Washington



State Governance

State Board of Education

The Washington state board of education consists of 14 members, each serving up to two four-year terms. Five board members are elected by local school board members, and seven are appointed by the governor and must be approved by the senate. Two additional board members are alternatively appointed: one is elected by private schools, and another is the state superintendent. Additionally, two students serve two-year terms as nonvoting members.

The state board of education has the authority over:

  • Summative Assessments (Shared Authority)
  • Overseeing Authorization of Charter Schools

Governor

Jay Inslee (D)

Chief State School Officer

Chris Reykdal

Elected by a nonpartisan ballot

State Context

State Demographics

Public Education Enrollment by Special Populations:

Free and Reduced Price Lunch: 46.3%

English Language Learners: 9.4%

Served by IDEA: 12.5%

 

2015 NAEP State Data

Reading scores for Grade 4 by state average, race/ethnicity, and NSLP-eligibility compared to the national average:

 

Reading scores for Grade 4 by race/ethnicity between 2003 and 2015, additional national average data is included:

 

Mathematics scores for Grade 8 by state average, race/ethnicity, and NSLP-eligibility compared to the national average:

 

Mathematics scores for Grade 8 by race/ethnicity between 2003 and 2015, additional national average data is included:

 

Science scores for Grade 8 by state average, race/ethnicity, and NSLP-eligibility compared to the national average:

 

Graduation Rates

 

Adjusted cohort graduation rate between 2011 and 2015:

 

ESSA Plan & Implementation

Learn about Washington’s ESSA plan.