Funding our future

Creating a formula for 21st century education investments

Much like Washington families, school districts are constantly updating their budgets to address evolving needs and priorities. Changes in population, academic standards, and the global economy require new investments in academic programs and school facilities.

Washington’s education funding formula must continually evolve, too, so that schools have the resources they need to prepare students to compete in the global economy. School security, student transportation, technology training, and cutting-edge math and science curriculum are just some of the necessities that have emerged since the current funding formula was created. Senate Democrats are meeting this challenge head-on, and recently passed a bipartisan bill to craft a new funding formula to build on the work of Washington Learns, and create a world-class, learner focused, seamless education system.

Washington Learns is an 18-month comprehensive study of our state’s education system chaired by Gov. Chris Gregoire. The Washington Learns committee laid out a new vision for education in our state, in which early learning, K-12, and higher education work together seamlessly to prepare students to compete and succeed in an ever-evolving job market. To make this vision a reality, the committee recommended the creation of a K-12 funding system that is performance-based, accountable to taxpayers and funded by a stable budget source.

Senate Democrats worked across the aisle to pass Senate Bill 5267, which would create a committee of finance and education policy experts to craft a new formula. The committee would work throughout 2007, and present recommendations to the 2008 Legislature. The new formula would ensure that education investments meet the needs of a 21st century education system, and are made in a transparent and accountable manner.

Senate Democrats also passed a bipartisan bill to revamp school transportation funding, Senate Bill 5114. Some districts receive less funding than others under the current model, and this bill would help reduce the burden on local districts and taxpayers, and allow districts to concentrate on other priorities.

These new funding formulas would help make the vision of Washington Learns a reality – a world-class, learner focused, seamless education system that prepares students to compete in the global economy. To learn more about this and other Senate Democratic education initiatives, please visit our Early Learning, K-12, and Higher Education Web pages.