Policy & Funding
Washington’s public schools serve over 1.1 million students, and the state is responsible for funding the public education of each of those students. Although there are variances across school districts and grade levels, the state spent an average of $11,500 per student in basic education funding in 2019. On top of basic education funding, school districts can apply for state, federal, and local grants; receive targeted funding for specific purposes, such as school improvement; or raise levy funds within their local community. This page contains information about how schools are funded, available grants, the policies that drive school funding and operations, and more.
Trending Topics
- School District Budget Challenges and Financial Insolvency
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- E-Certification for State Educators
- State Learning Standards
- Since Time Immemorial Curriculum
- State Testing
- School Apportionment
- Apportionment, Enrollment, and Fiscal Reports
- Graduation Requirements
Information for.
- Educators
- Parents & Families
- District Leaders
Data & Research
- School Report Card
- Resource Clearinghouse
- Education Data System (EDS)
- CEDARS
Contact OSPI
- Contact the Agency
- Work for OSPI
- Request Public Records
- File a Complaint
- Website Accessibility
Reach OSPI
Old Capitol Building
P.O. Box 47200
600 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
360-725-6000
TTY 360-664-3631
All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
- Home
- Student Success
- Resources by Subject Area
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- The Arts
- Learning Standards
- Performance Assessments
- Resources and Laws
- K-12 Learning Standards
- Computer Science Grants
- Learning Standards and Best Practices for Instruction
- Comprehensive Literacy Plan (CLP)
- Strengthening Student Educational Outcomes (SSEO)
- Washington Reading Corps
- Resources
- OSPI Contacts
- Regional ELA Coordinators
- Learning Standards
- Assessments
- Learning Standards
- Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan
- Resources and Research
- About FEPPP
- Trainings and Events
- Committees, Meetings, and Rosters
- Partnership
- Resources and Links
- Legislation and Policy
- Learning Standards
- Assessments
- Laws & Resources
- ASB Frequently Asked Questions
- Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Implementation
- HIV and Sexual Health Education Resources
- Sexual Health Education Standards Comparison
- 2024 Sexual Health Education Curriculum Review
- Sexual Health Curriculum Review Tools
- Learning Standards
- Math Graduation Requirements
- Family Resources
- Educator Resources
- Modeling Our World with Mathematics
- Modern Algebra 2
- Outdoor Education for All Program
- Learning Standards
- ClimeTime
- Grants, Resources, and Supports
- SEL Online Education Module
- Academic Learning is Social and Emotional: Integration Tools
- Learning Standards & Graduation Requirements
- OSPI-Developed Social Studies Assessments
- Resources for K-12 Social Studies
- Civic Education
- Holocaust Education
- Washington History Day
- History Day Program Components
- Washington History Day and Partners
- Early Learning Curriculum
- Elementary Curriculum
- Middle School Curriculum
- Middle School Unit 1C Washington State History—Medicine Creek Treaty of 1854
- High School Unit 1 Contemporary World Problems
- High School Unit 1 US History
- High School Unit 2 Contemporary World Problems
- High School Unit 2 US History
- High School Unit 3 Contemporary World Problems
- High School Unit 3 US History
- High School Unit 4 Contemporary World Problems
- High School Unit 4 US History
- High School Unit 5 US History
- High School Unit 6 US History
- Tribes within Washington State
- Indigenous Historical Conceptual Framework
- Regional Learning Project Videos
- Learning Standards
- Language Proficiency
- Language Proficiency Custom Testing
- Credits & Testing for Students
- Testing Process For Districts
- Talking to Young People About Race, Racism, & Equity
- Open Educational Resources
- Course Design & Instructional Materials
- Reporting Instruction and Assessment
- Washington State Learning Standards Review
- Learning Standards Public Comment
- High School and Beyond Plan
- Waivers and CIA
- Career Guidance Washington Lessons
- High School Transcripts
- Graduation Pathways
- Credit Requirements
- Career and College Readiness
- State Testing
- Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS)
- Family Connection
- Whole-child Assessment
- Early Learning Collaboration
- Training and Webinars
- Resources
- WaKIDS Contacts
- Mathematics Assessment
- 1% Alternate Assessment Threshold
- Access Point Frameworks and Performance Tasks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Scoring and Reporting
- Trainings
- INSIGHT Portal
- Achievement Level Descriptors
- Technical Reports
- Testing Statistics (Frequency Distribution)
- Scale Scores State Assessments
- Sample Score Reports
- Request to View Your Student’s Test
- ELP Annual Assessments
- English Language Proficiency Screeners
- Alternate ACCESS
- WIDA Consortium
- Trainings, Modules, and Presentations
- Monitoring of State Assessments
- Principal Letter Templates
- NAEP State Results
- NAEP Publications
- Approval Process
- Carl D. Perkins Act
- Program of Study and Career Clusters
- Resources & Essentials
- 21st Century Skills
- CIP Codes
- Career Connect Washington
- Methods of Administration (MOA)
- Statewide Course Equivalencies
- Work-Based Learning
- Data Collection
- Federal Data Collection Forms
- Special Education Data Collection Summaries
- File a Community Complaint
- Special Education Due Process Hearing Decisions
- Request Mediation (Special Education)
- Request a Due Process Hearing
- Special Education Request Facilitation
- Early Childhood Outcomes (Indicator 7)
- Transition from Part C to Part B (Indicator 12)
- Preschool Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - Indicator 6
- Behavior and Discipline
- Disagreements and Complaints about Special Education
- Eligibility for Special Education
- Evaluations
- How Special Education Works
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Making a Referral for Special Education
- Need Assistance?
