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In the ongoing debate over education spending in Washington state, some special interest groups continue to argue that schools are underfunded.  These special interests never define the dollar amount they think the people of Washington should spend on schools.  The proposed number constantly shifts and changes, always in the upward direction and by billions of dollars.  No matter how much the people of Washington provide for public schools, according to these political activists, it is never enough.

To outside observers, these special interest groups appear narrow-minded and insensitive.  Activists give no credit to hardworking taxpayers who each budget cycle provide $4.5 billion in local levy funds to public schools, plus another $2.1 billion in federal funds.

Political demands for more money also regularly omit mention of the current state budget, which now supplies $18.2 billion to K-12 schools, the highest amount in state history.  These demands belittle historic spending increases enacted by state lawmakers of both parties, particularly the $4.6 billion increase in state spending supplied by taxpayers in the last four years, a 34 percent permanent expansion to the state program of basic education.

Average school funding from all sources is now at the all-time high of $12,652 per student, more than the tuition charged by many private schools.

Key Findings

1.  The legislature has increased education spending by 34 percent ($4.6 billion) in four years, to the highest spending level ever.

2.  Public school funding is at the all-time high of $12,652 per student, more than the tuition at many private schools.

3.  Yet higher spending has resulted in no measurable improvement in student learning in math and reading.

4.  The primary obstacle to improvements for students is the political influence of executives at the WEA union.

5.  The experience of other states indicates that Washington school children would benefit from greater access to educational choice.

 Click here to Download the full Legislative Memo