It’s taken a week to count the votes, but yesterday proponents of Washington state’s Initiative 1240, which will allow up to 40 charter schools to open over the next five years, declared victory. This makes Washington the 42nd state to approve charter schools. Only Alabama, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia do not have legislation allowing for charters.
Charter schools are independent, privately run but publicly funded schools that are accountable for student achievement. That is, if student achievement goals are not met consistently then the charter school faces closure. Opponents of charter schools claim that these schools “cherry pick” only the top performing students from local district schools. However, that is simply not the case as most charter schools use lotteries for student selection making enrollment the luck of the draw for all students.
Additionally, charter school opponents claim that charters perform no better than local district schools and may actually take funds away from those local district schools. Although some charters have not been as successful as expected, many charter schools are outperforming local district schools and providing students with the quality education they deserve – and one that is free.
Regardless of these criticisms, charter schools provide parents an option other than their local district schools, especially failing schools. Parents and students in Washington will now have that option, as well. However, the law may still face a legal challenge from the head of the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Rand Dorn, who argues that the state’s constitution requires all public schools to be under his department’s jurisdiction. Proponents of the law believe it will withstand this challenge. Either way, it is clear that Washington has taken a step in the right direction to improve public education through choice.
Additionally, charter school opponents claim that charters perform no better than local district schools and may actually take funds away from those local district schools. Although some charters have not been as successful as expected, many charter schools are outperforming local district schools and providing students with the quality education they deserve – and one that is free.
Regardless of these criticisms, charter schools provide parents an option other than their local district schools, especially failing schools. Parents and students in Washington will now have that option, as well. However, the law may still face a legal challenge from the head of the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Rand Dorn, who argues that the state’s constitution requires all public schools to be under his department’s jurisdiction. Proponents of the law believe it will withstand this challenge. Either way, it is clear that Washington has taken a step in the right direction to improve public education through choice.
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