- Parent and Student Rights (Procedural Safeguards)
- Placement Decisions and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- Prior Written Notice
- Transition Services (Ages 16–21)
- What Is Special Education?
- Special Education WAC and Federal IDEA
- Policy Guidance and Resources
- Rulemaking and Public Comment
- Current Nonpublic Agencies
- Annual Determinations
- Model Forms for Services to Students in Special Education
- Self-Study and System Analysis
- Significant Disproportionality
- Washington Integrated System of Monitoring
- Technical Assistance
- Attendance, Chronic Absenteeism, and Truancy
- Attendance Awareness Materials
- Improving Attendance for Schools
- Policies, Guidance, and Data Reporting
- District Truancy Liaison
- Root Causes & Interventions for Absences
- Truancy Supports and Resources
- Building Bridges Grant Program
- GATE Equity Webinar Series
- Course-Based Dual Credit
- Exam-Based Dual Credit
- Transitional Kindergarten
- Early Learning Resources
- Early Learning District Liaisons
- Early Learning Fellows Lead Contact List
- Menus of Best Practices & Strategies
- MTSS Events
- Integrated Student Support
- MTSS Components and Resources
- Equity in Student Discipline
- Student Discipline Training
- Whole Child Initiative
- Migrant and Multilingual Education
- Migrant Education Program
- Migrant Education Health Program
- Migrant Education Parent Advisory Council
- Migrant Education Workshops and Webinars
- Migrant Education Student Resources
- TBIP Program Guidance
- WIDA Resources
- Dual Language Education and Resources
- Title III Services
- Family Communication Templates
- Webinars and Newsletters
- Tribal Languages
- Types of Tribal Schools
- State-Tribal Education Compact Schools (STECs)
- Support for Indian Education and Culture
- Curriculum Support Materials
- Rules and Regulations
- Title VI Indian Education Programs — By District
- Contact Information
- Native Educator Cultivation Program
- Tribal Consultation
- McKinney-Vento Act
- Liaison Contact List
- Liaison Training Update Webform
- Interstate Compact for Military Children
- Military Kids Resources and Links
- Foster Care Liaisons/DCYF Contacts
- Foster Care Liaison Update
- Building Point of Contact Update Form
- School Safety Center
- Mental, Social, & Behavioral Health
- Project AWARE
- Youth Suicide Prevention, Intervention, & Postvention
- Substance Use Prevention & Intervention
- Best Practices & Resources
- Prevention/Intervention SAPISP Coordinators
- Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
- HIB Compliance Officers Contact List
- Active Shooter
- Bomb Threat & Swatting
- Gangs in Schools
- Hazing
- School Drills
- Terrorism and Schools
- Weapons and Schools
- Youth-Centered Environmental Shift Program
- Erin's Law 2018 Curriculum Review
- Erin’s Law – House Bill 1539
- Health Services Resources
- Health Services Sample Forms
- Immunizations
- School Nurse Corps
- 2021 COVID-19 Student Survey Results
- Alternative Learning Experience
- Continuous Learning
- Graduation, Reality And Dual-Role Skills (GRADS)
- Highly Capable
- Guidance and Resources for Educators and Families
- HiCapPLUS Professional Learning Modules for Educators
- For Applicants
- For Schools & Districts
- For Students & Families
- Getting Started Toolkit
- Resources
- Open Doors Reports
- The Superintendent's High School Art Show
- Daniel J. Evans Civic Education Award for Students
- Washington State Honors Award
- Teacher Certificate
- In-State Program Completer Applicants
- Pre-Residency Clearance In-State Applicant
- Teacher College Recommendation
- Conditional Teacher Certificate - In-State
- Intern Substitute Certification In-State Applicants
- Emergency Substitute Certification In-State Applicants
- First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Traditions Certification
- Pre-Residency Clearance Out-of-State Applicant
- Residency Teacher Out-of-State
- Professional Teacher Out-of-State
- Substitute Teaching Out-of-State
- Conditional Teacher Out-of-State
- Intern Substitute Teacher Certificate Out-of-State
- Emergency Substitute Teacher Certification Out-of-State
- Foreign Trained Applicants Teacher Certification
- Residency Teacher Renewal
- Professional Teacher
- Continuing
- Transitional Teaching Certificate
- Conditional Teacher Certification
- Emergency Substitute Certificate
- First Peoples' Language, Culture and Oral Traditions Renewal
- Initial Teaching Certificate
- Standard/Continuing Teaching Certificate
- Provisional Teaching Certificate
- Upgrading Initial to Continuing
