Jenny Plaja Chief Policy and Legislative Affairs Officer | Washington Office Of Superintendent Of Public Instruction
OLYMPIA—June 16, 2025—Students in Washington state are required to complete High School and Beyond Plans (HSBP) as part of their graduation requirements. These plans, which begin in the 7th grade, are adjusted throughout middle and high school to reflect changing interests.
In 2023, the Washington state Legislature mandated a universal online HSBP platform. Previously, more than a dozen different platforms were used across various districts, leading to inconsistencies in resources available to students based on their location. Students transferring between districts often had to restart their plans due to differing platforms. SchooLinks, Inc. was selected in May 2024 as the vendor for this universal platform, with all districts required to transition by fall 2026.
However, recent legislative budget cuts affected nearly $100 million in grants and programs offered by school districts and education partners. This situation prompted State Superintendent Chris Reykdal to allocate limited discretionary funds from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to support district use of the universal platform for an additional year until legislative funding is secured.
“Utilizing a universal High School and Beyond Plan platform is not only incredibly beneficial for our students and their futures—it is required of districts by law,” said Reykdal. “My agency has a limited amount of discretionary funding to keep this platform up and running for one more year. The Legislature has an obligation to provide permanent funding for this statutory requirement, and we will be back in Olympia in the supplemental session to request it."
The continuation of access to the HSBP platform provides students and families with consistent opportunities for future planning. It also serves as a tool for state budgeting efforts.
“The High School and Beyond Platform is a valuable tool for our students, their families, and our state as a whole,” Reykdal added. He expressed gratitude towards legislators prioritizing the use of this universal platform while urging them to make its funding a priority next session.
For further information on the initiative or about SchooLinks' role as the chosen vendor, resources are available online including videos explaining "Why SchooLinks?"
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