Our Programs
Free workshops that teach you to understand WA’s K-12 funding and to code and analyze public data, then turn it into civic action.
OUR WORKSHOPS
How the Workshops Work
Use AI tools and public data to understand how Washington funds its schools, then turn what you learn into civic action.
01
Funding Basics
Understand where the money for public schools actually comes from.
- →State revenue: the majority of school funding in Washington
- →Local levies: voter-approved property taxes that fund local schools
- →Federal funding: Title I and school lunch, and why it matters most for low-income and rural districts
02
McCleary & the Prototypical Model
See how a landmark lawsuit still shapes how schools are funded today.
- →The McCleary case (2007-2012): the state ruled to be underfunding education
- →The Prototypical Funding Model: how the state estimates staff, materials, and resources
- →Levy caps and HB 2049 (2025) - why now is the time to act
03
Explore the WA K-12 Funding Model
Use AI tools to break down how Washington funds its 295 school districts.
- →Funding Tracker: explore the data across all 295 districts
- →Funding Flow: how state, local, and federal money reaches the classroom
- →Special cases & formulas: Special Education, MSOC, and Transportation
04
District Dive
Investigate your own district with real, public data.
- →Open k12funding.org and select your district (e.g. Bellevue)
- →Explore per-student spending, FRL rates, and funding statistics
- →Find a gap or surprising stat and be ready to share it
05
Use Your Voice
Turn what you learned into a civic action you actually deliver.
- →Draft a public comment for a school board meeting
- →Draft testimony or a letter to your state legislators
- →Structure it: intro, personal story, evidence, and a call to action
06
Keep Engaging
Find ongoing ways to stay involved beyond the workshop.
- →Meet officials and superintendents, and write to your representatives
- →Join a Youth Advisory Council or your school's debate club
- →Start a project or organization around a cause you care about
Bring these workshops to your school
Free. Open to all grades. Available for classrooms, clubs, and community organizations across Washington.
Request a Workshop