of mobile devices and recommended best practice strategies for teaching students how to use their mobile devices responsibly (hearing time: 1:45:22). Testifying in support: representatives from Stand for Children, and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other:” representatives from Distraction-Free Schools WA. The bill is in the House Education Committee. As School Cellphone Bans Gain in Popularity, Lawmakers say it’s time to go Bell-to-Bell.

SB 5961: which would transfer the imagination library program from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as well as direct OSPI, to contract with a nonprofit entity experienced in the provision of promoting early literacy for children through pediatric office visits. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 5992: which would create a non-appropriated, youth development fund account and authorize the Superintendent of Public Instruction to distribute grant funding from the account to certain entities to support youth development programs. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 6222: which allows school districts and educational service districts to sell surplus computer laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices or equipment at depreciated cost to public school students (hearing time: 00:29and 54:55). Testifying in support: representatives from Zero-Waste WA, the Issaquah SD, The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SB 6247: which directs educational service districts (ESDs) to provide additional budget oversight and support to school districts that are in binding conditions or showing indicators of financial distress. The bill also directs the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to provide governance training regarding district budgeting, accounting, and financial health, and requires school directors to complete the training (hearing time: 6:24). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and ESD 113. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA and WASA. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

SSB 6268: which would require OSPI to maintain an online record of all final decisions issued in response to special education community complaints in the prior 20 years (hearing time: 00:44 and 35:36). Testifying in support: several concerned citizens. The bill is in the House Education Committee.

Odds and Ends

Seattle Public Schools boosting highly capable programming. From The Seattle Times, Seattle Getting More Advanced Learning Programs.

On a festive note – Happy Chinese New Year! Dancing into the Lunar New Year.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, February 13, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 13, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

We made it to the end of week 5 and it was one full of long hearings and bill cut-offs. Over the weekend, fiscal committees in both chambers held marathon hearings and executive sessions, doing their best to move as many bills out of committee by Monday’s cut-off date, all the while feeling the constraints of the tight budget. As the Washington State Standard’s Goldstein-Street put it, “with another budget shortfall hanging over the session, bills that cost much are having a hard time.” The House of Origin Cut-off will be at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17^th. By that date/time, bills sitting in respective “Rules Committees” will need to be passed out into the opposite chamber.

Bills that are considered directly “necessary to implement the budget,” like those that include new taxes or otherwise bring in revenue for the state, are not constrained by these cut-offs and can be brought forward at any time in the session. This can get a bit confusing as lawmakers get creative, attaching this NTIB label to specific bills. This only adds to the mounting pressure felt by legislators as they approach the last few weeks of session and sine die (end of session) on March 12.

This cut-off marked a shift, as legislators spent the remainder of the week debating legislation on the floor. Bills that survived this cut-off will head back to the policy committee in the opposite house for more debate and likely amending.

On Thursday, OSPI sent out a press release highlighting a positive trend in student attendance since the pandemic. Read that press release here.

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Wednesday, February 18th @ 1030am
Thursday, February 19th @ 8am

Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee:

Wednesday, February 18th @ 1030am
Thursday, February 19th @ 1030am

House Bills We’re Following

HB 2007: which authorizes the use of competency-based assessment in specified graduation pathways. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2262: which would require that the content of mandatory high school civics classes include instruction in producing legible, repeatable, official cursive signatures and how signatures are used by election officials. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2360: which would expand access to albuterol in public and private schools (hearing time: 33:07).Testifying as “other”: a concerned citizen. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2636: which establishes the 15-member Public Education Review Advisory Council and directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to examine policy requirements and funding provisions for public schools recommended for review by the Council. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

Senate Bills We’re Following

SSB 5346: which would revise the definition of digital citizenship so that the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use include student use of mobile devices as well as directs OSPI to include research on student use of mobile devices and recommended best practice strategies for teaching students how to use their mobile devices responsibly. The bill has passed out of the Senate Rules Committee. As School Cellphone Bans Gain in Popularity, Lawmakers say it’s time to go Bell-to-Bell.

SB 5943: which allows expiring impact fees to be used to modernize school facilities to comply with state and federal laws regarding student safety, campus security, emergency response, and energy efficiency standards. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5969: which directs that the statewide online system for Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and High School and Beyond Plans be integrated to the greatest extent possible in order to relieve duplication between the plans. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6089: which aims to increase coordination and alignment among state agencies, educational institutions, and workforce partners across the education continuum. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6130: which directs public high schools to observe National Voter Registration Day each September and to coordinate voter registration events on National Voter Registration Day. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SSB 6222: which allows school districts and educational service districts to sell surplus computer laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices or equipment at depreciated cost to public school students. The bill has passed out of the Senate Rules Committee.

