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Bill

SB 5311

Concerning special education funding formula.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by John Braun and 10 co-sponsors

SB 5311 revises Washington's special education funding allocation formula to adjust how state resources are distributed to school districts serving students with disabilities.

Senate Rules "X" file.
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Bill Summary · SB 5311

Legislative bill overview

SB 5311 modifies Washington State's special education funding formula, which determines how state resources are allocated to school districts for students with disabilities. The bill has been reintroduced in the 2024 legislative session after receiving a "do pass with amendments" recommendation from the House Appropriations Committee in 2023.

Why is this important

Special education funding formulas directly affect how much money districts receive to serve students with individualized education programs (IEPs), impacting classroom resources, staff-to-student ratios, and service quality. Changes to funding mechanisms can significantly affect both urban and rural districts differently, depending on student population distributions and cost structures.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Any formula change may shift funding between districts, creating winners and losers among school systems
  • Adequacy concerns: Debates likely center on whether new formulas provide sufficient resources to meet federal IDEA requirements and student needs
  • District equity: Questions about whether the formula adequately addresses cost differences between high-need urban areas and lower-density rural regions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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