A new 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 Over time, that accumulation has produced mandates that are outdated, duplicative, underfunded, or misaligned with student outcomes.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 Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct evidence-based evaluations of education policy requirements and funding provisions.

Rather than creating a costly new bureaucracy as outlined in the original bill, the subsequent substitute version relies on JLARC, a bipartisan body with nonpartisan professional staff and a long track record of objective performance audits. JLARC already evaluates state programs for effectiveness, cost-benefit outcomes, and relevance. Applying that same rigor to K–12 education policy is not only sensible, it is also overdue.

The advisory council ensures that JLARC’s work is guided by real-world expertise. Appointed members are to include educators, school administrators, principals, school directors, and education business professionals, along with state education leaders. This ensures that the policies selected for review reflect real issues, not just abstract legislative priorities. By requiring the council to submit prioritized recommendations, the bill also keeps the process focused and manageable, addressing concerns about workload and scope.

Importantly, HB 2636 directly responds to concerns about unfunded and underfunded mandates, a recurring issue raised by school districts across the state. JLARC’s evaluations must consider whether policies achieve their intended goals, improve student outcomes, and produce a positive cost-benefit result. That analysis creates an evidence-based pathway for lawmakers to identify requirements that consume resources without delivering value, and to either fix or eliminate them.

As the bill moved through the Appropriations Committee, the second substitute made targeted adjustments to ensure the review process remains realistic and sustainable. Under the version passed by Appropriations, JLARC retains discretion (subject to its approved work plan and available resources) to determine the timing and scope of any reviews recommended by the council.

This change preserves the bill’s intent while acknowledging existing workload constraints. The second substitute bill also improves on the original proposal by accelerating the timeline. Instead of waiting until 2029, the bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment, ensuring the review process begins sooner rather than later. JLARC would begin issuing annual reports by November 1, 2027.

Equally important, HB 2636 preserves legislative authority while improving legislative decision-making. The bill does not mandate automatic repeal of any policy. Instead, it equips lawmakers with neutral, data-driven analysis so they can make informed choices. That balance is exactly what responsible oversight should look like.

Committee testimony (and the lack of opposing testimony) underscores the bill's bipartisan value. Supporters emphasized that school districts are struggling under the weight of administrative requirements that no longer serve their intended purpose. By creating a permanent review process, HB 2636 helps ensure that future mandates do not pile up unchecked. It also strengthens transparency, reinforces local control, and signals that the Legislature is willing to reassess its own work when evidence demands it.

HB 2636 is not about criticizing public education. It is about strengthening it. By pairing educator insight with independent audit expertise, the bill creates a smart, low-cost mechanism to ensure Washington’s education policies remain effective, relevant, and properly funded.