Odds and Ends

I say, let them celebrate! From The Seattle Times, 12k Seattle Students (and some Teachers) Skip Class Amid Seahawks Parade.

The latest on the school lunch – guidelines shifting and slowly trickling down. From NPR Education, How the New Dietary School Guidelines Could Impact School Meals.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, February 6, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on February 6, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Legislators faced their first cut-off of the 2026 legislative session. Wednesday, February 4, was the policy committee cut-off. Bills that did not get “exec’d,” and passed onto to their respective rules or fiscal committees are considered dead and will not move forward this session. Due to the budgetary constraints, and necessary cuts, lawmakers were forced to make some very difficult decisions and alter priorities. Regarding the budget, we can assume that fiscal committees will release their respective budget proposals after the release of the February Revenue Forecast which should drop next week.

There were many bills that did not make the cut. As plainly stated in the Washington State Standard on Thursday, “A 60-day legislative session can be a cruel thing if you’re hoping to see a bill passed.” One bill worth noting that will not move forward this session was Senate Ed Chair, Lisa Wellman’s sponsored SB 6261, which required parents to sign a declaration of intent if they were to homeschool their child. Bills that passed out of their policy committees and into fiscal committees have until Monday, February 9, which is a quick turnaround. After that, bills must pass out of their original chamber by February 17. Bills that are considered “necessary to the budget,” are immune from deadline.

On Thursday, February 5th, Washington States’ Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdal, addressed the media regarding a proposal to sustain state funding for public K–12 schools with increased revenue. Reykdal addressed the tax code and how it affects the state’s paramount duty to its residents. He dropped the fact that it costs $400,00 dollars today to raise a child in our state, and that universal access to early learning should be the number one priority. Watch the full address here.

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Appropriations Committee:

Friday, February 6th @ 1030am
Saturday, February 7th @ 9am
Monday, February 9th @ 1030am

Senate Ways & Means Committee:

Friday, February 6th @ 130pm
Monday, February 9th @ 1030am

House Bills We’re Following

SSHB 1634: which establishes a network of statewide and regional partners to provide school districts and public schools with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive student supports across the behavioral health continuum (hearing time: 1:18:47). Testified in support: representatives from Washington Thriving, NCESD, WSPTA, WSASP, OSPI, North Thurston SD, several concerned citizens and a student from the Mercer Island SD. Testified in opposition: representatives from CCHR. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2007: which authorizes the use of competency-based assessment in specified graduation pathways (hearing time: 1:30:50). Testifying in support: several students from Lake Washington HS and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the SBE. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2147: which provides additional funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2360: which would expand access to albuterol in public and private schools (hearing time: 33:07).Testifying in support: representatives from WSNA, OSPI, and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: a concerned citizen. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2369: which establishes the Washington Local Food for Schools Program (WLFSP) in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to facilitate increased procurement and distribution of Washington-grown foods to participating school districts. (hearing time 22:04). Testifying in support: representatives from ESD 101, Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition, WCA, YLAC, WAF2Snetwork, Olympia SD and OSPI. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2534: which would make changes to school district requirements for enrolling children of military families, transferring their education records, and providing them with services and accommodations (hearing time: 15:24). Testifying in support: representatives from Peninsula SD, Veterans Legislative Coalition and several concerned citizens. Testifying as “other”: representatives from the WEA. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2557: which would require a school district to provide the student’s parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report at least five school days before the meeting at which the report will be reviewed or the student’s eligibility for services will be determined, unless the parent or guardian provides a written waiver of this timeline (hearing time: 36:43). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WSPTA and Lake Washington SD.Testifying in opposition: representatives of WSASP and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

HB 2594: which establishes state-based requirements for ensuring that homeless children and youths have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as is provided to other children and youths (hearing time: 1:05:13).Testifying in support: representatives from Building Changes, Communities in Schools WA, WSASP, Seattle Public Schools, Sumner-Bonney Lake SD, WSPTA, and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the House Rules Committee.

HB 2636: which would establish a 15-member Public Education Performance, Operations, and Funding Review Commission and direct the Commission to examine and report on policy requirements and funding for public schools enacted through legislation (hearing time: 1:20:38). Testifying in support: representatives from the Rural Ed Center and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bills We’re Following

