K12 Funding Equity Workgroup  

The 2025 Legislature passed House Bill 2049, which directs OSPI to gather and administer a workgroup around K-12 funding in Washington. The goal is to explore and suggest options for revising K-12 funding to more equitably and efficiently serve student needs. The workgroup will analyze several key issues:

• Impacts of recent changes to the state’s per-pupil funding model and local revenue;
• Compensation factors outlined in RCW 28A.150.412;The impact of the prototypical school funding formula on K-12 funding distribution;
• How economic disparities affect communities’ access to K-12 funding and resources; and
• Funding directed toward support the needs of specific student groups including the learning assistance program (LAP), local effort assistance (LEA), and funding for small schools. 

Workgroup Process

Workgroup membership must include representatives from various roles within the K-12 system and the larger K-12 community including groups representing educators, school and district administrators, labor unions, families, students, community partners, the Department of Revenue, and legislators. The progress and structure are outlined in this section. 

Phase 1

Phase I of this work (July, 2025 – December, 2025) will include an analysis of K-12 funding formulas and revenue sources and high-level discussions covering: 

• How are we defining an equitable funding model for K12 in Washington State? 
• What works in the current system? 
• What is not being addressed in the current system? 
• What options should be explored to address current weaknesses? 

Subgroups

Subgroups will be formed to go deeper into key focus areas including: 

• State, local, and regional needs; 
• Student weighting factors; 
• State and local revenue; and 
• Resource accountability and efficiency. 

Progress Reports

By November 1, 2025, and annually after that, OSPI must submit a report to the legislature outlining the workgroup’s progress, relevant data and information, and the agency’s recommendations. 

Authorizing Legislation  

HB 2049 (2025)