Oregon Public Broadcasting

The state of Washington is not providing sufficient funding for basic funding. That's the ruling Thursday from a Superior Court Judge in King County.

The decision is a triumph for a group of parents, school districts, and education advocates who filed the lawsuit.

Judge John Erlick ruled the state legislature has made progress in school funding, but spending remains inadequate.

Democratic Representative Ross Hunter says while it may be a loss for the state but itís a win for schools.

Ross Hunter: "Changing things in Olympia is a slow process. But with the impetus of a lawsuit telling us that we have to actually make big progress, you have to put how we fund basic education into the context of that."

The Washington Attorney General's office argued the state is fulfilling its constitutional duty to provide basic education.

State attorneys are considering whether to appeal.

Democratic state Senator Rosemary McAuliffe, who chairs a key education committee, says she expects the case will land in the Washington Supreme Court.