SB 5346: which would revise the definition of digital citizenship so that the norms of appropriate, responsible, and healthy behavior related to current technology use includes student use of mobile devices as well as directs OSPI to include research on student use of mobile devices and recommended best practice strategies for teaching students how to use their mobile devices responsibly (hearing time: 15:33 and 1:08:22). Testifying in support: representatives from WBBA/Global Strategies, SCPTSA and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: one concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5574: which requires school districts to adopt a policy ensuring that instruction in Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history is included in one or more required social studies courses when the district reviews or adopts its social studies curriculum during its regular review cycle (hearing time: 45:49). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, AWSP, Make Us Visible, SCPTSA, several concerned citizens, and a student at Bellevue HS. Testifying in opposition: a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5841: which requires high school and beyond plans to contain evidence that the student has completed at least one state or federal financial aid application, or that their parent or legal guardian has opted the student out of this requirement. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5860: which would increase the compensation amount for school board directors from $50 per day to $100 per day and would add child care costs as a type of expense to be paid when directors attend school board meetings (hearing time: 16:47). Testifying in support: representatives from South Sound Superintendents. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA. From the Seattle Times, Bill Seeks to Increase School Board Directors’ Pay. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5907: which would expand allowable enrollment in the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), to children from a household with a parent who is a military member and has a family income under a specified threshold (hearing time: 58:24). Testifying in support: representatives of PSESD, Medical Lake SD, Children’ s Campaign Fund, WSA Head Start & ECEAP and the VLC. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5918: which would increase allocations for materials, supplies, and operating costs by $100 per student or $100,000 per school district, whichever is greater, beginning in the 2026-27 school year (hearing time: 49:15). Testifying in support: representatives from the Renton Education Assoc, CAC, WASBO, WASA, WSSDA, WSPTA, Rural Ed Center, Shoreline PTA Council, Highline PS, Shoreline PS, Chewelah SD, LWSD, Olympia SD, PSE, Lake Chelan SD, OSPI and several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WCAUT. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5951: which requires the Secretary of Health to issue a statewide standing order to schools or school districts prescribing albuterol for any student or individual experiencing respiratory symptoms (hearing time: 1:15:46). Testifying in support: representatives from WSNA, and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5952: which would direct WSSDA and OSPI to develop a standardized process, including a template form, for excusing individual high school students from participating in physical education in accordance with state law (hearing time: 59:09). Testifying in support: representatives from the SBE, several concerned citizens. Testifying in opposition: representatives from SHAPE WA, and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5956: which prohibits certain decisions related to student discipline and school safety based on automated decision systems, school surveillance technology, biometric data, and facial recognition services. This bill would direct OSPI to update its guidance on artificial intelligence in K-12 education to address automated decision systems and school surveillance technologies (hearing time: 32:38). Testifying in support: representatives from the BESR and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 5961: a companion bill to HB 2371, this bill would transfer the imagination library program from the department of children, youth, and families to the office of the superintendent of public instruction (hearing time 1:23:40). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and the Imagination Library Program. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5969: which would allow students with a required Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition plan to elect for their transition plan to fulfill the high school and beyond plan requirements (hearing time: 1:34:22). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, and the Communities of Schools in WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from The Arc of King County, the SBE, LWSD, and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5992: which would create a non-appropriated, youth development fund account and authorize the Superintendent of Public Instruction to distribute grant funding from the account to certain entities to support youth development programs (hearing time: 00:34). Testifying in support: representatives from the YDST, Girl on the Run PS, Justice for Girls Coalition, Mentor WA, CIS, Colville Tribes, Arts Corps, DNR and several high school students. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6052: which would authorize the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative to develop a statewide digital transcript file standard and a secure, platform-independent environment for the exchange of transcript data between school districts, charter schools, state-tribal education compact schools, and postsecondary institutions (hearing time: 8:44).Testifying in support: representatives from EWU, The Council of Presidents, Independent Colleges of WA, OSPI, WSIPC, Edmonds SD, Auburn SD and a concerned citizen. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6089: which aims to increase coordination and alignment among state agencies, educational institutions, and workforce partners across the education continuum (hearing time: 14:00). Testifying in support: representatives from LEV, WA STEM, Independent Colleges of WA, Communities in our Colleges, PSESD, WA Student Assoc. and The Children’s Alliance. Testifying as “other:” representatives of the WEA, OSPI and SBCTC. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6118: a companion bill to HB 2549, which would require each school district to develop a cardiac emergency response plan for each school within the district and for each athletic facility on the school campus. The bill requires that these cardiac emergency response plans must include designating a cardiac emergency response team and designating locations for the installation of automated external defibrillators throughout campus (hearing time: 1:01:27).Testifying in support: several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6130: a companion bill to HB 2341, which directs public high schools to observe National Voter Registration Day each September and to coordinate voter registration events on National Voter Registration Day (hearing time: 00:37). Testifying in support: representatives from King County Elections, Pierce County Auditors’ Office, OSPI, YLAC and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6222: which allows school districts and educational service districts to sell surplus computer laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices or equipment at depreciated cost to public school students (hearing time: 1:42).Testifying in support: representatives from Issaquah SD and several high school students. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6247: which directs educational service districts (ESDs) to provide additional budget oversight and support to school districts that are in binding conditions or showing indicators of financial distress. The bill also directs the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to provide governance training regarding district budgeting, accounting, and financial health, and requires school directors to complete the training (hearing time: 18:04). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and AESDs. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA and the WEA. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6260: which requires OSPI to withhold up to 1.9 percent of 9-12 grade materials, supplies, and operating cost allocations for the provision of licenses to the universal online high school and beyond plan platform, and prohibits such allocations from being used for OSPI staff salaries or benefits. The bill also reduces the funded maximum enrollment for Running Start students to 1.2 full-time equivalents (FTE), rather than 1.4 FTE (hearing time: 57:25). Testifying in support: representatives from the OFM. Testifying in opposition: representatives from OSPI, Grays Harbor College, Lake Washington School District, Clover Park Technical College, SBCTC, Yakima Valley College, Whatcom CC, Pierce College Puyallup, Big Bend CC, The Rural Ed Center and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 6268: which would require OSPI to maintain an online record of all final decisions issued in response to special education community complaints in the prior 20 years (hearing time: 38:50).Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, Washington Autism Alliance, The Arc of WA and several concerned citizens. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

