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.