Education

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2534: Promoting educational stability for children of military families.

HB 2534 (Promoting educational stability for children of military families) helps military-connected children enroll in Washington schools more smoothly when their families relocate due to military orders. It allows schools to accept enrollment applications before the child arrives in Washington, using military orders as proof of relocation (e.g., transfers to WA or bordering states, deployments), and requires parents to provide documentation within 90 days. The bill ensures schools transfer special education plans (like IEPs or 504 plans) from previous states and provide comparable services without delay. This directly affects military families moving to Washington and public school districts handling their enrollments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines enrollment for military-connected students, improving access to K-12 education during relocations without barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Washington · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2557: Providing parental access to special education evaluation reports.

HB 2557 requires Washington school districts to provide parents of children in special education with written evaluation reports at least five school days before eligibility meetings, ensuring they can review the reports and prepare questions in advance. The bill sets a 35-school-day timeline for completing evaluations and delivering reports, with meetings scheduled no sooner than five days after report delivery. It mandates reports be provided in accessible written or electronic formats (not just during meetings) and allows parents to voluntarily waive the five-day review period in writing. Failure to provide reports on time without a waiver constitutes a procedural violation that could be considered in disputes over parental participation rights. The law directly affects parents, school districts, and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, which must update guidance and rules to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to provide parents special education evaluation reports 5 days before meetings, enhancing parental involvement and access to educational decisions in K-12 special education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5637: Promoting student access to information about media literacy and civic education.

Senate Bill 5637 updates the mandatory one-half credit civics course for high school students in Washington state. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, this course will expand to include instruction on voter registration, media literacy related to elections and misinformation, and how individuals can influence public policy. The bill requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to identify and provide nonpartisan educational materials for these new topics by September 2025. OSPI will also review these resources every five years to ensure they remain relevant. This legislation aims to enhance students' critical thinking skills regarding information and civic engagement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands mandatory civics curriculum to include media literacy, voter registration, and policy influence, enhancing student education on civic engagement and access to information.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5235: Repealing and reorganizing outdated statutes concerning public schools.

Senate Bill 5235 aims to update and streamline laws related to public schools in Washington State. It repeals several outdated statutes and reorganizes others to modernize the legal framework for education. The bill amends existing laws concerning how high schools can use funds for dropout prevention, updating accepted activities to align with current "high school and beyond plans." Additionally, it modifies provisions for school meal programs, allowing school facilities to provide meals at cost to children in certain private educational programs and private school students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates school funding rules for dropout prevention and aligns curriculum activities with modern 'high school and beyond plans,' improving operational support for education systems.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5570: Supporting public school instruction in tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes.

SB 5570 aims to enhance public school instruction on tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes across Washington state. It strengthens the Office of Native Education within the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to assist school districts in developing and implementing this curriculum, including providing professional development. School districts must incorporate the "Since Time Immemorial" curriculum, consulting with local and neighboring tribes, by September 1, 2026. The bill also establishes annual monitoring by the State Board of Education to ensure school district compliance, with reports to the legislature until 2029.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates tribal sovereignty curriculum implementation, strengthens Native education office, requires district consultation with tribes - directly advances educational content standards in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5327: Concerning learning standards and graduation requirements.

SB 5327 directs the State Board of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to review and update learning standards and graduation requirements concerning computer science and financial education for K-12 students. The State Board of Education must recommend adjustments to high school graduation requirements to ensure students can demonstrate foundational skills in these subjects, considering various credit and competency options. Concurrently, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will update K-12 computer science learning standards and review financial education standards. The bill also requires the State Board to collect information from school districts on their current offerings and implementation needs for these subjects, and clarifies that school districts must provide all high school students opportunities to access financial education learning standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects updates to computer science/financial education standards and graduation requirements to ensure foundational skills, strengthening curriculum content for K-12 students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5663: Establishing a virtual campus for all Washingtonians.

SB 5663 allows Washington community and technical colleges to advertise their entirely online course offerings to potential students statewide, beyond their traditional district boundaries. Colleges can use various methods, including digital advertising and direct mail, to distribute information about these online courses. The bill also permits colleges to inform their local citizens about online programs offered exclusively by neighboring districts. However, it explicitly states that community and technical colleges are not allowed to compete with each other or other higher education institutions for student enrollment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling community colleges to advertise online courses statewide, increasing opportunity for all Washingtonians to access higher education programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables digital advertising of online courses, expanding access to virtual education and supporting digital equity through technology adoption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5542: Expanding tuition waivers for high school completers at community and technical colleges.

Senate Bill 5542 expands eligibility for tuition waivers at community and technical colleges in Washington state. The bill removes the current age requirement, which states students must be nineteen years or older, to receive these waivers. This change allows any resident-eligible student enrolled in a program to complete their high school education at a community or technical college to potentially receive a full or partial tuition waiver, regardless of their age.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves age barrier for tuition waivers at community colleges, expanding educational access for all eligible high school completers regardless of age.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5193: Supporting remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs.

Senate Bill 5193 supports remote testing options for students enrolled in online school programs in Washington state, directly affecting these students, their families, and participating school districts. Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, school districts with online programs may offer students the ability to complete statewide assessments remotely. To implement this, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) must develop or update assessment administration and security policies by April 1, 2027. These policies will cover requirements for testing personnel, student-to-proctor ratios, remote testing environments, device and network specifications, and parental consent. The bill aims to reduce burdens on families and ensure equitable access to assessments for online learners.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables remote testing for online students, expanding access to statewide assessments without restricting options, aligning with enhanced educational access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5297: Concerning the early learning facilities grant and loan program.

SB 5297 modifies the early learning facilities grant and loan program, which supports facilities providing care for children aged one month through 12 years. The bill renames the program's accounts and clarifies their uses, including funding for early childhood education and assistance programs. It removes the mandatory matching fund requirement for applicants experiencing financial hardship and introduces emergency grants for facilities affected by natural disasters or health and safety threats. The bill also expands eligibility to include Tribal compact schools and allows the Department of Commerce to contract with private-public partnerships to administer grants and loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves financial barriers for facilities, adds emergency grants, and clarifies funding for early childhood education programs serving children 1 month-12 years.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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