SB 6278: which would require the PESB ongoing review of approved educator preparation programs to include program standards, educator role standards, evidence submitted by programs, and input from community constituents such as classroom educators and administrators (hearing time: 50:21). Testifying as “other:” representatives from the PESB. The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

Odds and Ends

The return to analog. “they are journaling, and they are constantly and consistently doing everything with a pen or a pencil.” From NPR Education, “To Keep AI out of her Classroom, this High School English Teacher went Analog.”

Tutoring and reading scores. What San Francisco is doing to get kids reading at grade level. San Francisco Schools Expand Tutoring Program to get Students Reading at Grade Level.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, January 30, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 29, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy Friday folks! The first cut-off of the 2026 legislative session is rapidly approaching. Next Wednesday, February 4th, is the policy committee House of Origin cut-off date. This means both education policy committees need to have heard, voted and passed bills out of committee, and into their respective rules or fiscal committees, by end of day Wednesday. Fiscal committees will have additional time to pass bills onto the opposite house, with their cut-off date scheduled Monday, February 9.

On Tuesday, the Senate’s Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee heard testimony on SB 6260, co-sponsored by the committee’s chair, Lisa Wellman. This bill was one of several put forth by Governor Ferguson in his supplemental budget proposal. SB 6260 not only makes significant cuts to Running Start funded enrollment, but withholds a percentage of 9-12 grade materials, supplies and operating cost allocations for the provisions of the high school and beyond plan platform and would also extend bus depreciation to 15 years. The bill remains overwhelmingly unpopular, and drew testimony from numerous community colleges across the state who showed up to voice their disapproval during the committee hearing that lasted nearly two hours.

On Wednesday, Senator and Ed Committee Chair, Lisa Wellman, held another hearing on a bill she co-sponsored that again drew wide criticism. SB 6261, “the homeschool bill,” is similar to one that she sponsored in the past, however it does not aim to lower the compulsory attendance requirements. Nevertheless, it appears to be just as unpopular. The bill would require homeschool parents to sign a declaration of intent, by child’s age of 6, as to whether or not they will send their child to public school. The solo “pro” voice for the bill was State Superintendent Chris Reykdal, who appeared in person to submit testimony, highlighting the growing need for this bill given our shrinking public school numbers and how the state plans to allocate future school funds.

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, February 2nd @ 130pm
Tuesday, February 3rd @ 4pm

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, February 3rd @ 8am
Wednesday, February 4th @ 1030am

New Bills this Week

HB 2649: which would require immediate law enforcement notification of criminal actions on public school property.

HB 2666: which would identify African American studies curricula for students in grades seven through 12.

SB 6299: which concerns artificial intelligence and instructional staff.

SB 6300: which authorizes school districts to adopt alternative learning standards.

House Bills We’re Following

HB 2246: which would allow school districts that discipline a student for a firearm-related violation to deny or limit the student’s return to the school and, or to prohibit/ limit the student’s participation in or attendance at extracurricular or other activities. This bill also gives the power to school boards regarding initial and final decisions regarding suspension or expulsion (hearing time: 3:10). Testifying as “other”: representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Teen Child.

HB 2557: which would require a school district to provide the student’s parent or guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report at least five school days before the meeting at which the report will be reviewed or the student’s eligibility for services will be determined, unless the parent or guardian provides a written waiver of this timeline (hearing time: 36:43). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI, WSPTA and Lake Washington SD.Testifying in opposition: representatives of WSASP and several concerned citizens.

