The Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS)
In a monumental and historic victory for the students and citizens of Washington, the Washington State Supreme Court today ruled unanimously that the State of Washington is violating its constitutional paramount duty to amply fund the education of all K-12 students. Read more.
Read a summary of the Supreme Court ruling or view a presentation about the historic case.
NEWS' 392 members now include 189 school districts representing 87% of Washington's public school students. If your school district or community organization is not yet part of our coalition, learn about NEWS membership now!
READ about the Feb. 4, 2010, court ruling declaring the State's funding of K-12 education unconstitutional.
NEWS is a coalition of 380+ community organizations, school districts and education associations representing thousands of voters, parents, teachers and other concerned citizens who believe the kids of our state deserve a first class K-12 education. Plagued with a long-outdated state funding system that fails to fully fund even the basic elements of a high quality 21st century education, NEWS filed a lawsuit asking the courts to order the State of Washington to live up to its paramount constitutional duty to make ample provision for the education of all Washington children.
The seven-week trial in the NEWS court case concluded on Oct. 21, 2009, in King County Superior Court. On Feb. 4, 2010, Judge John Erlick ruled the State in violation of its constitutionally mandated “paramount duty” to amply provide for the education of all children. The court ordered the State to determine the actual costs of providing all children with the knowledge and skills set forth in the State’s high academic standards and to fully fund that actual cost with stable and dependable State sources. The State of Washington appealed the ruling, and a hearing on that appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court was heard on June 28, 2011.
Read Judge Erlick's final judgment.
Read a summary of the decision.
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