Washington school spending vs. results, adjusted for inflation: fact check

Five-second answer

Claim we investigated

Washington's school spending has grown while its education results have declined, from 20th to 31st nationally.

Mostly true. Inflation-adjusted spending per student rose 30% in eight years while math scores and Washington's education ranking fell. NCES data adjusted for inflation and enrollment show per-pupil spending rising 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19, Census data put Washington 17th in FY2024, and NAEP scores and the Kids Count ranking both declined, though Washington remains near or above the national average on NAEP.

Quote or cite this fact-check

FactHub rates the claim “Washington's school spending has grown while its education results have declined, from 20th to 31st nationally” Mostly true (high confidence): Inflation-adjusted spending per student rose 30% in eight years while math scores and Washington's education ranking fell. Reviewed October 14, 2026. https://facthub.org/n/article/wa-school-spending-results/3

One-minute summary

What the evidence establishes

After adjusting for inflation, Washington's per-pupil spending rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19 ($13,039 to $16,970 in 2022-23 dollars), versus 8% nationally; it went from below the U.S. average to above it.
Per-pupil figures already account for enrollment. Washington's enrollment grew 9% to a 2019 peak and has since fallen, so more students explain little of the spending growth.
Washington spent $18,564 per pupil in FY2024, 17th among the 50 states (Census Bureau, not inflation-adjusted).
Washington's eighth-grade NAEP math average fell from 290 in 2013 to 274 in 2024, and its Kids Count education rank fell from 20th (2015) to 31st (2026).
Washington still scores at or above the national average on most NAEP tests, scores fell nationwide after 2019, and research finds sustained spending usually helps modestly; whether money or leadership is the problem remains unproven.

Important context: The claim comes from an October 2026 social media post responding to a KATU report in which Washington schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal urged lawmakers to raise school funding as math scores lag. The post argues the state's problem is leadership and ideology rather than money. This fact check rates the three numbers the post uses and then examines what the evidence says about spending and accountability; the post's characterization of Reykdal's politics is outside its scope.

The evidence

The conclusion rests on the combined record. Expand each item to see its role and limitations.

Independence note: This check uses 7 methods across 10 institutions and 1 country or international grouping.

Evidence map
Method	Institution / country	Year(s)	What it shows	Key limitation	Primary links
Federal annual survey of school system finances	U.S. Census Bureau United States	2024, 2026	The Census Bureau's 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances, released May 7, 2026, reports current spending of $18,564 per pupil in Washington. That is 17th among the 50 states (18th if the District of Columbia is counted) and 5.4% above the national figure of $17,619. New York spent the most ($31,918) and Idaho the least ($11,060).	Figures are nominal current spending, excluding construction and debt, and are not adjusted for Washington's higher costs. Other measures rank Washington differently: a 2024 legislative report and NEA estimates both place it 14th. The state-by-state pairing was taken from a published ranked list and checked against every value in the Census chart.	U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Bureau FactHub
Federal school finance data in constant dollars, per enrolled pupil	National Center for Education Statistics United States	2011, 2019, 2021, 2022	NCES reports Washington's current spending per pupil in constant 2022-23 dollars rose from $13,039 in 2010-11 to $16,970 in 2018-19, a 30% real increase, while the U.S. average rose 8%, from $14,453 to $15,606. Washington moved from about 10% below the national average to 9% above it. Because these figures are per enrolled student, they already account for population growth. Enrollment itself rose 9.2% from fall 2011 to a peak of 1,142,073 in fall 2019, then fell 4.5% to 1,090,227 by fall 2022.	The CPI measures general inflation; school costs such as salaries and health insurance can rise faster. The figures are not adjusted for regional cost differences. NCES data end in 2020-21, and the last two years include federal pandemic funds, so we measure growth to 2018-19. NCES and Census use different definitions, so their figures are not combined.	National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Statistics FactHub
Composite index of four state education indicators	Annie E. Casey Foundation, Washington State Standard United States	2015, 2024, 2025, 2026	The 2026 Kids Count Data Book ranked Washington 31st in education, down from 27th in 2025 and 26th in 2024. A June 2025 report on the Data Book noted Washington was 20th ten years earlier. In the 2025 edition, 70% of Washington eighth graders were not proficient in math and 57% of 3- and 4-year-olds were not in preschool.	This is one index, not a test-score ranking: it combines preschool enrollment of 3- and 4-year-olds, fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade math and on-time high school graduation. Ranks are relative, so a state can fall without getting worse. We could not retrieve the Kids Count Data Center directly; values come from news reports of each Data Book, and editions from 2016 to 2023 are not shown. OSPI disputes the methodology.	Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child) Seattle's Child Seattle's Child Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child) FactHub
Federal standardized assessment of representative student samples	National Center for Education Statistics United States	2003, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024	On the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 4 or 5 states significantly outscored Washington in fourth-grade reading and math and eighth-grade reading, but 14 did in eighth-grade math. Washington's eighth-grade math average fell from 290 in 2013 to 274 in 2024, below its 2003 score of 281; the national public average fell from 276 in 2003 to 272.	NAEP scores carry sampling error, and declines after 2019 were nationwide and coincide with the pandemic. Score trends alone cannot show what caused them; they do not isolate the effect of spending.	National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Statistics National Center for Education Statistics Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction FactHub
Analysis of state budget and Census finance data	Washington Research Council United States	2011, 2018, 2020	After the 2012 McCleary decision, the Legislature increased state spending on public schools by 110% from 2009-11 to 2019-21, against 52% for all other programs. Per-pupil spending rose 37% from 2010-11 to 2017-18, the fastest growth of any state over that period.	The Washington Research Council is a business-supported policy group. Its analysis covers spending through 2018-19; the figures are nominal, and growth partly reflects a court order to restore underfunding found unconstitutional in 2012.	Washington Research Council
Meta-analysis of 31 causal studies	Northwestern University, National Bureau of Economic Research United States	2021, 2023	Kirabo Jackson and Claire Mackevicius pooled 31 credibly causal studies of U.S. school spending. They estimate that raising spending by $1,000 per pupil for four years raises test scores by about 0.035 standard deviations, a small effect, with larger gains in graduation and college-going; effects were positive in the large majority of cases.	The studies cover many states and decades, not Washington specifically, and average effects can hide large differences in how money is used. Some researchers argue the effects are smaller than this synthesis suggests.	National Bureau of Economic Research
Government audits, budget statements and staffing data	Washington State Auditor's Office, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Georgetown University Edunomics Lab United States	2013, 2023, 2026	Georgetown's Edunomics Lab found Washington school staffing grew about 20% over roughly a decade while enrollment grew less than 3%. OSPI says K-12's share of the state budget fell from 51.6% in 2019-21 to about 42% in 2026 House and Senate proposals; Superintendent Reykdal is now seeking nearly $2 billion more for 2027-29. The State Auditor's annual accountability audits test legal compliance: Moses Lake School District, for example, was found in 2026 not to have complied with state budget requirements. No routine audit links spending to student results.	OSPI's budget-share figures come from the agency seeking more money, and the 2025-27 numbers are proposals. The staffing figure covers about a decade before 2023 and does not split teachers from other staff. Audits cover individual districts, not the system as a whole.	The Hechinger Report Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Oregon Public Broadcasting / Washington State Standard Washington State Auditor's Office KATU News

