“State funding is not ample, it is not stable and it is not dependable….the State is directed to determine the cost of amply providing for basic education and a basic program of education for all children resident in the state of Wa.  The State must also comply with the Constitutional mandate to provide stable and dependable funding for such cost of basic education.”

Read the complete judgement (PDF)

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“…documents are incomplete because they do not adequately take into account the BEA or excess cost allocation model and, as a result, substantial evidence supports the trial court’s findings that the evidence does not demonstrate underfunding.”

“…the Alliance has not met its burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the special education funding process the legislature enacted to fund special education in Washington violated article IX, section 1, (of the Constitution) we affirm.” Read the rest of this entry »

“The Alliance districts” appealed. Final decision due early 2009.

Read the court’s opinion (PDF)

“At the end of the trial, it seems evident that the alleged shortfall in the special education appropriation, if it is found to exist at all, is the product of an inadequate BEA, not an inadequate excess cost multiplier.” Judge Thomas McPhee 3/1/07

The court’s opinion is also available on our WSSEC Funding & Finance page.

WSSEC serves on the executive committee for N.E.W.S., a broad based coalition of community organizations and schools. WSSEC has actively argued for improved funding for ALL students for many years. Students with disabilities cannot get the education they need and deserve when no one is getting the basic, foundational amount of funding needed to provide for a truly viable public education system for all.

This lawsuit is scheduled to begin in June of 2009. Go to the N.E.W.S. website to sign up for updates.

WASL Myths vs. Facts (PDF)