Student transportation in Washington: FAQ for district transportation leaders
Answers to common questions from Washington transportation directors, with a link to the official source for every answer. Updated October 2026. State rules change, so confirm details with OSPI before you act on them.
How does Washington fund student transportation?
OSPI uses the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS). It compares district characteristics with statewide transportation spending to set each allocation. Inputs include students riding basic program buses, riders in special programs, distance from stops to schools, number of schools served and district land area.
Source: OSPI, Student Transportation Allocation Determination
When do districts count riders?
The Student Transportation Operations Report collects the number of students transported between home and school and the location of each bus stop. Districts pick 3 consecutive school days as the count period. The fall report is due by the last business day of October.
Source: OSPI, Student Transportation Operations Report instructions
Is the allocation based on this year or last year?
OSPI describes payments that start from prior-year data and are adjusted in February to reflect current-year reported data.
Source: OSPI, Student Transportation Allocation Determination
How is enrollment counted for funding?
Districts count enrollment on the fourth school day of September and the first school day of each other month. Most programs are paid on average annual full-time equivalent (AAFTE) enrollment.
Source: OSPI, Student Enrollment FAQ
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