1. Census data: Washington is 17th in per-pupil spending

The Census Bureau's 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances, released May 7, 2026, reports current spending of $18,564 per pupil in Washington. That is 17th among the 50 states (18th if the District of Columbia is counted) and 5.4% above the national figure of $17,619. New York spent the most ($31,918) and Idaho the least ($11,060).

Limit: Figures are nominal current spending, excluding construction and debt, and are not adjusted for Washington's higher costs. Other measures rank Washington differently: a 2024 legislative report and NEA estimates both place it 14th. The state-by-state pairing was taken from a published ranked list and checked against every value in the Census chart.

Verify: U.S. School System Current Spending Per Pupil by Region: Fiscal Year 2024 Public School Spending Per Pupil Reaches Historic High in 2024 (May 7, 2026) Washington K-12 spending and outcomes dataset

The Census Bureau chart reports FY2024 current spending per pupil by state, with a nationwide average of $17,619. The article reads Washington's bar as $18,564 (17th of 50); that value and rank are not in the PDF's extractable text. U.S. Census Bureau
Current spending covers operating costs of pre-K-12 education and excludes debt service and capital outlay. U.S. Census Bureau · Qualifies
The Census Bureau released FY2024 school finance data on May 7, 2026; national current spending per pupil was $17,619. U.S. Census Bureau
New York spent the most per pupil ($31,918) and Idaho the least ($11,060). U.S. Census Bureau
Washington's FY2024 per-pupil current spending of $18,564 ranks 17th of 50 states. FactHub

Washington's $18,564 per pupil ranked 17th of 50 states in fiscal 2024, just above the $17,619 national figure. Not adjusted for regional costs. View source chart

2. After inflation and enrollment, spending per student rose 30%

NCES reports Washington's current spending per pupil in constant 2022-23 dollars rose from $13,039 in 2010-11 to $16,970 in 2018-19, a 30% real increase, while the U.S. average rose 8%, from $14,453 to $15,606. Washington moved from about 10% below the national average to 9% above it. Because these figures are per enrolled student, they already account for population growth. Enrollment itself rose 9.2% from fall 2011 to a peak of 1,142,073 in fall 2019, then fell 4.5% to 1,090,227 by fall 2022.

Limit: The CPI measures general inflation; school costs such as salaries and health insurance can rise faster. The figures are not adjusted for regional cost differences. NCES data end in 2020-21, and the last two years include federal pandemic funds, so we measure growth to 2018-19. NCES and Census use different definitions, so their figures are not combined.

Verify: Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 236.65: Current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment, by state Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 203.20: Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state Washington K-12 spending and outcomes dataset

In constant 2022-23 dollars, Washington's current spending per pupil rose from $13,039 (2010-11) to $16,970 (2018-19), vs. $14,453 and $15,606 for the U.S. The figures are table cells, so the table title is quoted. National Center for Education Statistics
The "Constant 2022-23 dollars" columns are adjusted using the CPI on a school-year basis. National Center for Education Statistics · Qualifies
Washington public school enrollment peaked at 1,142,073 in fall 2019 and was 1,090,227 in fall 2022. The figures are table cells under "Actual total enrollment", so the table title is quoted. National Center for Education Statistics
Washington's real per-pupil spending rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19 versus 8% nationally; enrollment peaked in fall 2019. FactHub

Per-pupil spending in constant 2022-23 dollars. Washington rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19 and passed the U.S. average. View source chart

Washington public school enrollment rose 9% to a 2019 peak, then fell. Y axis does not start at zero. View source chart

3. Kids Count: education rank fell from 20th to 31st

The 2026 Kids Count Data Book ranked Washington 31st in education, down from 27th in 2025 and 26th in 2024. A June 2025 report on the Data Book noted Washington was 20th ten years earlier. In the 2025 edition, 70% of Washington eighth graders were not proficient in math and 57% of 3- and 4-year-olds were not in preschool.

