Does Washington Need Charter Schools?

There are currently several major bills in the Legislature which would authorize public charter schools in Washington. We are one of only eight states that still prohibit charter schools. Both the Governor (HB2606) and the Superintendent of Public Schools have offered bills, and 2 additional bi-partisan bills (HB2428/SB6202) have been introduced.

What are public charter schools and why is there so much interest in them now for Washington State?

Public charter schools receive public money (like all public schools), but are exempt from some of the rules that apply to other public schools in exchange for accountability for producing results, which are set in the school’s contract, or charter. Charter schools are tuition-free, attended by choice, and may or may not be subject to collective bargaining.

The bi-partisan bills being considered place both annual and total limits on the numbers of charters that would be allowed in Washington. They require that only non-profit charter management organizations run the schools, that the majority of charters focus on educationally-disadvantaged students (kids in failing schools), and allow site-based collective bargaining.

Why does Washington need this?

I will let Lisa Macfarlane, who used to be a charter opponent, explain. Lisa is the Washington State Director for Democrats for Education Reform, a co-founder of the League of Education Voters, a past President of Schools First (Seattle's levy and bond committee), and the sponsor of two statewide education funding initiatives:

“Because the status quo is keeping our poor and minority kids at an educational
disadvantage.

"Because it is unconscionable that an African American kid growing up in South Seattle or South King currently has an 11% chance of getting a college degree or career credential. The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that, by 2018, 67% of the jobs in Washington State will require a college degree or a career credential. In the meantime, our region's high paying jobs are going to kids from other states and other countries.

Our achievement gaps are unacceptable and unconscionable. If we stay on our current path, Washington will close its achievement gaps in 105 years, according to the Center on Education Policy. States more committed to education reform, like Louisiana, will close their gaps in 12.5 years.

Charter school advocates are the first to admit that there are both good and bad charter schools, which are serving a higher proportion of minority and low income students than traditional public schools. But let's be honest. The high quality public charter schools, like K.I.P.P., Aspire, YES Prep, and Uncommon Schools are making major headway on helping disadvantaged kids succeed. They have given thousands of low-income and minorities kids a fantastic education and, as a result, have changed the trajectory of their lives.

Washington has precious few traditional public schools serving the needs of low-income and minority students. A few good high achieving charters serving the kids in our high poverty communities would give us the proof points we so desperately need. The bill that is before the Washington legislature is very different from the ones voters turned down in the past. It focuses on educationally disadvantaged students and it takes advantage of the lessons learned in other states about the need for a strong authorizing environment.”

Let your legislators know how you feel about allowing public charter schools in Washington. Northshore is served by Legislators from the 1st and 45th Districts.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/MembersByDistrict.aspx

Bill Reports:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/2428%20HBA%20ED%2012.pdf

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6202%20SBA%20EDU%2012.pdf

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/2606%20HBA%20ED%2012.pdf