H-2459.3
HOUSE BILL 2138
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Keaton, Richards, Ley, Jacobsen, Graham, Marshall, and Couture
Prefiled 12/15/25. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee on Education.
AN ACT Relating to improving student performance and success with evidence-based practices, accountability standards, and transparency measures; amending RCW 28A.320.202 , 28A.300.530 , 28A.300.570 , 28A.150.220 , 28A.300.720 , 28A.320.260 , 28A.415.265 , 28A.655.230 , 28A.655.235 , and 28B.10.033 ; adding a new section to chapter 28A.630 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 28A.410 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.710 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.715 RCW; creating new sections; recodifying RCW 28A.320.202 and 28B.10.033 ; repealing RCW 28A.300.290 , 28A.300.300 , 28A.300.330 , 28A.300.340 , 28A.410.285 , 28A.415.350 , 28A.415.360 , and 28A.415.400 ; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that a significant number of Washington's students are struggling to meet grade-level standards in core academic areas. As of 2025, 60 percent of Washington's students are failing to meet grade-level standards in math and 50 percent are failing in English language arts. This persistent underperformance poses a critical challenge to the academic success and future opportunities of Washington's students.
(2) The legislature further finds that literacy is the foundation upon which all other academic success is built. Yet, concerningly, 36 percent of third grade students and 40 percent of fourth grade students read at below grade level. Learning to read and write is a core element of the state's statutory program of basic education, and these foundational skills are necessary for success in all other subjects. Around the fourth grade, students must transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn," where they rely on reading skills to access information in subjects like science and social studies. If students do not achieve strong literacy skills by this critical stage, their ability to succeed academically in all subjects will be severely compromised.