Education (Curriculum) in Washington

in committee · Washington · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 5574: Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools.

SB 5574 requires Washington public schools to teach Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history as part of social studies curriculum. Starting in the 2029-30 school year, all K-12 schools must include this history when aligned with state standards, covering topics like community contributions to civil rights, local/regional history, and economic/cultural impacts. The bill mandates the state superintendent to develop learning standards and approved curricula by September 2028, with school districts reporting on implementation annually beginning in 2030. This applies to all public school students in Washington, directly affecting curriculum content and instructional practices across the state.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1925: Expanding secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation.

HB 1925 creates a state-funded program to expand secondary education pathways in natural resource and conservation careers for Washington students aged 14-17. The bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to select a qualified nonprofit partner to run a 90+ hour summer or after-school program combining classroom learning with work-integrated experiences at community sites. Participants earn high school credits, potential college dual credits, or industry-recognized credentials while learning through state standards, including environmental curriculum and natural resource competencies. The program prioritizes historically marginalized youth and schools in disadvantaged communities, aiming to connect students with family-wage careers in fields like forest management, restoration ecology, and renewable energy.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education Conservation Forestry

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1894: Supporting public school instruction in tribal sovereignty and federally recognized Indian tribes.

HB 1894 requires Washington public school districts to incorporate curriculum about the history, culture, and government of nearby federally recognized tribes into social studies by September 1, 2026, directly affecting all K-12 schools. It mandates districts to consult with tribes during curriculum updates and use the "John McCoy (lulilaš)" curriculum as a starting point. The bill creates an Office of Native Education within the superintendent’s office to support districts in developing these materials and requires annual monitoring of compliance starting in 2025-26. The law expires September 1, 2029, and requires districts to report on tribal collaborations and curriculum implementation.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5135: Concerning school districts' authority to establish their curriculum.

SB 5135 clarifies that school district boards of directors hold final authority over curriculum standards, evaluation systems for staff, and the review of teaching materials (like textbooks) upon parent complaints. It repeals a prior law requiring comprehensive sexual health education in schools. The bill mandates school boards to set curriculum standards based on district needs and annually report evaluation criteria for staff to the state superintendent. This directly affects Washington school districts, their boards, and parents who may request material reviews. The changes shift curriculum control to local boards while removing a specific state-mandated health education requirement.

Topics ✗ Education ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Curriculum

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5567: Expanding secondary training for careers in natural resources and conservation.

SB 5567 expands existing youth training programs in natural resource and conservation careers for Washington students aged 14-17, particularly targeting schools in disadvantaged communities. The bill requires the state to fund a nonprofit partner to run after-school or summer programs (minimum 90 hours, two-thirds work-based) that provide high school credits, dual college credit opportunities, or industry credentials in fields like forest management and water resource conservation. It mandates partnerships with employers to identify workforce needs and prioritize historically marginalized students, using state standards including Indigenous curriculum and environmental education. The program must track outcomes like graduation rates and report annually to the legislature on its effectiveness and funding use.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum Higher Education Conservation Forestry

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5134: Requiring public schools to commemorate the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent.

SB 5134 requires Washington public schools to dedicate time during January - designated as Chinese American/Americans of Chinese descent history month - for activities commemorating the contributions of Chinese Americans and Americans of Chinese descent. Starting September 1, 2025, school districts must incorporate lessons about the Chinese Exclusion Act and related historical events like the Tacoma method into their social studies curricula. Schools can use a free, state-developed curriculum created by the Washington State Historical Society and a nonprofit, or adapt it for local context. This bill directly affects all public school districts in Washington, mandating specific educational content about this community’s history and achievements.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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 ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5080: Making financial education instruction a graduation requirement.

Washington's SB 5080 requires all public high school students to complete financial education instruction to graduate, beginning with the 2033 class. School districts must provide courses aligned with existing state learning standards by the 2029-30 school year, offering flexible options like regular classes, online learning, or career programs. The bill mandates districts to submit implementation plans by December 2025 and allows individual waivers for students who moved to Washington after previous graduation requirements were met. This applies to all Washington public high schools, including charter and tribal schools, without creating new curriculum but making existing financial education standards a graduation requirement.

Topics ✓ Education

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

in committee · Washington · House Jan 12, 2026

HB 1134: Promoting resource conservation practices in public schools.

HB 1134 establishes a voluntary "Washington state green schools program" within the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to promote student-led resource conservation in public schools. The program provides limited stipend funding ($600 max per school annually) for school-based advisors to support student education and leadership in waste reduction, energy conservation, water efficiency, and urban forestry initiatives. Schools with over 50% of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals receive priority for funding, and the program aligns with state science curriculum standards on climate and sustainability. It is funded using revenues from the Climate Commitment Act and complements existing district conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Curriculum Energy Efficiency Conservation Forestry Recycling

All education bills