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WashingtonSB 51892025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Supporting the implementation of competency-based education.

Sponsored By: Lisa Wellman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New standard and competency transcripts

Before the 2026–27 school year, OSPI provides a standard high school transcript for all districts and defines “credits” and “hours” so quarter, semester, and trimester records compare. The transcript notes if a student earned the Washington state seal of biliteracy. Before 2026–27, the State Board recommends a competency-based transcript format that schools can use with or instead of the standard one.

State funding for competency-based programs

Beginning September 1, 2025, OSPI adopts rules that let districts count students in State Board–designated competency-based programs as full-time for state funding. Eligible programs include those in the mastery-based learning collaborative, those with an SBE graduation waiver, or those named through SBE’s new process. The law is null and void unless the state’s omnibus budget names funding for this act by June 30, 2025.

Sports access for competency-based students

WIAA must review proposed rules to see if they create barriers for students in competency-based programs to join sports and activities. It considers changes to keep access fair for those students.

State designates competency-based schools, estimates costs

The State Board of Education creates a process to name schools and districts using competency-based education. It checks how fully programs meet the seven required elements and works with OSPI on how to show this on the state report card site. OSPI designs a process to build competencies aligned to state standards and estimates costs. OSPI sends its recommendations and costs to the State Board by December 1, 2025. The State Board includes these in its report due December 31, 2025.

Ends prior innovative learning pilot

The law repeals the Innovative Learning Pilot Program statute (RCW 28A.300.810 and 2020 c 353 s 2). Districts and students cannot rely on that pilot authority anymore.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claudia Kauffman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Manka Dhingra

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 40

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 44 • No: 5

House vote • 4/15/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 63 • No: 33 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 278, 2025 Laws.

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/13/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 44; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 63; nays, 33; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/15/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/4/2025Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/4/2025Senate

  16. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/4/2025Senate

  17. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/4/2025Senate

  18. Referred to Appropriations.

    3/21/2025Senate

  19. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/20/2025Senate

  20. ED - Majority; do pass.

    3/20/2025Senate

  21. ED - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/20/2025Senate

  22. First reading, referred to Education.

    3/7/2025Senate

  23. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2025Senate

  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/5/2025Senate

  25. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

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