Senate Bills We’re Following

SB 5849: which would make financial education a graduation requirement in Washington State. Scheduled for public hearing on February 4th at 1030am.

SB 5859: which adds language regarding competency-based assessment to certain graduation pathways (hearing time 39:34). Testifying in support: representatives from Pearson and EDEXCEL. Testifying as “other:” representatives from AWSP and SBE.

SB 5969: which would allow students with a required Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition plan to elect for their transition plan to fulfill the high school and beyond plan requirements (hearing time: 134:22). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, and the Communities of Schools in WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from The Arc of King County, the SBE, LWSD, and a concerned citizen.

SB 6042: which would require all safe school plans to include school maps that are available to first responder agencies (hearing time: 1:26:38). Testifying in support: representatives from the Freeman SD, Gig Harbor Police Dept, Critical Response Group, GEOCON and a concerned citizen.

SB 6051: which would authorize school district boards of directors to grant waivers or partial waivers of state laws and rules to individual schools, within limits and according to a certain process (hearing time: 1:27 and 39:46). Testifying in support: a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WASA and WSSDA. Testifying in opposition: representatives from the WEA, OSPI, and the SBE.

SB 6122: which would update the state’s distribution formula with the aim of increasing school district flexibility in expenditure of basic education funding.

SB 6125: which would provide that if a local education agency’s combined state revenue generated in the 2026-27 or 2027-28 school year is less than what its combined state revenue would be using 2025-26 enrollment values, then OSPI must provide an enrollment stabilization amount equal to the difference (hearing time: 1:32:43). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, and the Olympia SD.

SB 6192: which would authorize each ESD to select six high-performing teachers each year to receive an ongoing annual bonus of between $10,000 and $20,000 and instructs school districts to implement a structured literacy program as well as a structured numeracy program, and would require elementary schools to take certain steps, including meeting with parents and guardians and implementing an intensive improvement strategy, for elementary students who score below grade level on third-grade statewide mathematics assessments (hearing time: 6:50 and 35:59). Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI and the AESD. Testifying in opposition: representatives from WEA, and several concerned citizens.

SB 6247: which directs educational service districts (ESDs) to provide additional budget oversight and support to school districts that are in binding conditions or showing indicators of financial distress. The bill also directs the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) to provide governance training regarding district budgeting, accounting, and financial health, and requires school directors to complete the training (hearing time: 18:04). Testifying in support: representatives from OSPI and AESDs. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA and the WEA.

SB 6261: which requires parents who do not enroll their children in public or private school at age six to file a signed declaration with the local school district during the school years the children turn six and seven. The bill specifies that the declaration should include if they are planning to, or currently receiving, home-based instruction or planning to enroll in public or private school (hearing time: 24:05). Testifying in support: the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Testifying in opposition: representatives from the Washington Homeschool Assoc, and several concerned citizens.

SB 6278: which would require the PESB ongoing review of approved educator preparation programs to include program standards, educator role standards, evidence submitted by programs, and input from community constituents such as classroom educators and administrators (hearing time: 50: 21). Testifying as “other:” representatives from the PESB.

Odds and Ends

I debated whether to go into more details regarding two controversial initiatives that are likely to end up on the November ballot. I decided to include them in the “odds and ends,” section as Washington Democrats have said they will not hold hearings on them and the House Education Committee on Thursday denied the motion by Republicans to hear testimony on the initiatives. From The Seattle Times, WA Initiative to Bar Trans Girls from Sports will likely go to Voters, AND WA Voters Could Revise Parental ‘Bill of Rights,’ this November.

Games are more fun! This week from Edutopia, Using Board Games to Strengthen Literacy Skills.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, January 23, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 23, 2026
Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy | education, education reform, equity, Legislature, teaching

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, many of us enjoyed Monday off. However, lawmakers in Olympia were hard at work. The House Education Committee held a public hearing on Monday, touching on topics ranging from firearm policy to expanding access of albuterol in public schools. The pace of the shorter sessions are striking, and the compressed time period results in a sort of frantic feel. In even years, out of necessity, legislators must get bills scheduled, heard and passed out of committee by the first cut-off date: Wednesday, February 4th. That means long hours for legislators and lots of behind-the-scenes work: crafting amendments and wrapping up negotiations. After that first cut off, policy committee members must hope that their fiscal counterparts will also see the import of their bill in order to keep it alive and moving steadily towards the governor’s desk.

