Authors: Kendall Fujioka, David Knight, Anthony Craig, Mia Tuan, Kelly Aramaki, William Jackson, and Trevor Greene
Executive Summary: To help advance and build consensus around needed K-12 school finance policy reforms in Washington state, leaders in the University of Washington College of Education Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy have engaged a diverse group of school district superintendents through a series of learning and policy design sessions. Led by Dean Mia Tuan and Professors Anthony Craig and David Knight, the first convening was held on July 1 and 2 with 12 superintendents. On October 21, 2024, the project leaders brought the group together for a second time to refine their collective vision for establishing an ample and equitable K-12 funding system for all students. The group plans to reconvene in the spring and again in summer of 2025. This document describes the learning sessions that took place during the October 21 convening, describes the group’s policy discussion and priorities, and places this content and the policy recommendations within the broader research and policy context.
The convening centered on three key goals: deepening participants’ understanding of the relationship between school funding and student outcomes, exploring weighted student funding models as a possible alternative to the current resource-based funding formula, and preparing for advocacy in the upcoming legislative session. After introductory remarks and statements, Dr. David Knight opened the convening by presenting data on student outcomes across Washington school districts, synthesizing research on the impacts of school spending, and reviewing potential policy reforms facing Washington legislators. Next, Rebecca Sibilia, Executive Director of EdFund, provided a national perspective on student-based funding models, highlighting their potential to advance equity for students, and sharing insights from case studies of states that have implemented similar funding models. Finally, Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos of the 37th Legislative District and Chair of the House Education Committee shared her experiences in championing educational equity and encouraged the group to pursue comprehensive systemic reforms rather than temporary solutions.Building on discussions from the July session, the October convening focused on learning more about actionable policy solutions to the state’s education funding challenges. The superintendents reaffirmed their shared commitment to collective advocacy for legislative reforms to improve student outcomes statewide. The meeting underscored the essential link between adequate, equitable school funding and student success, reinforcing the urgency for sustained collective action and advocacy. The group’s efforts align with Washington’s constitutional duty to provide ample funding for the education all children.