Limit: This is one index, not a test-score ranking: it combines preschool enrollment of 3- and 4-year-olds, fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade math and on-time high school graduation. Ranks are relative, so a state can fall without getting worse. We could not retrieve the Kids Count Data Center directly; values come from news reports of each Data Book, and editions from 2016 to 2023 are not shown. OSPI disputes the methodology.

Verify: 2026 KIDS COUNT Spotlight: Big drop in WA education ranking 2025 KIDS COUNT: Washington state's education rankings decline KIDS COUNT 2024: WA must do better for kids WA is stuck mid-pack in national education ranking (June 2025) Washington K-12 spending and outcomes dataset

In the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Washington fell from 27th to 31st in education, based on 2024 data. Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child)
OSPI disputed the ranking, saying national reports can overlook state data differences and make unfair comparisons. Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child) · Qualifies
In the 2025 Data Book, Washington's education rank fell from 26th to 27th, and 70% of eighth graders scored below proficient in math (2024 data). Seattle's Child
57% of Washington 3- and 4-year-olds were not enrolled in preschool, compared with 54% nationally. Seattle's Child
The 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Washington 26th in education. Seattle's Child
Washington ranked 27th in education in the 2025 Data Book; ten years earlier it was 20th. Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child)
OSPI objected that NAEP data should not be used to build state rankings. Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child) · Qualifies
Washington's Kids Count education rank: 20th (2015), 26th (2024), 27th (2025), 31st (2026). FactHub

Washington's Kids Count education rank (higher is worse). Editions 2016-2023 not shown. View source chart

4. NAEP: math scores fell, but Washington stays near the national average

On the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 4 or 5 states significantly outscored Washington in fourth-grade reading and math and eighth-grade reading, but 14 did in eighth-grade math. Washington's eighth-grade math average fell from 290 in 2013 to 274 in 2024, below its 2003 score of 281; the national public average fell from 276 in 2003 to 272.

Limit: NAEP scores carry sampling error, and declines after 2019 were nationwide and coincide with the pandemic. Score trends alone cannot show what caused them; they do not isolate the effect of spending.

Verify: 2024 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8 2019 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8 2015 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8 On National Test, Washington Students Continue to Perform on Par or Better Than Their Peers, but 8th Grade Math is a Significant Challenge Washington K-12 spending and outcomes dataset

Washington's grade 8 NAEP math average was 274 in 2024, not significantly different from the national average of 272. National Center for Education Statistics · Qualifies
Washington's 2024 score (274) was lower than its 2003 score (281). National Center for Education Statistics
Washington's grade 8 math average was 286 in 2019, above the national 281. National Center for Education Statistics · Qualifies
The 2019 score was not significantly different from the 2017 score of 289. National Center for Education Statistics
Washington's grade 8 math average was 287 in 2015, down from 290 in 2013. National Center for Education Statistics
On the 2024 NAEP, 4 or 5 states significantly outscored Washington on three of the four tests, but 14 did in grade 8 math. Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction · Qualifies
Washington's grade 8 NAEP math average: 281 (2003), 290 (2013), 274 (2024). FactHub

Eighth-grade NAEP math averages. Washington stayed above the nation but fell below its 2003 level. The timing alongside rising spending does not by itself show cause. Y axis does not start at zero. View source chart

5. Spending rose sharply after the McCleary ruling

After the 2012 McCleary decision, the Legislature increased state spending on public schools by 110% from 2009-11 to 2019-21, against 52% for all other programs. Per-pupil spending rose 37% from 2010-11 to 2017-18, the fastest growth of any state over that period.

Limit: The Washington Research Council is a business-supported policy group. Its analysis covers spending through 2018-19; the figures are nominal, and growth partly reflects a court order to restore underfunding found unconstitutional in 2012.

Verify: Years of increased spending on K-12 are showing up in the national rankings (Sept. 2, 2020)

After McCleary, state K-12 spending rose 110% from 2009-11 to 2019-21, compared with 52% for all other programs. Washington Research Council
Per-student spending rose 37% from 2010-11 to 2017-18, the fastest growth of any state. Washington Research Council

6. Research: more money usually helps, modestly

Kirabo Jackson and Claire Mackevicius pooled 31 credibly causal studies of U.S. school spending. They estimate that raising spending by $1,000 per pupil for four years raises test scores by about 0.035 standard deviations, a small effect, with larger gains in graduation and college-going; effects were positive in the large majority of cases.

Limit: The studies cover many states and decades, not Washington specifically, and average effects can hide large differences in how money is used. Some researchers argue the effects are smaller than this synthesis suggests.

