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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Students are back in classrooms, giving us a chance to look honestly at where our education system stands, the progress we’ve made, and the gaps we still need to close. Washington state continues to face serious challenges, and as the ranking member on the House Education Committee, I want to hear directly from you as I prepare for the 2026 legislative session.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. You can do so by clicking here or on the graphic below. I appreciate your feedback.
Education is at a crossroads in Washington state
Education in Washington is at a crossroads — and unless we take real steps to fix the growing crisis in our schools, too many students will be left behind.
Despite record spending – nearly $19,000 per student each year – student outcomes remain poor. We are still falling short of meeting grade-level standards in math and English. Absenteeism continues to reach troubling levels, with some districts reporting that more than one in five students are chronically absent. Graduation rates have stalled, masking deeper struggles with actual readiness for college or careers.
Families are also shouldering heavier costs. Back-to-school expenses averaged $860 per child this year, on top of higher prices for groceries, gas, and housing. Enrollment is climbing after pandemic lows but remains below pre-2019 levels, leaving some districts struggling to adjust while others face declining enrollment and unstable funding.
These challenges demand more than words – they require action. That’s why the House Republican Caucus put forward reforms in 2025 to improve outcomes and restore accountability. Some of these measures included:
- Financial education (House Bill 1285): My bipartisan bill to require personal finance as a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2031.
- EmpowerED scholarships (House Bill 1140): Giving families options through Education Savings Accounts.
- Student learning improvements (House Bill 1832): Strengthening early literacy and math programs.
- School safety reform (House Bill 1637): Funding school resource officers and empowering teachers to maintain order.
We also pushed to direct more resources into classrooms by capping excessive administrative salaries, ensuring that dollars benefit students directly. Unfortunately, most of these measures were blocked.
Meanwhile, bills passed by the majority weakened parental rights protections (House Bill 1296) and raised the local property tax levy cap without equivalent support for lower-income districts (House Bill 2049). These moves widen the gap between wealthy and struggling districts while eroding parent-school trust.
Education shouldn’t be a partisan battleground. Every child deserves a fair chance to succeed, every teacher deserves the tools to make that possible, and every parent deserves to be respected and involved in their child’s education.
That’s why your input matters as I prepare for the 2026 legislative session. Please take a few minutes to share your perspective in this brief survey.
The survey results will help guide my priorities in Olympia. Thank you for staying engaged and for continuing to advocate for Washington’s students.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you and the 16th District.
Sincerely,
Skyler Rude
