About School Funding

Despite the most strongly-worded constitutional mandate in the nation to put public education above all other issues, Washington State today is falling far short of providing the necessary dollars to prepare children to live and work in the 21st century.

How did Washington get to where we are today?

The Washington State Constitution says, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all students....” The State has a duty to provide for adequate funding for public education.

1889: Article IX of the Washington State Constitution states, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders…” No other state has a stronger education mandate in its constitution.

1974: Washington Supreme Court fails to rule school funding system unconstitutional in a case brought by the Northshore School District and other districts. The nine justices split into three different opinions.

Full Funding Coalition Report

The Full Funding Coalition issued a report in June 2008 outlining its proposals for improving K-12 funding, accountability and student performance. Coalition members include the Association of Washington Principals, Public School Employees, Washington Association of School Administrators, Washington Education Association and Washington State School Directors Association. The Coalition's report concluded: