Washington’s Commitment to Education: Falling Short
Approximately 1,000 PTA members, students, parents, educators and leaders from school districts across the Seattle Eastside—including Lake Washington, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Issaquah and others—came together in a strong showing at a town hall on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Sammamish High School, to seek answers and demand solutions to the severe shortfall in the state’s education funding. State legislators from area legislative districts were joined by Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal to discuss funding concerns hear directly from the attendees. [Watch reports on King5 News and KOMO News.]
Washington state is constitutionally mandated to provide adequate education, yet it continues to fall short in delivering on this promise. Despite being the 4th wealthiest state per capita in the country, Washington lags significantly in education funding, creating a critical challenge for our schools and students.
Key Statistics That Demand Attention
- Public Education Budget: Education receives only 3.1% of the state’s budget, compared to the national average of 3.6%.
- Funding Decline: Inflation-adjusted funding per student has dropped by $1,000 between 2018 and 2023.
- State Budget Deficit: A projected $10 billion to $12 billion deficit in the next legislative cycle further threatens education funding.
Critical Issues Facing Public Education
- Special Education Shortfall
Washington funds only 74% of mandated special education costs, leaving a $590 million gap. This deficit is often covered by pulling resources from general education, negatively impacting all students. - Educator Pay Gap
Washington educators earn 28% less than recent state graduates with a bachelor’s degree. This disparity affects recruitment, retention and the quality of education. - Rising Operating Costs
Essential costs such as insurance and transportation continue to increase without proportional funding adjustments, straining school budgets.
Call to Action: Your Advocacy Is Needed!
Our community must rally together to demand better resource allocation for education. Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Send a Letter to Legislators: Urge policymakers to prioritize education funding. Take action now. Find your legislators here.
- Educate Yourself on the Issues:
• Learn about revenue allocation challenges.
• Understand the implications of the state’s budget deficit.
Together, we can ensure that Washington lives up to its constitutional promise and provides every child with the quality education they deserve. Let’s work to close the gaps and build a stronger future for our students.
Photos from Eastside Town Hall courtesy of Zahra Eslami. All rights reserved.