Wash. Rev. Code » Title 28A · Chapter 28A.150
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.150.200 (2026)

Program of basic education

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) The program of basic education established under this chapter is deemed by the legislature to comply with the requirements of Article IX, section 1 of the state Constitution, which states that "It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex," and is adopted pursuant to Article IX, section 2 of the state Constitution, which states that "The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools."
(2) The legislature defines the program of basic education under this chapter as that which is necessary to provide the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the state-established high school graduation requirements that are intended to allow students to have the opportunity to graduate with a meaningful diploma that prepares them for postsecondary education, gainful employment, and citizenship. Basic education by necessity is an evolving program of instruction intended to reflect the changing educational opportunities that are needed to equip students for their role as productive citizens and includes the following:
(a) The instructional program of basic education the minimum components of which are described in RCW 28A.150.220;
(b) The program of education provided by chapter 28A.190 RCW for students in residential schools as defined by RCW 28A.190.005 and for juveniles in detention facilities as identified by RCW 28A.190.010;
(c) The program of education provided by chapter 28A.193 RCW for individuals under the age of eighteen who are incarcerated in adult correctional facilities;
(d) Transportation and transportation services to and from school for eligible students as provided under RCW 28A.160.150 through 28A.160.180; and
(e) Statewide salary allocations necessary to hire and retain qualified staff for the state's statutory program of basic education.
[ 2021 c 164 s 2; 2017 3rd sp.s. c 13 s 401; 2009 c 548 s 101; 1990 c 33 s 104; 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 1. Formerly RCW 28A.58.750.]

Notes:

Findings—Intent—2021 c 164: See note following RCW 28A.190.005.
Effective date—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13 ss 401-413: "Sections 401 through 413 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect September 1, 2017." [ 2017 3rd sp.s. c 13 s 414.]
Intent—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 28A.150.410.
Collective bargaining agreements not impaired—2017 3rd sp.s. c 13: See note following RCW 41.56.139.
Effective date—2009 c 548 ss 101-110 and 701-710: "Sections 101 through 110 and 701 through 710 of this act take effect September 1, 2011." [ 2009 c 548 s 804.]
Intent—2009 c 548: See RCW 28A.150.1981.
Finding—2009 c 548: See note following RCW 28A.410.270.
Intent—Finding—2009 c 548: See note following RCW 28A.305.130.
Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 359: "This 1977 amendatory act shall take effect September 1, 1978." [ 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 22.]
Severability—1977 ex.s. c 359: "If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1977 ex.s. c 359 s 21.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2000–2023 · leading case: Fed. Way Sch. Dist. No. 210 v. State, 219 P.3d 941 (Wash. 2009).
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Fed. Way Sch. Dist. No. 210 v. State, 219 P.3d 941 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 3× “RCW 28A.150.200, amended by Laws of 2009, ch.”
Tunstall v. Bergeson, 5 P.3d 691 (Wash. 2000). · cites it 2× “See RCW 28A.150.200. 11 This is clearly demonstrated by the Legislature’s subsequent enactment of chapter 28A.”
Fed. Way Sch. Dist. No. 210 v. State, 167 Wash. 2d 514 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “RCW 28A.150.200, amended by Laws of 2009, ch.”
Tunstall Ex Rel. Tunstall v. Bergeson, 5 P.3d 691 (Wash. 2000). · cites it 3× “See RCW 28A.150.200. [11] This is clearly demonstrated by the Legislature's subsequent enactment of chapter 28A.”
Brown v. State, 119 P.3d 341 (Wash. 2005). “150.220, .260. ¶ 6 The State pays the base salaries of all teachers and staff it requires school districts to employ for all 180 instructional days that it deems necessary to provide a basic education.”
Brown v. State, 155 Wash. 2d 254 (Wash. 2005). “¶5 The legislature has chosen to discharge its responsibility to provide a general and uniform system of education through The Washington Basic Education Act of 1977 (Basic Education Act), RCW 28A.150.200 through .510. The Basic Education Act, among other things, requires school…”
Sch. Districts'All. for Adequate Funding of Special Educ. v. State, 202 P.3d 990 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “Basic Education Act ¶ 11 In 1977, the legislature adopted the Washington Basic Education Act of 1977, RCW 28A.150.200, which provides for an annual BEA of state funds based on the average full-time equivalent student enrollment in each school district.”
Sch. Districts' All. for Adequate Funding of Special Educ. v. State, 149 Wash. App. 241 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). “Basic Education Act ¶11 In 1977, the legislature adopted the Washington Basic Education Act of 1977, RCW 28A.150.200, which provides for an annual BEA of state funds based on the average full-time equivalent student enrollment in each school district.”
League of Women Voters of Washington v. State, 355 P.3d 1131 (Wash. 2015). “380(1) (“The state legislature shall, at each regular session in an odd-numbered year, appropriate for the current use of the common schools such amounts as needed for state support to school districts during the ensuing biennium for the program of basic education under RCW…”
Grace v. Olympia Sch. Dist. (W.D. Wash. 2021). · cites it 2× “” RCW 28A.150.200(1). Importantly, “transportation and 10 transportation services to and from school for eligible students” are included within this 11 definition.”
Wahkiakum Sch. Dist. No. 200 v. State (Wash. 2023). “RCW 28A.150.200(2). Additionally, RCW 28A.”
Impact Pub. Schs., V. State Charter Sch. Comm'n (Wash. Ct. App. 2023). “The Washington Basic Education Act of 1977 (BEA), RCW 28A.150.200, generally requires public schools be accessible to “all students who are five years of age .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.150.200(1) — 1 case
Grace v. Olympia Sch. Dist. (W.D. Wash. 2021). “” RCW 28A.150.200(1). Importantly, “transportation and 10 transportation services to and from school for eligible students” are included within this 11 definition.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.150.200(2) — 1 case
Wahkiakum Sch. Dist. No. 200 v. State (Wash. 2023). “RCW 28A.150.200(2). Additionally, RCW 28A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.150.200(2)(d) — 1 case
Grace v. Olympia Sch. Dist. (W.D. Wash. 2021). “” RCW 28A.150.200(1). Importantly, “transportation and 10 transportation services to and from school for eligible students” are included within this 11 definition.”
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