On the supplemental budget front, Governor Ferguson is not getting much applause. According to Jerry Cornfield of the Washington State Standard, “In the course of six hours of public hearings over three days last week, dozens of people criticized the governor’s approach to closing a projected $2.3 billion shortfall.” The governor’s proposal to cap access to a coveted child care program and cut funding for public schools and colleges is leaving many in Olympia feeling low about what is to come. Jacqui Cain, president of the American Federation of Teachers in Washington, said across-the-board cuts would have “immediate consequences. Even modest cuts lead to hiring delays, fewer course offerings, and increased workloads.”

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, January 26 @ 130pm
Tuesday, January 27 @ 4pm
Thursday, January 29 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, January 27 @ 8am
Wednesday, January 28 @ 1030am
Thursday, January 29 @ 1030am

New Bills this Week

HB 2534: which works to support the educational stability for children of military families. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27 at 4pm.

HB 2557: which would provide parental access to special education evaluation reports. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27 at 4pm.

HB 2551: which aims to maintain the financial solvency of school districts.

HB 2594: which would work to ensure that unhoused children and youths in Washington have equal access to free, appropriate public education. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27 at 4pm.

HB 2636: which requires reviews of the performance, operations, and funding of the state’s public education system.

SB 6192: which concerns intervention and instruction in reading and mathematics. Scheduled for public hearing on Thursday, January 29th at 10:30am.

SB 6222: which aims to support public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware. Scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, January 28th at 10:30am.

SB 6260: which aims to improve efficiencies and programming changes in public education. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27th at 8am.

SB 6261: which required signed declarations of intent of school enrollment or home-based instruction. Scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, January 28th at 10:30am.

SB 6268: which would create and maintain an online record of special education complaint decisions. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27th at 8am.

SB 6278: which concerns the ongoing review of approved teacher and principal preparation programs. Scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, January 27th at 8am.

House Bills We’re Following

HB 1795: this bill would prohibit specified interventions, including chemical and mechanical restraint, and prohibits the construction of isolation rooms, while allowing physical restraint and isolation of students under certain conditions. The bill would also prohibit the isolation of students in prekindergarten through fifth grade beginning August 1, 2027, except under specified conditions and modifies requirements for incident notification, review, and reporting, behavioral intervention planning; and policies and procedures. The bill has passed out of committee.

HB 2007: which would expand opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options. Public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 29th at 8am.

HB 2116: which deals with updating school enrichment funding on a proportional basis.

HB 2138: which aims to increase student performance in literacy through the hiring of reading coaches and would require OSPI to update teacher endorsement standards for reading and literacy.

HB 2160: which concerns eligibility for membership in the school employees’ benefits board programs during the second school year of employment.

HB 2246: which would allow school districts that discipline a student for a firearm-related violation to deny or limit the student’s return to the school and, or to prohibit/ limit the student’s participation in or attendance at extracurricular or other activities. This bill also gives the power to school boards regarding initial and final decisions regarding suspension or expulsion (hearing time: 3:10). Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Teen Child.

HB 2282: which aims to support the implementation of transition to kindergarten programs.

HB 2366: a companion bill to SB 5860, which would increase the compensation amount for school board directors from $50 per day, to $100 per day and would add child care costs as a type of expense to be paid when directors attend school board meetings.

HB 2444: which seeks to require Washington state’s participation in the federal tax credit program for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations in the effort to expand school choice.

Senate Bills We’re Following

SB 5849: which would make financial education a graduation requirement in Washington State.

SB 5860: which would increase the compensation amount for school board directors from $50 per day, to $100 per day and would add child care costs as a type of expense to be paid when directors attend school board meetings (hearing time: 16:47). Testifying in support: representatives from South Sound Superintendents. Testifying in opposition: representatives from Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, and a concerned citizen. Testifying as “other:” representatives from WSSDA. The bill has passed out of committee and sent to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

SB 5969: which would allow students with a required Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition plan to elect for their transition plan to fulfill the high school and beyond plan requirements (hearing time: 134:22). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, and the Communities of Schools in WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from The Arc of King County, the SBE, LWSD, and a concerned citizen.

SB 6118: a companion bill to HB 2549, which would require cardiac emergency response plans in schools. Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th at 10:30am.

SB 6122: which would update the state’s distribution formula with the aim of increasing school district flexibility in expenditure of basic education funding.

SB 6125: which would provide enrollment stabilization funding. Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th at 10:30am.

SB 6130: a companion bill to HB 2341, which would align Washington state with national civic engagement activities by celebrating national voter registration day. Public hearing scheduled on Tuesday, January 27th at 8am.

Odds and Ends

Time spent on phones during school continues to increase, a new study finds. From The Seattle Times’ Education Lab, UW Study Sheds Light on Student Phone Use During School.

Literacy and struggling secondary students. “What do I do when my student is three or four grade levels behind?” From EducationWeek, Secondary Students are Struggling with Reading Too. A Look at the Landscape.

CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator

Legislative Update: Friday, January 16, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 16, 2026
Education, Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Written by Samantha Miller

Happy Friday folks! The official start of the 2026 Legislative Session began on Monday, January 12th. This session will run approximately 60 days, with Sine Die scheduled for Thursday, March 12th. 2026 marks the country’s 250th anniversary, and as the gavel came down opening ceremonies commenced. However, there is anticipation that this session might be one marked by party tension. Democratic Senate Leader, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck began remarks with a plea for “grace and respect,” among lawmakers. Heck told senators: “All the work to sustain democracy, all the sacrifices required for democracy, would ultimately be worthwhile. We are confident that it will become self-evident at the end of our 60 days together. So let’s get started.”

And start they did. The House Education Committee hit the ground running on Tuesday, with a work session on student mental health and well being, as well as a public hearing on HB 1634, which is a bill first introduced in the 2025 session. HB 1634, pertains to the creation of statewide sustainable and comprehensive behavioral supports in public schools. The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee held public hearings on a slew of bills as well as passing bills out of committee with an executive session. With the session only 60 days, lawmakers feel the pressure to get moving as soon as possible.

Tuesday also brought with it Governor Ferguson’s first State of the State address. This is the Governor’s second address to the legislature, and in it he did not choose to mention the “looming multi-budget shortfall.” Addressing this shortfall, “is arguably the most important and difficult task that he and lawmakers face in the 60-day session,” writes Jerry Cornfield of the Washington State Standard. Governor Ferguson did speak to his proposed “wealth tax,” and in what form that revenue would go back into the pockets of Washingtonians. One such proposal is to expand eligibility for and increase the amount of the Working Families Tax Credit, possibly giving a portion of this to the K-12 Public School System.

However, according to The Seattle Times, “The state’s budget deficit also means that any education policy that costs the state money will face an uphill battle this year.” Ferguson has already proposed cutting about 1,800 slots in the Transition to Kindergarten program for 4-year-olds, a move that concerns Larry Delaney, president of the Washington Education Association (WEA). Delaney told lawmakers on Monday that the Transition to Kindergarten programs “are instrumental in boosting students’ social, emotional and academic preparedness as they enter kindergarten.”

Committee Meetings Next Week on tvw.org

House Education Committee:

Monday, January 19 @ 130pm
Tuesday, January 20 @ 4pm
Thursday, January 22 @ 8am

Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee:

Tuesday, January 20 @ 8am
Wednesday, January 21 @ 1030am
Thursday, January 22 @ 1030am

House Bills:

SSHB 1634: which establishes a network of statewide and regional partners to provide school districts and public schools with the technical assistance, resources, and training necessary to coordinate comprehensive student supports across the behavioral health continuum (hearing time: 1:18:47). Testified in support: representatives from Washington Thriving, NCESD, WSPTA, WSASP, OSPI, North Thurston SD, several concerned citizens and a student from the Mercer Island SD. Testified in opposition: representatives from CCHR. Executive session scheduled for Thursday, January 22nd at 8am.

HB 2116: which deals with updating school enrichment funding on a proportional basis.

HB 2147: a companion bill to SB 5918, this bill would provide funding for school supplies, materials and operating costs.

HB 2138: which aims to increase student performance in literacy through the hiring of reading coaches and would require OSPI to update teacher endorsement standards for reading and literacy.

HB 2142: which would replace statutory references to alternative learning experiences with remote and hybrid learning. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th at 4pm.

HB 2160: which concerns eligibility for membership in the school employees’ benefits board programs during the second school year of employment.

HB 2246: which would update policies for elementary and secondary school students with firearm violations and include terms of suspension and expulsion. Public hearing scheduled for Monday, January 19th at 1:30pm.

HB 2262: which would address civics education in regards to cursive instruction and producing legible signatures.

HB 2282: which aims to support the implementation of transition to kindergarten programs.

HB 2328: which would require the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans.

HB 2360: which would expand access to albuterol in public and private schools. Public hearing scheduled for Monday, January 19th at 1:30pm.

HB 2369: which promotes the use of local foods in public schools. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20th at 4pm.

HB 2432: which aims to support public school students by improving their access to surplus technology hardware.

HB 2484: a companion bill to SB 5992, which would create the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs.

Senate Bills:

SB 5849: which would make financial education a graduation requirement in Washington State.

SB 5859: which would expand opportunities for competency-based assessments in graduation pathway options. Public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 222 at 10:30am.

SB 5861: which would change the voter requirements of school board elections in order to encourage community representation in education. Public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 222 at 10:30am.

SB 5907: which would expand access to the early childhood education and assistance program for military families. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 5918: which supports allocated additional funding for school materials, supplies, and operating costs to school districts. Public hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 21 at 10:30am.

