Washington takes historic step toward full funding for special education

Washington lawmakers are poised to make a transformative change in special education funding by eliminating a cap that many argue has strained school finances and harmed students. On a unanimous 97-0 vote, the House passed Senate Bill 5263, committing to fully fund special education services in public schools for the first time. This bill will channel an additional $870 million into special education over the next two budgets, although this figure falls short of the Senate's proposed $2 billion. Advocates like Rep. Gerry Pollet hailed the cap's removal as a historic achievement, emphasizing the moral and constitutional imperatives of adequately supporting students with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Rep. Travis Couture, a parent of three children with individualized education plans, noted that this move represents a crucial step toward comprehensive funding. In conjunction with this, the House also passed a bill to increase operational funding for schools, although some lawmakers criticized the amount as inadequate. The legislation signifies a commitment to closing the funding gap that has forced districts to rely heavily on local levy receipts for special education. Overall, these initiatives reflect a growing recognition of the importance of equitable education for all students in Washington.