- Upgrade from Residency to Professional
- Converting Initial to Residency Teaching Certificate
- STEM Renewal Requirement for Teacher Certification
- Adding a CTE Certification Vocational Code (V-Code)
- Initial Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Certificate
- Renewal of a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Initial Certificate
- Renewal of a Career and Technical Educator (CTE) Continuing Certificate
- Paraeducator First Time Applicant
- General Paraeducator
- English Language Learner Subject Matter
- Special Education Subject Matter
- Paraeducator First Time Applicant - Advanced Paraeducator
- English Language Learner Subject Matter Renewal
- Special Education Subject Matter Renewal
- Advanced Paraeducator Renewal
- In-State Program Completer Applicants
- Administrator College Recommendation
- Substitute Administrator Certificate In-State
- Conditional Administrator (Principals Only)
- Superintendent College Recommendation
- Residency Principal or Program Administrator
- Substitute Administrator Out-of-State
- Professional Principal or Program Administrator
- Initial Superintendent
- Residency Principal or Program Administrator
- Professional Principal or Program Administrator Renewal
- Initial (Superintendent, Program Administrator, or Principal)
- Continuing (Superintendent, Program Administrator, Principal)
- Standard/Continuing Administrator Certificate
- Transitional Administrator Certificate
- Residency Principal and Program Administrator Upgrade to Professional
- Initial Upgrading to Continuing
- Initial Converting to Residency Administrator
- ESA First Time Applicant
- School Orientation and Mobility Specialist
- School Counselor First Time Applicant
- School Psychologist First Time
- School Nurse
- School Social Worker First Time
- School Occupational Therapist First Time
- School Physical Therapist First Time
- Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist First Time
- School Behavior Analyst
- Substitute ESA
- School Behavior Analyst Renewal
- School Orientation and Mobility Specialist Renewal
- School Counselor Reissue and Renewal
- School Psychologist Reissue and Renewal Applicant
- School Nurse Renewal
- School Social Worker Renewal Applicant
- School Occupational Therapist Renewal
- School Physical Therapist Renewal Applicant
- Speech Language Pathologist/Audiologist Renewal Applicant
- Conditional ESA
- Transitional ESA Renewal
- Upgrade from Residency to Professional ESA
- Upgrade from Initial to Continuing ESA
- Converting Initial to Residency ESA
- National Board Candidates
- National Board Candidate FAQ
- OSPI National Board Conditional Loan
- Support National Board Candidates
- Fingerprint Office Locations
- Fingerprint Records Forms and Resources
- Fingerprint Records Alternatives for Applicants
- Fingerprint Records Private School Applicants
- Fingerprint Records Frequently Asked Questions
- Paraeducator Support
- Washington State Recommended Core Competencies for Paraeducators
- Standards for Beginning Educator Induction
- Washington State Standards for Mentoring
- BEST Events & Trainings
- Mentor Foundational Opportunities
- Mentor Extended Learning
- Mentor On-going Opportunities
- Induction Leader Opportunities
- Educator Clock Hour Information
- STEM Clock Hours
- Approved Providers
- Become an Approved Provider
- Department of Health License Hours as Clock Hours Information
- School Counseling
- Comprehensive School Counseling Programs
- Laws, Regulations & Guidance
- Support & Training
- Teacher-Librarians
- School Library Programs - Standards and LIT Framework
- School Library Research and Reports
- Frameworks and Student Growth
- eVAL
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Research and Reports
- Training Modules
- AWSP Leadership Framework
- CEL 5D+ Instructional Framework
- Danielson Instructional Framework
- Marzano Instructional Framework
- AWSP Leadership Framework
- CEL 5D+ Teacher Evaluation Rubric 3.0
- Charlotte Danielson’s Framework for Teaching
- Marzano’s Teacher Evaluation Model
- Educator Awards
- Teacher of the Year
- Teacher of the Year and Regional Winners
- ESEA Distinguished Schools Award Program
- U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
- Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- Disciplinary Action Notices
- Investigation Forms
- Investigations FAQ
- OSPI Reports to the Legislature
- School Buildings & Facilities
- School Facilities Programs
- Asset Preservation Program
- High-Performance School Buildings Program
- School District Organization
