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April 24, 2025

On April 16-17, the State Board of Education met in Olympia for its regularly scheduled meeting. During the meeting, the Board:

• Received an Update on the FutureReady Task Force & Provided Input
• Designated Required Action Schools
• Reviewed New Standardized Achievement Tests for Home-Based Instruction
• Received an Update on the Washington State School Recognition Program
• Approved Updated Rules to Private School Accreditation

Find the complete agenda, supporting materials, and links to TVW’s video footage of the meeting on SBE’s meeting site.  

Received an Update on the FutureReady Task Force & Provided Input

The Board received an update from SBE staff on its FutureReady initiative and learned more about the discussions held during the FutureReady Task Force’s March meeting. Afterwards, Board members provided input for the task force to consider at its next meeting. FutureReady is the Board’s multi‑year effort to update Washington’s high school graduation requirements, with a legislative proposal expected in 2027. To guide this work, the Board convened a 35‑member task force representing students, families, educators, community partners, employers, and policymakers. Click here to learn more about the initiative.

Designated Required Action Schools

The Board designated five districts for Required Action. With support from OSPI these districts have begun school improvement processes with their communities and will submit a district and school improvement plan to the Board for approval at the June 2025 meeting. Once approved the schools and districts will receive additional support from OSPI to implement their improvement plans. Read more about OSPI's Required Action Districts Policy here.

Reviewed New Standardized Achievement Tests for Home-Based Instruction

The Board reviewed an updated list of standardized achievement tests that parents may use to ensure their home‐schooled child is making reasonable academic progress. The proposed list of tests can be found here and comments may be submitted to sbe@k12.wa.us. The Board will consider adoption of a revised list at the June Board meeting.  The Board is required to periodically update this list under WAC 180‑52‑070 and RCW 28A.200.010. 

Received an Update on the Washington State School Recognition Program

SBE staff provided the Board with an update on the 2025 School Recognition Program. This year, 406 schools across 154 districts were recognized for demonstrating exceptional progress in key areas of student success. Of those schools, 50 schools received recognition three years in a row. The Board plans to notify schools before the end of April.

Approved Updated Rules to Private School Accreditation

The Board voted to approve updated rules for private school accreditation. These new rules would allow private schools to be exempt from Department of Children, Youth, and Family licensing requirements if the school and its student living accommodations are accredited by a State Board-recognized accreditor. These changes were prompted by the signing of ESSB 5515 into law during the 2023 legislative session. 

Board members pose for a photo during their April meeting in Olympia.

Upcoming Board Meeting:

The Board's next meeting is scheduled for June 24-26 in Chehalis (Location To Be Determined).

Board Meetings Archive

Find the agenda and materials for all SBE meetings. New ones will be posted one week in advance of the meeting on SBE’s meetings page.

More About Us

• Learn more about the Board and members on the SBE web page with member bios
• Questions? Contact us at sbe@k12.wa.us
• Subscribe to get regular email updates from SBE