ESB 5235
In CommitteeSenate
Public school statutes
Repealing and reorganizing outdated statutes concerning public schools.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill reorganizes outdated Washington public school laws by repealing 20 obsolete statutes and updating the PASS dropout prevention award program and school meal program rules. It clarifies how schools can use PASS funds and expands eligibility for using school facilities to serve meals to children in private programs.
- Amends the PASS (Promoting Academic and Scholarly Success) program to continue awards for high schools that improve their dropout prevention scores, with priority given to schools with the greatest need if funds are insufficient.
- Requires 90% of PASS award funds to go directly to the high school for dropout prevention activities (e.g., mentoring, tutoring, internships, early warning systems), with 10% going to the school district for district-wide support.
- Expands the use of school facilities for meal programs to include children in private, nonprofit educational or training programs and students attending private K–12 schools.
- Recodifies RCW 28A.623.030 (allowing schools to serve meals at cost to children in private programs) into chapter 28A.235 RCW to improve statutory organization.
- Repeals 20 outdated statutes related to outdated or redundant school programs, including rules on playground matting, instructional assistants, teacher preparation reports, and interagency compacts.
Who is affected
- High schools and their staff (principals, teachers, counselors) — High schools that show improvement in dropout prevention may receive financial awards to support dropout prevention and reengagement efforts; schools that manipulate data may lose funding.
- School districts — School districts receive 10% of PASS award funds to support dropout prevention across the district, including in other schools beyond the award-winning high school.
- Students at risk of dropping out — Students at risk of dropping out benefit from expanded access to dropout prevention programs, including mentoring, tutoring, internships, and reengagement services.
- Private schools and nonprofit education providers — Private, nonprofit organizations and private K–12 schools gain clearer authority to use school district facilities for meal programs for children in their care or attendance.
- Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) — The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) gains new authority to prioritize award funds based on need and to enforce integrity in dropout data reporting.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (5)
OSPI gain authority to withhold funds from schools that manipulate dropout data (e.g., expelling at-risk students), strengthening accountability and integrity in reporting — this protects vulnerable students from being systematically excluded.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(1)(e)Encouraging in-school suspension and alternatives to exclusion helps keep students engaged and reduces pipeline to the juvenile justice system — a proven strategy for improving long-term outcomes for at-risk youth.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1(2)(l)Explicit inclusion of prekindergarten early learning programs in PASS-eligible activities supports early intervention and school readiness, especially for children in high-need schools.
EducationRef: Sec. 1(2)(n)Targeted outreach and counseling to students who have dropped out or are at risk expands reengagement pathways (e.g., running start, technical high schools), improving odds of diploma completion.
EducationRef: Sec. 1(2)(g)Allowing contracts with community-based organizations for dropout reengagement programs increases flexibility and leverages community resources, potentially improving program quality and reach.
EducationRef: Sec. 1(2)(d)
Potential Concerns (5)
Expanding school facility use to include private K–12 students and private nonprofit programs improves access to school meals for vulnerable children in nonpublic settings, potentially reducing food insecurity and supporting child well-being during school hours.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2 (amending RCW 28A.235.120, adding private school meal access)90% of PASS award funds go directly to high schools for dropout prevention activities (e.g., mentoring, tutoring, early warning systems), with 10% to districts for district-wide support — this strengthens targeted academic interventions for at-risk students.
EducationRef: Sec. 1(1)(c)–(d)Prioritizing PASS awards to schools with the greatest need improves resource allocation equity for high-need schools, but the lack of new funding means existing awards may shrink or be reallocated rather than expanded.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)(b)Repealing obsolete statutes (e.g., playground matting rules, teacher preparation reports, interagency compacts) reduces administrative burden and regulatory clutter, allowing districts to focus resources on current priorities.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 4 (repealing 20 outdated statutes)Formalizing authority for schools to serve meals at cost to children in private nonprofit programs clarifies legal standing and removes ambiguity, supporting continuity of services for vulnerable students in nonpublic settings.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 2 (recodifying RCW 28A.623.030)
Who Is Most Affected
High schools in high-need areas stand to benefit significantly if they show dropout improvement — they receive direct funding for mentoring, tutoring, and early warning systems. However, schools failing to meet performance targets or facing data integrity scrutiny may see reduced or withheld awards.
School districts receive 10% of PASS awards for district-wide support, enabling coordination across schools. This strengthens district-level capacity but also increases administrative expectations for oversight and compliance with integrity standards.
Students at risk of dropping out benefit from expanded access to dropout prevention and reengagement services, including mentoring, internships, and early warning systems — especially in schools receiving PASS awards.
Private, nonprofit educational providers gain clearer legal authority to use school facilities for meals, improving program sustainability and access for children in nonpublic settings. However, this does not create new funding — only clarifies existing authority.
OSPI gains new authority to prioritize awards based on need and enforce data integrity, strengthening oversight. However, this also increases administrative burden and potential for conflict with districts over compliance.