Washington state legislators have taken decisive action to address the financial strain on school districts and the potential harm to students caused by a cap on special education funding. Both chambers of the state legislature have passed Senate Bill(SB) 5263, which will eliminate the enrollment cap that limited the amount of funding districts could receive for special education.

 The House passed SB 5263 increases the multiplier to send more dollars to districts. It also simplifies the formula used by the state to determine how much will be provided per student and makes it easier for districts to qualify for additional special education dollars. This bill will send out roughly $870 million more over the next two budgets.

The bill also introduces several other key changes to the state’s special education funding formula. It increases the multiplier used in the formula, resulting in a greater allocation of funds per student. Additionally, the bill simplifies the formula itself, making it easier for districts to understand and predict their funding levels. Furthermore, it relaxes the eligibility requirements for additional special education funding, allowing more districts to access these crucial resources.

These changes are expected to have a significant financial impact on school districts across the state. Over the next two budget cycles, the bill is projected to distribute approximately $870 million in additional funding for special education. This substantial increase in funding will enable districts to better meet the needs of their special education students, providing them with the services and support they require to succeed academically and reach their full potential.

The passage of this bill represents a major victory for advocates of special education, who have long argued that the funding cap was inadequate and inequitable. By eliminating the cap and making other key changes to the funding formula, Washington state is taking a significant step toward ensuring that all students, regardless of their disabilities, have access to a high-quality education.

That bill would allow an increase in annual property tax growth from the current 1% cap to the combined rate of population growth plus inflation within a taxing district, not to exceed 3%. This would apply to the state’s property tax, also known as the common schools levy.