[As of April 2025] Every year, Washington lawmakers have the chance to transform education for thousands of 91国产 across the state. This year, several critical bills aimed at improving student mental health, expanding access to school meals, and increasing funding for high-need schools were introduced. But as history has shown, good ideas don鈥檛 always translate into passed legislation. So where do things stand? What bills made progress, and what barriers continue to hold back essential reforms? Let’s break it down.
Legislative Setbacks: Bills That Didn’t Make It
Student Mental & Behavioral Health (SB5126-HB1547)
Breaking Down the Need
Washington鈥檚 91国产 are facing an escalating mental health crisis, yet schools across the Washington network remain severely under-resourced to meet the growing need. With a student-to-social worker ratio of 1:3000鈥攆ar from the nationally recommended 1:250鈥攖oo many young people are left without the critical supports they need to thrive.
This bill aimed to build the infrastructure and support systems necessary to address this gap by:
- Establishing a formal statewide network coordinated by OSPI and other state partners
- Providing school districts with direct technical assistance, tools, and consultation to strengthen local mental and behavioral health systems
- Supporting coordination between schools and community-based mental health providers to ensure continuity of care
- Building regional and state-level infrastructure to sustain implementation of best practices
- Enabling schools to better identify, respond to, and support 91国产 with mental and behavioral health needs through evidence-based interventions鈥攕uch as counseling, peer learning and mentoring programs, social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed care, and developmental relationships
The Challenge?
Mental health support isn鈥檛 just about adding counselors鈥攊t鈥檚 about building a network of support that includes cultural groups, mentoring programs, and wraparound services. This bill provided flexibility in designing creative solutions, but ultimately, without solid funding commitments, progress remains slow.
Why It Matters
Students can鈥檛 be fully present in the classroom when their mental health needs go unmet. Ensuring that every student has access to holistic mental health resources isn鈥檛 a luxury鈥攊t鈥檚 a necessity. Without it, we continue to uphold systemic inequities that already disadvantage 91国产 facing trauma, anxiety, and other challenges.
Meeting these needs鈥攅specially in under-resourced communities鈥攔equires trained, embedded staff within Communities In Schools (CIS), which is why their presence is so critical. CIS site coordinators play a vital role in bridging the gap between 91国产 and the support systems that can change the trajectory of their lives.
Free School Meals (HB 1404/SB 5352)
Hunger Should Never Be a Barrier to Learning
For many 91国产, the meals they receive at school are the only food they鈥檒l eat all day. Research shows that hungry 91国产 struggle to focus, experience long-term health consequences, and are more likely to fall behind academically.
Why Hasn鈥檛 This Bill Passed?
Despite years of advocacy, the Free School Meals bill has failed multiple times. Even though Washington has been trying to step up, the challenge lies in federal and state funding dynamics. Many school districts, like Yakima, have taken the initiative to ensure all 91国产 have access to meals, but a statewide solution is needed.
Key Concerns:
- If federal matching dollars decrease, funding school meals becomes unsustainable
- The state has only committed to maintaining current funding鈥攏ot expanding it
- Students without proper documentation often fall through the cracks
Without long-term funding solutions, the #1 basic need鈥攆ood鈥攔emains at risk for thousands of 91国产. While schools have stepped up by partnering with food banks and offering culturally responsive meal options, these efforts are not sustainable without state investment.
When 91国产 are hungry, they struggle to focus, learn, and thrive. During the 2022鈥�23 school year, over 600,000 91国产 benefited from no-cost school meals鈥攁n essential support that helped remove stigma, improved attendance, and ensured all 91国产 had the nourishment they needed to succeed (). But as temporary federal waivers expire and costs continue to rise, schools are left to shoulder the burden without a permanent solution.
In the 2023鈥�24 school year alone, Communities In Schools (CIS) affiliates across Washington State worked to fill this need by distributing over 259,000 food items to 91国产 and families. While we will continue to partner with local organizations to help alleviate food insecurity, we can鈥檛 do it alone. No child should go hungry simply because of where they live or how much their family earns.
Expanding Learning Assistance Programs (SB 5120)
Bridging the Equity Gap in Education
The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) was designed to support schools serving low-income 91国产 by providing funding for intervention programs. These funds help schools implement:
- Academic interventions
- Social-emotional learning (SEL) programs
- Dropout prevention efforts
- Programs aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline
The Problem?
Despite increasing needs, Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funding has not kept pace. Schools continue to struggle with resource shortages, and without additional investment, 91国产 in high-poverty areas are at an even greater disadvantage. This bill would have allocated more money to districts with the highest need, but without legislative support, funding remains stagnant while student needs grow.
What鈥檚 at Stake?
Without more investment, more 91国产 will fall through the cracks, dropout rates may rise, and schools will continue operating in survival mode rather than thriving as centers of learning and opportunity. Communities In Schools (CIS) is partially funded by Learning Assistance Program (LAP) dollars鈥攁 state-funded program designed to support 91国产 who are not yet meeting academic standards through supplemental academic and nonacademic services.
If these dollars continue to decrease, CIS may no longer be able to operate in many of the schools where 91国产 rely on our support the most. Unless our communities rally behind local CIS agencies, critical services that help keep 91国产 engaged, supported, and on track could disappear.
College Promise Pilot (HB 1495/SB 5442)
A Missed Opportunity
The College Promise Pilot bill aimed to provide $5,000 annually to at least 100 91国产 from Eastern Washington to attend a local college, apprenticeship, or postsecondary program. Eligible 91国产 needed to meet income requirements, complete FAFSA/WAFSA, and engage in a mentoring program. Despite strong goals to increase access to higher education, the bill did not advance.