Verify: Jackson and Mackevicius, The Distribution of School Spending Impacts (NBER Working Paper 28517); published as What Impacts Can We Expect from School Spending Policy?, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics (2023)

Across 31 causal studies, $1,000 more per pupil for four years raises test scores by about 0.035 standard deviations. National Bureau of Economic Research · Qualifies
Effects on attainment are larger: about 1.92 points on graduation and 2.65 points on college-going. National Bureau of Economic Research · Qualifies
Of the 31 studies, 28 found positive effects of increased spending. National Bureau of Economic Research · Qualifies

7. Where the money went, and who checks it

Georgetown's Edunomics Lab found Washington school staffing grew about 20% over roughly a decade while enrollment grew less than 3%. OSPI says K-12's share of the state budget fell from 51.6% in 2019-21 to about 42% in 2026 House and Senate proposals; Superintendent Reykdal is now seeking nearly $2 billion more for 2027-29. The State Auditor's annual accountability audits test legal compliance: Moses Lake School District, for example, was found in 2026 not to have complied with state budget requirements. No routine audit links spending to student results.

Limit: OSPI's budget-share figures come from the agency seeking more money, and the 2025-27 numbers are proposals. The staffing figure covers about a decade before 2023 and does not split teachers from other staff. Audits cover individual districts, not the system as a whole.

Verify: PROOF POINTS: Schools staff up as student enrollment drops Reykdal: Budget Proposals Confirm Legislature does not Intend to Fully Fund K-12 Education (Feb. 23, 2026) Reykdal seeks $2B infusion for Washington public schools in next budget (Sept. 2026) Moses Lake School District did not comply with state budget requirements, had declining financial condition, audit finds (Mar. 19, 2026) Washington superintendent calls for more school funding as math scores lag

Washington school staffing rose about 20% over the decade while enrollment grew less than 3%. The Hechinger Report
The figures come from Georgetown University's Edunomics Lab. The Hechinger Report
K-12's share of the state budget fell from 51.6% in 2019-21 to 42.4% in the 2026 House proposal and 42.2% in the Senate's. Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction · Qualifies
Reykdal is asking for nearly $2 billion more for public schools in the 2027-29 budget. Oregon Public Broadcasting / Washington State Standard · Qualifies
$1.2 billion of the request is for ample funding of basic education under McCleary. Oregon Public Broadcasting / Washington State Standard · Qualifies
The State Auditor found Moses Lake School District did not comply with state budget requirements and had a declining financial condition. Washington State Auditor's Office
The audit reviewed a period in which the district's financial condition was in decline. Washington State Auditor's Office
Reykdal urged lawmakers to raise education funding, citing rising district costs, while math scores lag. KATU News
The Washington Policy Center said the state should examine how it spends education money before adding more. KATU News

Common questions

“Spending only looks higher because of inflation and a growing student population.”

Both were checked. NCES per-pupil figures in constant dollars rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19, versus 8% nationally, and they already divide by enrollment. Enrollment grew 9% to 2019 and has since fallen. One caveat: Washington is a high-cost state, and the CPI does not capture regional costs or school-specific costs like health insurance.

“Washington is a top performer on national tests, so '31st place results' is false.”

On NAEP, Washington is at or above average in most grades and subjects, which is why we rate the claim Mostly true rather than True. But 31st is a real ranking from a widely cited index, and eighth-grade math has slipped relative to other states.

“The decline shows money doesn't matter.”

The trend alone can't show that. Scores also fell nationally after 2019, and causal research finds sustained spending increases usually help. What the data do show is that large increases have not, by themselves, produced higher scores in Washington.

Conclusion

The post's core point checks out: Washington spends substantially more per student than it did a decade ago, even after inflation, while key results have declined. NCES data show inflation-adjusted current spending per pupil rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19, from $13,039 to $16,970 in 2022-23 dollars, against 8% nationally, taking Washington from about 10% below the U.S. average to 9% above it. Because these are per-student figures, population growth does not explain the increase; enrollment rose 9% to a 2019 peak and has fallen since. In fiscal 2024, Census data put Washington 17th among the states at $18,564 per pupil. Over a similar period, Washington's eighth-grade NAEP math average fell from 290 in 2013 to 274 in 2024, below its 2003 level, and the Kids Count Data Book's education rank fell from 20th in 2015 to 31st in 2026. We rate the claim Mostly true rather than True for three reasons. First, '31st' comes from one composite index that also counts preschool enrollment and on-time graduation; on NAEP, Washington still scores at or above the national average in most grades and subjects, with eighth-grade math the clear weak spot (14 states significantly ahead). Second, scores fell nationwide after 2019, so Washington's decline is not unique. Third, the CPI understates some school costs and does not adjust for Washington's high cost of living. The post's broader conclusion, that the problem is leadership and ideology and not money, goes beyond what the evidence can show. The best synthesis of causal research finds that sustained spending increases usually improve outcomes, modestly, and that how money is spent matters. Much of Washington's added money went to staff and salaries: staffing grew about 20% over roughly a decade while enrollment grew under 3%. At the same time, K-12's share of the state budget has fallen from 51.6% in 2019-21 to about 42% in 2026 proposals, by the superintendent's own figures, and districts face rising costs and shrinking enrollment. Existing audits check whether money is spent legally, not whether it improves learning. That gap is a fair accountability question; whether more money or different leadership would raise achievement remains unproven.

