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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2026 legislative session is just around the corner, and the challenges ahead remains clear. As legislators return on January 12, the growing educational crisis in our state remains a top priority in Olympia. With hundreds of bills returning or prefiled for the upcoming session, there are many opportunities for both improvement and harm. I remain focused on improving our students’ experience and educational outcomes.
Feedback From Our Community
I want to thank everyone who participated in my recent survey. As the Ranking Member on the House Education Committee, your feedback is critically important as I return to Olympia.
Here are some of the results:
Accountability for school spending and the delivery of quality instruction and learning environments remain top priorities for our community. I also appreciate the 48% of respondents who left personal examples and stories through the survey.
Nearly half of the respondents with children reported that at least one child is not performing at grade level. Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, students should be getting ready for success, not continuing to play catch-up.
84.15% of respondents believed that all the issues posed in this question are important areas for improvement in our state. Again, improving performance, curriculum, and environment remains a leading factor in our community.
Parental rights and involvement are also leading issues following a difficult session in which the majority stripped the Parental Bill of Rights with HB 1296, leaving families disconnected from their students’ learning. This contrasts with the majority’s overwhelming support of the measure.
Looking Forward to the 2026 Session
The survey is still open if you have not yet had the opportunity to leave your thoughts. You can complete the form by clicking here or on the graphic below. I appreciate your continued input.
Last year, the House Republican Caucus made efforts to increase accountability in both administration and the classroom and to improve students’ curricula and outcomes.
I will continue my work on our K-12 system, continue working with my Democratic colleagues on common ground, and look forward to supporting many measures like last year:
- Financial education (House Bill 1285): My bipartisan bill to require personal finance as a graduation requirement starting with the class of 2031.
- 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.
Every student deserves a fair opportunity to thrive, every educator deserves the resources to support that growth, and every parent deserves respect and a meaningful role in their child’s learning.
Sincerely,
Skyler Rude
