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Funding K-12 Public Education in Washington State: Current conditions and future challenges

Funding K-12 Public Education in Washington State: Current conditions and future challenges. Marge Plecki, Associate Professor Educational Leadership and Policy Studies University of Washington Email: mplecki@u.washington.edu. Washington State Constitution of 1889.

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Funding K-12 Public Education in Washington State: Current conditions and future challenges

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  1. Funding K-12 Public Education in Washington State:Current conditions and future challenges Marge Plecki, Associate Professor Educational Leadership and Policy Studies University of Washington Email: mplecki@u.washington.edu

  2. Washington State Constitution of 1889 • Declared that it is the “paramount duty of the state to make ample provisions” for the education of all children residing in the state. • It also said: “the legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools.”

  3. Seattle v Washington, 1977 • The state’s system of funding schools was unconstitutional • Local property taxes should not be used to fund basic education services • The legislature is responsible for defining and providing sufficient funds for basic education through a regular and dependable tax source

  4. Legislative responses • Basic Education Act of 1977 Created a new funding formula intended to equalize educational opportunities • Levy Lid Act of 1977 Limited local taxes to 10% • Expansion of basic education (1983) Special, remedial and bilingual education • Equalization aid (1987) Extra assistance for “property poor” districts

  5. Results of finance reform • Dramatic shift from dependence on local funds to state funds • Significant reduction in revenue disparities among school districts • Legislative mechanism to control costs

  6. Current conditions • Schools are dependent on state sources for the majority of their revenues • The majority of the budget is dedicated to investments in personnel. • Interdistrict variations in state funding are primarily driven by property wealth

  7. Sources of revenue for schools in 2002-03 • State 70.2% • Local 15.2% • Federal 9.5% • Other Local 4.7% Source: OSPI Financial Reporting Summary 2002-03

  8. Comparing Teacher Salaries 2001-02 Source: American Federation of Teachers

  9. Comparing per-pupil expenditures 2000-2001 Source: National Center for Education Statistics

  10. Existing Challenges • Equal treatment is not synonymous with equitable treatment • There is a small but steady rise in the percent of the budget coming from local sources. • The state's current input-driven school finance system is out of synch with its performance-based educational reform.

  11. Policy issues shaping the future • Profiles of student performance present significant concerns about system adequacy • Statewide voter initiatives add a new element to crafting funding policies • Pressing needs in higher education strain state resources

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