Framework for reviewing Washington's K-12 education mandates

Washington’s public education system is built on decades of legislative decisions. Each one adds new requirements, expectations, and funding promises. Over time, that accumulation has produced mandates that are outdated, duplicative, underfunded, or misaligned with student outcomes, House Bill 2636 offers a practical, bipartisan solution to this challenge. HB 2636 recognizes that accountability should apply not only to schools, but also to the policies imposed upon them. If the Legislature expects results from schools, it must also regularly assess whether its own policies are clear, relevant, and properly funded. HB 2636 offers a structured, bipartisan pathway grounded in evidence, informed by practitioners, and focused squarely on student outcomes. One of the bill’s greatest strengths is its structure. HB 2636, as reported by the House Committee on Appropriations, creates a 15-member Public Education Review Advisory Council tasked with identifying unfunded mandates and directs the Jo