Bill > SB5263

This bill addresses special education funding and support in Washington state through several key provisions. The bill modifies the funding formula for special education by increasing the multiplier used to calculate district allocations, from previous tiered rates to a flat 1.16 multiplier. It establishes statewide special education activities for the superintendent of public instruction, which include annually reviewing data to prevent disproportionate student identification, providing technical assistance to districts, and requiring self-assessments for districts with disproportionate data. The bill also mandates the development of a statewide online system for individualized education programs (IEPs) that will provide a uniform platform for creating and managing IEPs, ensure compliance with federal and state requirements, and improve educator collaboration. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program to support up to 20 pilot schools as centers of excellence for inclusionary practices, providing additional funding to schools that demonstrate commitment to inclusive education strategies. The legislation also modifies safety net funding processes for special education, including changes to how awards are distributed and eligibility criteria, and introduces new accounting methodologies for special education expenditures that shift 25 percent of a school district's base allocation to special education programs.