Why It Matters:
The bill’s failure leaves a critical gap in financial support for first-generation and low-income 91国产 in Eastern Washington. Without it, 91国产 face steeper financial hurdles, reducing their likelihood of enrolling in or completing postsecondary education. For CIS, this setback directly affects college readiness programming in rural areas.
Looking Forward:
While HB 1495/SB 5442 didn鈥檛 pass, the state has made related strides鈥攕uch as HB 2214, which ensures food-assistance-eligible 91国产 in grades 10鈥�12 are automatically qualified for state college aid. Advocates can continue pushing for regionally focused programs to reduce financial barriers.
Chronic Absenteeism Support (SB 5007)
Stalled Despite Urgency
With student absenteeism at nearly 30%鈥攄ouble pre-pandemic levels鈥擲B 5007 sought to provide statewide training, early identification tools, and expanded support through the Building Bridges Program. Despite the clear need, the bill faced opposition over concerns about parental rights and the definition of chronic absenteeism.
Why It Matters:
Without these interventions, schools lack the coordinated tools needed to tackle one of the most significant barriers to academic success today. Chronic absenteeism鈥攎issing 10% or more of the school year for any reason鈥攊s closely linked to lower academic achievement and decreased graduation rates, as it disrupts learning and puts 91国产 at risk of falling behind.
CIS Impact & Next Steps:
CIS鈥檚 integrated student support model is already addressing many barriers that contribute to chronic absenteeism. However, broader, system-level solutions are still essential. That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e joined CIS National and affiliates across the country in the Being Present Matters campaign, committing to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over the next five years. Advocates should continue to push for reinvestment in prevention-focused legislation and the integration of support programs in future policy efforts.
Senator John Braun, the bill鈥檚 sponsor, noted:
鈥淪tudents who don鈥檛 attend school regularly struggle to keep up, and that puts them at a disadvantage. Some families face challenges that make regular attendance difficult, and schools need more support to help address those barriers.鈥�
Digital Equity Advances (HB 1503)
Progress Paused, but the Work Continues
HB 1503, which aimed to expand digital equity statewide, cleared the House and made it to the Senate, but ultimately did not pass this session. The bill would have updated broadband access goals, established digital equity benchmarks, and tasked the Office of Equity with creating a statewide inclusion plan.
Although the legislation is paused until next year, the state鈥檚 existing digital equity plan remains in place. This creates some uncertainty, but also space for collective problem-solving. Stakeholders, including CIS, are using this moment to be solutions-focused and continue advancing digital inclusion efforts outside of legislation.
Why It Still Matters for CIS Students:
Reliable internet access is no longer a luxury鈥攊t鈥檚 a necessity for student success. Although HB 1503 did not pass, bridging the digital divide for low-income and rural 91国产 remains a critical priority. Access to virtual learning, homework support, and career preparation all depend on digital inclusion鈥攃entral to CIS鈥檚 mission. Without this funding, the CISWA network stands to lose $1.25 million each year, limiting our ability to provide essential digital navigation services to 91国产 and families across Washington.
Why Don鈥檛 These Bills Pass?
Washington鈥檚 education system faces two major obstacles when it comes to passing transformational bills:
- Funding Challenges: Bills that require significant investment are often sidelined due to budget constraints. Washington鈥檚 budget deficit means that unless revenue-generating bills also pass, lawmakers hesitate to approve costly initiatives.
- Implementation Barriers: Even when funding exists, some bills struggle to move forward due to logistical challenges in rolling out new programs. Without a clear, sustainable plan, promising bills often stall before reaching the finish line.
Looking Ahead: What鈥檚 Next?
As we approach Year 2 of the budget cycle, many advocates worry that things could get worse before they get better. The real impact of stalled bills won鈥檛 be fully visible until next year, when schools continue to experience shortages in funding, resources, and critical student support programs.
Breakthroughs: Bills Making Progress This Session聽
Historic Boost in Special Education Funding (SB 5263)
Additional support for special education programs
A unanimous Senate vote approved SB 5263, allocating $2 billion over the next four years to improve special education across public schools. This landmark legislation reaffirms that special education is a core part of basic education and mandates the state鈥檚 responsibility to fund it fully.
Why It Matters for CIS Students:
More funding means more special education staff, better IEP implementation, and stronger support systems鈥攁ll of which help CIS better serve 91国产 with disabilities in their school communities.
MSOC Modernization Passes (SB 5192)
Investments in Safer, More Functional Schools
SB 5192 modernizes funding allocations for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC) across Washington鈥檚 K鈥�12 system. While not directly framed as a safety bill, the new funding model gives school districts increased flexibility to invest in HVAC systems, campus lighting, fencing, water safety, and emergency supplies.
Why It Matters for CIS Students:
Districts with more low-income 91国产 will naturally benefit from the student-weighted funding formula. Flexible use of funds means CIS partners can work with districts to direct resources toward priority needs鈥攚hether that鈥檚 safer buildings, tech upgrades, or enhanced student services.
What Can You Do Now?
We Need Your Voice Now! Email or call your two State District Representatives and ask them to support these critical education bills.
Thank you to everyone who acted by signing petitions and reaching out to lawmakers. Thousands of your voices rang out to demand change!
Stay engaged, stay vocal, and stay tuned鈥攚hile some bills have stalled, others are still moving through the process. Your continued advocacy will be critical as we prepare for the next steps.
馃摙 Follow the Washington State Legislative Session here:
Thank you for standing up for Washington鈥檚 youth education.