At Tuesday’s K–12 Zoom meeting, WFIS shared some of the local opposition to the ECCA, the federal tax credit scholarship program signed into law earlier this year. Beginning in January 2027, taxpayers may redirect up to $1,700 of their federal taxes to support education through Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These funds can be used for private school scholarships or to enhance public school offerings such as tutoring, afterschool programs, and educational materials. However, for Washington students to benefit, the Governor must opt in. If our state declines, residents may still participate—but their redirected tax dollars would flow to SGOs in other states.
Despite the program’s potential to benefit students across Washington, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has publicly opposed it, often mischaracterizing private schools in his criticism. WFIS is actively working to correct the record and counter Reykdal’s narrative in both the press and public discourse.
For Governor Ferguson to decide to opt in to the federal tax credit program, he will need to hear directly from schools, parents, and students across both the public and private education sectors. Allowing Washington taxpayers’ dollars to fund education programs in other states—while denying those same opportunities to students here at home—runs counter to the stated goals of OSPI and our state legislators to prioritize equity and student support.