How we checked

Defined the claim as three numbers: per-pupil spending rank (17th), education rank (31st), and the rank a decade ago (20th).
Checked the spending rank against the Census Bureau's fiscal 2024 school finance data, measured spending growth with NCES per-pupil expenditures in constant 2022-23 dollars, checked enrollment against NCES state enrollment counts, and checked the education ranks against news reports of each Kids Count Data Book.
Added NAEP results from NCES state snapshot reports as an independent achievement measure not used in the post.
Reviewed evidence on spending growth, research on spending effects, staffing, budget share and State Auditor findings for the accountability question.
Put the numbers in a FactHub dataset with three charts, and recorded the limits of each source, including gaps where data could not be retrieved.

Editorial note: Scope: this article rates the post's claim that spending has grown while results declined, including its 17th, 31st and 20th figures, and reviews evidence on spending and accountability. It does not rate the post's description of the superintendent's political views or its conclusion that the cause is 'leadership and ideology', which the evidence cannot settle. Spending growth is measured with NCES inflation-adjusted per-pupil data through 2018-19 to avoid pandemic relief funds; the Census FY2024 figure is shown separately and not spliced into that series. A chart of K-12's share of the state budget was not included because only two data points could be verified.

Expert-review status

No external specialist review has been recorded.

Funding and conflicts

Funding: No external funding for this piece.

Ownership: Published by the FactHub Research Team.

Conflicts: None known.

Sources

Sources are labeled by kind, with what this fact check takes from each, so readers can check the evidence independently.

Government U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. School System Current Spending Per Pupil by Region: Fiscal Year 2024
State-by-state per-pupil current spending for fiscal 2024; the primary source for the 17th-place ranking.

Reliability: U.S. Census Bureau one-page graphic from the 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances showing FY2024 current spending per pupil for each state by region. It is the primary source for Washington's per-pupil figure and rank, but the state dollar labels are drawn as graphics, so only the title, national average and note can be searched as text.
- The Census Bureau chart reports FY2024 current spending per pupil by state, with a nationwide average of $17,619. The article reads Washington's bar as $18,564 (17th of 50); that value and rank are not in the PDF's extractable text.
  
  What the source says
  
  U.S. School System Current Spending Per Pupil by Region: Fiscal Year 2024 Nationwide Average: $17,619
  Page 1, chart title
- Qualifies: Current spending covers operating costs of pre-K-12 education and excludes debt service and capital outlay.
  
  What the source says
  
  Note: Current spending covers the operational costs of educating pre-K-12 students. This figure excludes expenditures for non-pre-K-12 programs, debt service, and capital outlay such as construction, land, and equipment.
  Page 1, chart note
Government U.S. Census Bureau. Public School Spending Per Pupil Reaches Historic High in 2024 (May 7, 2026)
Release giving the $17,619 national figure and the highest- and lowest-spending states.

Reliability: U.S. Census Bureau press release (May 7, 2026) announcing FY2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances results. It supplies the national per-pupil average and the highest- and lowest-spending states; the figures are not adjusted for inflation or cost of living.
- The Census Bureau released FY2024 school finance data on May 7, 2026; national current spending per pupil was $17,619.
  
  What the source says
  
  May 7, 2026 — Nationally, public school current spending per pupil rose 6.6% from $16,526 in fiscal year (FY) 2023 to $17,619 in FY 2024
  Body text, first paragraph
- New York spent the most per pupil ($31,918) and Idaho the least ($11,060).
  
  What the source says
  
  The states with the highest current spending per pupil were New York ($31,918), the District of Columbia ($31,529), Vermont ($28,818), New Jersey ($27,234) and Connecticut ($26,316). The states spending the least per pupil were Idaho ($11,060)
  Body text, second paragraph
FactHub record FactHub. Washington K-12 spending and outcomes dataset
The spending (nominal and inflation-adjusted), enrollment, Kids Count and NAEP figures used in this article, with sources and limitations.
- Washington's FY2024 per-pupil current spending of $18,564 ranks 17th of 50 states.
- Washington's real per-pupil spending rose 30% from 2010-11 to 2018-19 versus 8% nationally; enrollment peaked in fall 2019.
- Washington's Kids Count education rank: 20th (2015), 26th (2024), 27th (2025), 31st (2026).
- Washington's grade 8 NAEP math average: 281 (2003), 290 (2013), 274 (2024).
News report Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child). 2026 KIDS COUNT Spotlight: Big drop in WA education ranking
Reports Washington fell from 27th to 31st in the 2026 Kids Count education ranking, and OSPI's response.

Reliability: Washington State Standard article reposted by Seattle's Child (June 15, 2026) on the 2026 Annie E. Casey KIDS COUNT Data Book. It reports Washington's education rank and OSPI's objections to the ranking's methods.
- In the 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Washington fell from 27th to 31st in education, based on 2024 data.
  
  What the source says
  
  The new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows Washington dropped from 27th in the nation to 31st overall. The findings are based on data from 2024.
  Body text, second paragraph
- Qualifies: OSPI disputed the ranking, saying national reports can overlook state data differences and make unfair comparisons.
  
  What the source says
  
  National reports like these can overlook differences in individual states’ data collection, which can lead to unfair comparisons, said Katy Payne, chief strategy officer for the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  Body text, fifth paragraph
News report Seattle's Child. 2025 KIDS COUNT: Washington state's education rankings decline
Gives the 2025 rank (27th, from 26th) and Washington's values on the four education indicators.