- School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) Revision Planning
- School Facilities Construction Projects Funding
- Small District Energy Assessment Grant
- Emergency Repair Pool Grant
- CTE Equipment Grant Program
- Health and Safety ADA Access Grants
- Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grants
- Skill Centers Capital Funding
- Lead in Water Remediation Grant
- Small School District Modernization Grant
- Urgent Repair Grant
- Special Education Funding In Washington State
- Applying for Safety Net Funding
- Apportionment, Enrollment, and Fiscal Reports
- Apportionment Attachments
- Budget Preparations
- District Allocation of State Resources Portal
- Election Results for School Financing
- ESD Reports and Resources
- Instructions and Tools
- Tools and Forms
- ABFR Guidelines
- Accounting Manual
- EHB 2242 Accounting Changes
- EHB 2242 Guidance
- Enrollment Reporting
- Federal Allocations
- Indirect Cost Rates
- Personnel Reporting
- School District Budget Challenges and Financial Insolvency
- 1801 Personnel Reports
- Financial Reporting Summary
- Organization and Financing of Washington Public Schools
- Personnel Summary Reports
- Property Tax Levies
- Legislative Budget Requests
- Proviso Reports
- Washington State Common School Manual
- EGMS Resources & Guides
- OER Project Grants
- 21st Century Learning
- Nita M. Lowey Grant Competition
- Program Guidance
- Grantees
- Ask a Question about the Citizen Complaint Process
- Professional Learning Opportunities for Title I, Part A and LAP
- Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
- Private School Participation in Federal Programs
- Public Notices & Waiver Requests to the U.S. Department of Education
- State Applications and Reports Submitted to U.S. Department of Education
- Program Requirements
- School Meals
- Meals for Washington Students
- Washington School Meals Application Finder
- At-Risk Afterschool Meals
- Family Day Care Home Providers/Sponsors
- Meal Patterns and Menu Planning
- CACFP Requirements and Materials
- Child and Adult Care Food Program Training
- Menu Planning and Meal Patterns
- Seamless Summer Option (SSO)
- EdTech Plan for K-12 Public Schools in Washington State
- K-20 Network
- IP Address Assignment
- School Technology Technical Support
- Legislation & Policies
- Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship Grants
- 2024-25 State Quote Specifications
- Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS)
- Student Transportation Allocation (STARS) Reports
- Complaints and Concerns About Discrimination
- Information for Families: Civil Rights in Washington Schools
- Resources for School Districts
- Nondiscrimination Law & Policy
- Language Access
- Report Card
- Data Portal
- Reporting
- Data Administration
- Education Data System Administration (EDS)
- EDS Application User Guides
- CEDARS
- District and School Resources
- Student Growth Percentiles FAQ
- Student Data Sharing
- Educator Data Sharing
- Implementation of I-2081, the Parents’ Bill of Rights
- Discipline COVID-19 Data Display
- Monthly Enrollment and Absences Display
- Substitute Teachers Data
- Superintendent Chris Reykdal
- Superintendent's Vision & Priorities
- K-12 Education Vision & McCleary Framework
- Use of the OSPI Logo
- Nondiscrimination Policy & Procedure
- News Releases
- Special Projects
- Stories
- Videos
- OSPI Interlocal Agreements
- Competitive Procurements
- Sole Source Contracts
- Currently Meeting Workgroups
- Accounting Manual Committee
- Children & Families of Incarcerated Parents Advisory Committee
- Committee of Practitioners (COP), Title I, Part A
- Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee
- About Dyslexia
- Screening Tools and Best Practices
- African American Studies Workgroup
- Compensation Technical Working Group
- Ethnic Studies Advisory Committee
- Expanded Learning Opportunities Council
- K–12 Basic Education Compensation Advisory Committee
- Language Access Workgroup
- Race and Ethnicity Student Data Task Force
- Salary Grid Workgroup
- Ask OSPI
- OSPI Public Records Request
- How to File a Complaint
- Directions to OSPI
- Stay Connected
- Social Media Terms of Use
- 2024-25 School Breaks
- 180-Day School Year Waivers
- ESD Contact Info
- Maps & Applications
- Websites and Contact Info
- Web Accessibility Request Form
- Emergency Relief Funding Priorities
- State & Federal Funding
- School Employee Vaccination Data
- Washington’s Education Stimulus Funds
- Special Education Guidance for COVID-19
- LEA Academic and Student Well-Being Plan Data
- Academic and Student Well-being Responses