From Seattletimes · · 1m 10s
WA must return to its paramount duty: K-12 education
Washington state faces education funding crisis as it risks losing national top performance in math and reading.
In brief
Washington state faces education funding crisis as it risks losing national top performance in math and reading. Washington state must prioritize K-12 education funding to maintain national student performance leadership. Originally reported by Seattletimes.
Student performance trends
Student performance on traditional assessments in math and reading have been declining globally for nearly 20 years.
Washington's current standing
Washington students outperform peers nationally in reading and math but risk falling behind as 14 states now outperform us in eighth grade math.
Constitutional duty
Kindergarten through 12th-grade education is the state’s constitutional paramount duty that must come before all other obligations.
Funding gap
State investment has increased in nominal dollars but not kept pace with inflation or student needs.
District financial strain
11 school districts receive state financial oversight while dozens more face budget shortfalls.
Resource diversion
Districts divert local levy funds for innovation to cover gaps in basic education funding.
Legal consequences
Washington state has faced two major lawsuits over basic education funding in the last 45 years.
In short
Washington state must prioritize K-12 education funding to maintain national student performance leadership.