Reliability: Seattle's Child article (June 9, 2025) summarizing the 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book for Washington. It reports the state's education rank and the underlying math-proficiency and preschool-enrollment figures.
- In the 2025 Data Book, Washington's education rank fell from 26th to 27th, and 70% of eighth graders scored below proficient in math (2024 data).
  
  What the source says
  
  its education ranking fell from 26th to 27th. In 2024, 68% of the state’s 4th graders scored below proficient in reading, and 70% of 8th graders scored below proficient in math
  Body text, second paragraph
- 57% of Washington 3- and 4-year-olds were not enrolled in preschool, compared with 54% nationally.
  
  What the source says
  
  In Washington, 57% of children aged 3 and 4 are not enrolled in preschool, compared to 54% nationally.
  Body text, second paragraph
News report Seattle's Child. KIDS COUNT 2024: WA must do better for kids
Gives Washington's 26th-place education rank in the 2024 Data Book.

Reliability: Seattle's Child article (June 10, 2024) on the 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book. It is the source for Washington's 26th-place education rank that year.
- The 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranked Washington 26th in education.
  
  What the source says
  
  the Evergreen State ranks 14th in the U.S. when it comes to kids’ overall well-being but in the bottom half of states (26th) in educational outcomes, particularly in math and reading.
  Body text, first paragraph
News report Washington State Standard (via Seattle's Child). WA is stuck mid-pack in national education ranking (June 2025)
Source for Washington ranking 20th in education ten years before the 2025 Data Book.

Reliability: Article published by Seattle's Child (June 15, 2025) on the 2025 KIDS COUNT education ranking. It gives Washington's rank ten years earlier and OSPI's objection to building rankings from NAEP data.
- Washington ranked 27th in education in the 2025 Data Book; ten years earlier it was 20th.
  
  What the source says
  
  The state ranks 27th, down one spot from last year, according to an analysis from the Annie E. Casey Foundation . Ten years ago, Washington was 20th.
  Body text, second paragraph
- Qualifies: OSPI objected that NAEP data should not be used to build state rankings.
  
  What the source says
  
  Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal’s office took issue with the rankings, arguing that the National Assessment of Educational Progress data the report is based on shouldn’t be used to construct such lists.
  Body text, third paragraph
Government National Center for Education Statistics. 2024 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8
Washington and national eighth-grade math scores for 2003, 2022 and 2024.

Reliability: NCES Nation's Report Card 2024 state snapshot for Washington grade 8 math (public schools). It is the primary source for Washington's 2024 and 2003 averages and the 2024 national average; the 2003 national figure (276) appears only as a trend-chart label.
- Qualifies: Washington's grade 8 NAEP math average was 274 in 2024, not significantly different from the national average of 272.
  
  What the source says
  
  In 2024, the average score of eighth-grade students in Washington was 274. This was not significantly different from the average score of 272 for students in the nation.
  Page 1, Overall Results
- Washington's 2024 score (274) was lower than its 2003 score (281).
  
  What the source says
  
  The average score for students in Washington in 2024 (274) was not significantly different from their average score in 2022 (276) and was lower than their average score in 2003 (281).
  Page 1, Overall Results
Government National Center for Education Statistics. 2019 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8
Scores for 2017 and 2019.

Reliability: NCES Nation's Report Card 2019 state snapshot for Washington grade 8 math. It supplies Washington's 2017 and 2019 averages.
- Qualifies: Washington's grade 8 math average was 286 in 2019, above the national 281.
  
  What the source says
  
  In 2019, the average score of eighth-grade students in Washington was 286. This was higher than the average score of 281 for students in the nation.
  Page 1, Overall Results
- The 2019 score was not significantly different from the 2017 score of 289.
  
  What the source says
  
  The average score for students in Washington in 2019 (286) was not significantly different from their average score in 2017 (289) and was higher than their average score in 2003 (281).
  Page 1, Overall Results
Government National Center for Education Statistics. 2015 Mathematics State Snapshot Report: Washington, Grade 8
Scores for 2013 and 2015.

Reliability: NCES Nation's Report Card 2015 state snapshot for Washington grade 8 math. It supplies Washington's 2013 peak (290) and 2015 average (287).
- Washington's grade 8 math average was 287 in 2015, down from 290 in 2013.
  
  What the source says
  
  The average score for students in Washington in 2015 (287) was lower than their average score in 2013 (290) and was higher than their average score in 2003 (281).
  Page 1, Overall Results
Party to the dispute Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. On National Test, Washington Students Continue to Perform on Par or Better Than Their Peers, but 8th Grade Math is a Significant Challenge
Lists how many states significantly outscored Washington on each 2024 NAEP test.

Reliability: Has a stake in this finding. OSPI news release (January 29, 2025) on 2024 NAEP results. OSPI, led by Superintendent Reykdal, runs the system whose results and funding are at issue and seeks more state money, so it has a stake in how results are framed.
- Qualifies: On the 2024 NAEP, 4 or 5 states significantly outscored Washington on three of the four tests, but 14 did in grade 8 math.
  
  What the source says
  
  The 2024 results show that only 5 states performed statistically significantly higher than Washington’s students in 4th grade reading, 4 states in 4th grade math, and 4 states in 8th grade reading; but 14 states in 8th grade math, a measurable decline for Washington’s middle school students.
  Body text, third paragraph
Other Washington Research Council. Years of increased spending on K-12 are showing up in the national rankings (Sept. 2, 2020)
Quantifies post-McCleary growth in state K-12 spending and per-pupil spending.

