2025-2027 Biennial Budget Summary

Early Learning

• Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP)
• Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)

Note: Table represents major changes to these programs (but not all)

Net -$293 million

Increases to funding include:
• ECEAP rate increase (5% in 2026 and 5% in 2027)
• Converting 250 ECEAP slots from part-day to full-day
• Rate enhancements to Family Childcare providers

Decreases to funding include (many per Senate Bill 5752):
• Eliminating 3,000 part-day ECEAP slots
• Eliminating Early ECEAP funding
• Delaying Fair Start for Kids Act (FSK) commitments, like eligibility expansions of ECEAP and WCCC, as well as WCCC rate increases
• Changing the WCCC co-payment structure

To increase the funding formula for ESIT (Senate Bill 5263)

-$75 million

To cap enrollment levels at 2024-25 levels and stop investments in program growth (Senate Bill 5769)

K-12 Funding

+$318 million

To increase special education funding and fund a pilot program to implement school-wide inclusive practices (Senate Bill 5263)

+$79 million

To increase funding for school operating costs (MSOC), such as insurance, utilities, and educational materials (Senate Bill 5192)

(Levies that support the day-to-day operation of schools. In 2025, schools can generate a maximum of $3,247 per student in enrichment levy funding)

Starting in 2026, eligible school districts will be able to raise up to $500 more per student through locally funded levies (House Bill 2049)

(Additional state funding provided to districts that can raise fewer local levy funds due to lower property wealth)

+$137 million

Increases LEA funding levels by $200 per student in 2026 and $300 per student in 2027 (increases are not guaranteed to continue beyond 2027)

(Charter public schools are unable to access enrichment levy funds of up to $3,247 per student in 2025)

No Changes

Continues the current funding level of $1,500 per student for charter public schools in 2025-26 to address their inability to access levy resources, totaling $7.7 million in funding

K-12: Student Supports

(Provides professional development to support teachers in adopting and implementing inclusionary practices)

A permanent funding stream is established in Senate Bill 5263 to continue the work of the IPTN

(Supports schools in implementing evidence-based practices that minimize the use of restraint and eliminate the use of isolation in classrooms)

+$4 million

To continue support of RREI demonstration and pilot sites

(A grant program to increase districts’ capacity to identify and support students experiencing homelessness)

-$3.8 million

To continue the program in a reduced capacity

(House Bill 1296 – Modifies requirements for student safety, nondiscrimination, student and parent rights, complaint handling, and employee protections at schools)

+$1.4 million

To support the Washington state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in ensuring schools implement gender-inclusive school requirements

(LAP provides additional funding to support the academic and well-being needs of students in high-poverty areas)

No Changes

+$8 million

To expand behavioral health regional services grants to support school districts with the least access to services

-$1.3 Million

Funding that supported the coordination of social worker associates in schools and for supervisors working with local mental health agencies and schools

+$17.9 million

To fund reimbursements for schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

K-12: Special Education

(Due to a 2024 court ruling, Washington state was required to extend eligibility for special education services until a student turns 22)

+$12.4 million

To extend eligibility for special education services through the school year a student turns 22 (Senate Bill 5253)

K-12: Other Program Areas

+$642,000

To provide resources to OSPI’s Office of Equity and Civil Rights to investigate discrimination complaints

(OEO works to reduce the opportunity gap by supporting families, students, educators, and communities in understanding the public K-12 education system and resolving concerns collaboratively)

-$ 1.4 million

Reduces funding reflecting currently vacant positions

(A mentoring program that supports first and second-year teachers)

No Changes

-$8.5 million

Reduced funding for coordination and program funding

(Provides evidence-based strategies to help students be on track to graduate as they transition to high school)

+$1.5 million

To continue the program

(Works to increase financial aid awareness and application completion)

+$340,000

To expand funding for the Initiative

(The program that supports the creation and operation of a differentiated system of school improvement activities, as well as the operation of the Required Action District program)

-$29 million

To eliminate the program providing support to schools designated as needing the most improvement

(Schools and districts can receive a variety of grants that fund training, student supports and services, and adoption of new practices)

-$134 Million

By eliminating almost all existing K-12 grants and pass-through programs starting in July 2025

-$1.8 Million

A budget cut to OSPI base funding. OSPI will determine how to implement this funding reduction

(ESDs aid in providing professional development, technical assistance, and other services to support the public school system)

-$1.8 Million

Reduces funding for travel-related expenses

Higher Education

(The maximum tuition increase for public universities in 2025-26 under current law is expected to be 3.3%)

No Changes

Maintains current law limiting tuition increases to a maximum of 3.3% for 2025-26

-$48 Million

Funding is reduced for all public institutions

+$11 million

Increases award amounts for students up to 60% of the median family income and reduces award amounts for apprenticeship programs (Senate Bill 5785)

(Can be used to help cover the cost of books and other higher education expenses beyond tuition and fees for WCG recipients)

-$55 million

Eliminates Bridge Grants

-$11.5 million

Reduces College Bound award amounts and requires recipients to use scholarship funds within six years

+$616,000

To extend a pilot program to increase CTE dual credit participation and credit attainment (House Bill 1273)

New Revenue

+$4.3 billion in 2025-27 and
+$4.4 billion in 2027-29

Through a series of new revenue proposals