SB 5951: which addresses the issue of access to albuterol in public and private schools. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 5969: which would allow students with a required Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition plan to elect for their transition plan to fulfill the high school and beyond plan requirements (hearing time: 134:22). Testifying in support: representatives from the WEA, and the Communities of Schools in WA. Testifying as “other:” representatives from OSPI. Testifying in opposition: representatives from The Arc of King County, the SBE, LWSD, and a concerned citizen.

SB 5992: which would create the youth development fund account to increase access to positive youth development programs. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 6042: which would require the creation and maintenance of school maps in safe school plans. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 6051: which aims to provide flexibility to school districts by authorizing school district waivers. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 6052: which would establish a statewide digital transcript data-sharing environment. Public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 20 at 8am.

SB 6065: which concerns school district transportation vehicle funds. Public hearing scheduled for Thursday, January 222 at 10:30am.

SB 6122: which would update the state’s distribution formula with the aim of increasing school district flexibility in expenditure of basic education funding.

SB 6130: a companion bill to HB 2341, which would align Washington state with national civic engagement activities by celebrating national voter registration day.

Odds and Ends

“If you’re looking for a good math teacher, you’re probably looking for somebody who’s exposing their students to more mathematical vocabulary.” From KQED’s MindShift Podcast, Words Matter: Teachers who Use Math Vocabulary Help Students do Better in Math.

Weighing the risks of AI. This week from NPR Education, This Risks of AI in Schools Outweigh the Benefits.

Pre-Session Update: January 9, 2026

Posted by CSTP Staff on January 9, 2026
Education, Education Policy | districts, education, education reform, Legislature, teaching

Happy New Year! We are back and ready to keep you updated on the ins-and-outs of this year’s legislative session. The official start of the 2026 Washington State Legislative session is Monday, January 12th. Washington State’s legislative cycles are two years in length and within that cycle there are two types of sessions: regular and short. 2026 will be a short session, lasting roughly 60 days, as opposed to the 2025 session that lasted 105 days. With shorter sessions, it helps to keep in mind that bills introduced in year one of a legislative cycle remain alive and carryover into year two of that legislative cycle. That being said, be prepared for new discussion around bills that were introduced last session.

In shorter sessions, the legislature’s main focus is to pass the current biennium’s supplemental capital, operational, and transportation budgets. Simone Carter’s article, in The Olympian, explains this system well. “In Washington State, biennial budgets are adopted during 105-day legislative sessions in odd-numbered years, and updates are made to those budgets through supplemental budgets, which are typically produced every year and help fix certain shifts, such as changes in expected revenue or school enrollment.”

Governor Bob Ferguson released his proposed supplemental budgets at the end of December. His spending plan makes adjustments to the two-year budget Ferguson signed in May and that took effect July 1. Unfortunately, his budget “halts a planned increase in per-pupil funding for school districts that struggle to raise money from local levies due to lower property values. And he proposes capping signups for the Working Connections child care program and removing 1,816 slots for the Transition to Kindergarten program starting in the 2026-27 school year;” as reported in the Washington State Standard.

These cuts to public education drew fire from the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chris Reykdol. Reykdol said, “I reject the notion that in Washington, a state that is so deeply committed to opportunity, our only choice is to cut public services because fair taxation isn’t possible.” Read his full statement here.

Washington lawmakers begin pre-filing bills at the beginning of December, however, expect a slew of bills to hit next Monday for the start of the session. Legislators are also preparing for the possibility that two controversial initiatives may come before them over the next coming months. IL26-001, if enacted, would repeal changes that legislators made last year to an earlier Let’s Go Washington initiative that codified rights for parents of public school children. The other initiative, IL26-638, seeks to block transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports. According to the Washington State Standard, “Both measures are initiatives to the Legislature, meaning they would go before lawmakers for consideration in the session that begins Jan. 12. The secretary of state’s office will now verify the submitted signatures to confirm the initiatives can move forward.”

Odds and Ends

Is a four day school week the answer to district attendance woes? From the Washington State Standard, “4-Day School Weeks are Growing in Popularity, Despite the Lack of Data on the Effects.”

“Washington is leaning into using AI in the classroom. The goal: to embrace the inevitable…” from The Olympian, WA Education Leaders are all-in on Using AI in the Classroom. Why?

Meet CSTP’s Legislative Update Coordinator Samantha Miller

Samantha has degrees in both Political Science and History, as well as a Master in Teaching. Samantha has worked in Elementary Education for 8 years, most recently as a 3rd Grade general education teacher. The majority of her time is spent chasing around her two children who keep her very busy. Samantha enjoys running, working in her yard, listening to political podcasts, and spending time with her family.