Reliability: Washington Research Council blog post by Emily Makings (September 2, 2020). WRC is a nonprofit fiscal research group; the post reports post-McCleary growth in state K-12 spending and Census per-pupil spending growth.
- After McCleary, state K-12 spending rose 110% from 2009-11 to 2019-21, compared with 52% for all other programs.
  
  What the source says
  
  In response to the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, the Legislature increased state spending on public schools by 110.0 percent from 2009–11 to 2019–21. (Spending on all other programs increased by just 52.0 percent.)
  Body text, first paragraph
- Per-student spending rose 37% from 2010-11 to 2017-18, the fastest growth of any state.
  
  What the source says
  
  Spending per student increased by 37.0 percent over SY 2010–11—the highest percentage growth over the period in the country.
  Body text, third paragraph
Academic National Bureau of Economic Research. Jackson and Mackevicius, The Distribution of School Spending Impacts (NBER Working Paper 28517); published as What Impacts Can We Expect from School Spending Policy?, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics (2023) Identifier: NBER w28517
Meta-analysis of causal studies on school spending and student outcomes.

Reliability: NBER Working Paper 28517 (Jackson and Mackevicius, February 2021, revised July 2021), a meta-analysis of 31 credibly causal U.S. school-spending studies. The paper states it has not been peer-reviewed.
- Qualifies: Across 31 causal studies, $1,000 more per pupil for four years raises test scores by about 0.035 standard deviations.
  
  What the source says
  
  on average, a $1000 increase in per-pupil public school spending (for four years) increases test scores by 0.0352
  Abstract (page 3)
- Qualifies: Effects on attainment are larger: about 1.92 points on graduation and 2.65 points on college-going.
  
  What the source says
  
  high school graduation by 1.92 percentage points, and college-going by 2.65 percentage points. These pooled averages are significant at the 0.0001 level.
  Abstract (page 3)
- Qualifies: Of the 31 studies, 28 found positive effects of increased spending.
  
  What the source says
  
  Across all 31 studies, 28 report positive impacts of school spending on student outcomes.
  Body text (page 27)
News report The Hechinger Report. PROOF POINTS: Schools staff up as student enrollment drops
Reports Georgetown Edunomics Lab data showing Washington staffing up 20% against under 3% enrollment growth.

Reliability: Hechinger Report "Proof Points" column (October 9, 2023) using Georgetown Edunomics Lab data. It reports Washington staffing growth versus enrollment growth over about the prior decade.
- Washington school staffing rose about 20% over the decade while enrollment grew less than 3%.
  
  What the source says
  
  Staffing is up 20 percent in Washington state but the number of students has risen by less than 3 percent.
  Body text
- The figures come from Georgetown University's Edunomics Lab.
  
  What the source says
  
  Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab documents the divergence between the growth of school staff and students.
  Body text, graph caption
Party to the dispute Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Reykdal: Budget Proposals Confirm Legislature does not Intend to Fully Fund K-12 Education (Feb. 23, 2026)
Gives K-12's share of the state budget: 51.6% in 2019-21, 42.4% and 42.2% in 2026 House and Senate proposals.

Reliability: Has a stake in this finding. OSPI news release (February 23, 2026) criticizing the 2026 House and Senate budget proposals. OSPI is arguing for more K-12 funding, so its budget-share figures come from an interested party.
- Qualifies: K-12's share of the state budget fell from 51.6% in 2019-21 to 42.4% in the 2026 House proposal and 42.2% in the Senate's.
  
  What the source says
  
  the share of the state budget dedicated to K–12 education has dropped from a peak of 51.6% in 2019–21 (right after our State Supreme Court mandated ample funding) to 42.4% in the House’s current proposal and 42.2% in the Senate’s.
  Body text
News report Oregon Public Broadcasting / Washington State Standard. Reykdal seeks $2B infusion for Washington public schools in next budget (Sept. 2026)
Reports the superintendent's request for nearly $2 billion more in the 2027-29 budget.

Reliability: OPB news article (September 12, 2026) on Superintendent Reykdal's 2027-29 budget request. It reports the size and parts of the request.
- Qualifies: Reykdal is asking for nearly $2 billion more for public schools in the 2027-29 budget.
  
  What the source says
  
  Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal wants Gov. Bob Ferguson and state lawmakers to provide nearly $2 billion more for public schools in the 2027-2029 budget that they will write in the coming legislative session.
  Body text
- Qualifies: $1.2 billion of the request is for ample funding of basic education under McCleary.
  
  What the source says
  
  Of the total, $1.2 billion is needed to amply fund education as set out in the state constitution and upheld by the state’s highest court in the landmark case known as McCleary.
  Body text
Government Washington State Auditor's Office. Moses Lake School District did not comply with state budget requirements, had declining financial condition, audit finds (Mar. 19, 2026)
Example of an accountability audit finding budget and spending-control problems in a district.

Reliability: Washington State Auditor's Office release (March 19, 2026) on its accountability audit of Moses Lake School District for September 2022 to August 2024. It is the official finding that the district did not comply with state budget requirements.
- The State Auditor found Moses Lake School District did not comply with state budget requirements and had a declining financial condition.
  
  What the source says
  
  Moses Lake School District did not comply with state budget requirements, had declining financial condition, audit finds
  Headline
- The audit reviewed a period in which the district's financial condition was in decline.
  
  What the source says
  
  The Office of the Washington State Auditor published an accountability audit of the Moses Lake School District today, reviewing a tumultuous period in which the district’s financial condition was in decline.
  Body text, first paragraph
News report KATU News. Washington superintendent calls for more school funding as math scores lag
The report the post responds to, with the superintendent's funding request and the Washington Policy Center's response.

Reliability: KATU news story (October 8, 2026) on Superintendent Reykdal's call for more school funding as math scores lag. It also carries the Washington Policy Center's response.
- Reykdal urged lawmakers to raise education funding, citing rising district costs, while math scores lag.
  
  What the source says
  
  Reykdal also urged lawmakers to increase education funding, arguing that school districts face rising costs for insurance, utilities and other basic services.
  Body text
- The Washington Policy Center said the state should examine how it spends education money before adding more.
  
  What the source says
  
  Dr. Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center said the state should closely examine how it spends education dollars before committing more money.
  Body text
Government National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 236.65: Current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment, by state
Per-pupil spending by state in unadjusted and constant 2022-23 dollars; the source for inflation-adjusted growth.

Reliability: NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 236.65: current expenditures per pupil by state in unadjusted and constant 2022-23 dollars. It is the source for Washington and U.S. inflation-adjusted per-pupil figures for 2010-11 and 2018-19.
- In constant 2022-23 dollars, Washington's current spending per pupil rose from $13,039 (2010-11) to $16,970 (2018-19), vs. $14,453 and $15,606 for the U.S. The figures are table cells, so the table title is quoted.
  
  What the source says
  
  Table 236.65. Current expenditures per pupil in fall enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state or jurisdiction: Selected school years, 1969-70 through 2020-21
  Table title
- Qualifies: The "Constant 2022-23 dollars" columns are adjusted using the CPI on a school-year basis.
  
  What the source says
  
  Constant dollars based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, adjusted to a school-year basis.
  Table footnote 2 (to the "Constant 2022-23 dollars" column heading)
Government National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 203.20: Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state
Washington public school enrollment, fall 2011 to fall 2022, with projections.

Reliability: NCES Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 203.20: public school enrollment by state, fall 1990 through projected fall 2031. It is the source for Washington's fall 2019 peak and fall 2022 enrollment.
- Washington public school enrollment peaked at 1,142,073 in fall 2019 and was 1,090,227 in fall 2022. The figures are table cells under "Actual total enrollment", so the table title is quoted.
  
  What the source says
  
  Table 203.20. Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by region, state, and jurisdiction: Selected years, fall 1990 through fall 2031
  Table title
FactHub dataset Washington K-12 spending and outcomes: per-pupil spending (nominal and inflation-adjusted), enrollment, Kids Count rank, NAEP math
- Tables: per-pupil-fy2024
  
  Saved analysis per-pupil-ranked
- Tables: nces-ppe-real
  
  Saved analysis real-ppe-trend
- Tables: wa-enrollment
  
  Saved analysis wa-enrollment-trend
- Tables: kc-education-rank
  
  Saved analysis kc-rank-series
- Tables: naep-g8-math
  
  Saved analysis naep-g8-math-trend
FactHub chart wa-per-pupil-spending-rank-fy2024
FactHub chart wa-kids-count-education-rank
FactHub chart wa-naep-grade8-math-trend
FactHub chart wa-real-per-pupil-spending-trend
FactHub chart wa-public-school-enrollment

Update history

October 22, 2026 Disclosure standardized.
October 22, 2026 Sources migrated to the current format: each source now records the passage the article relies on and a reliability note, and evidence cites those passages. No findings changed.
October 14, 2026 First draft.
October 14, 2026 Version 2: simplified the title and reframed the rated claim around spending growth versus results; added inflation-adjusted per-pupil spending and enrollment evidence with two new charts; updated summary, key points, conclusion and the cost objection.

Cited by

Article Most No on 645 money comes from unions paid through the state budget. Cites version 2 of this article.
Article Washington's spending growth beyond inflation is 5-9 times the millionaires tax's 2027-29 revenue Cites version 2 of this article.
Briefing I-645: what it does, and what each side claims

Version details

The exact citing versions, and the version of this article each cites.

Article i645-no-campaign-union-funding — version 5 (published) cites version 2
Article i645-no-campaign-union-funding — version 4 (published) cites version 2
Article wa-spending-growth-vs-millionaires-tax — version 6 (published) cites version 2
Briefing wa-i-645 — version 6 (published) cites version 3
Briefing wa-i-645 — version 4 (published) cites version 2

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","url":"https://facthub.org/n/article/wa-school-spending-results/3","datePublished":"2026-10-14","dateModified":"2026-10-14","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"FactHub","url":"https://facthub.org/"},"claimReviewed":"Washington\u0027s school spending has grown while its education results have declined, from 20th to 31st nationally.","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","alternateName":"Mostly true"},"image":"https://facthub.org/node-assets-v2/article/wa-school-spending-results/3/classroom-illustration/social-1200x630.jpg"}

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Technical details: node handle article:wa-school-spending-results

Washington's school spending outpaced inflation as test results slipped.

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