On Sept. 4, Washington’s state Supreme Court became the first in the nation to find a charter school law unconstitutional. Some key background:
Washington is the only state in the US to marshal five civic engagement campaigns to get a parental choice measure put to a statewide vote: Initiative 173 (Scholarship Vouchers) and Initiative 174 (Charter Schools) in 1996, Initiative 729 (Charter School Act) in 2000, and referendum 55 (Charter School Authorization) in 2004. Although each initiative failed at the ballot box, they collectively laid the foundation for approval of the state’s charter law in 2012.
The ruling draws on precedents from an era when log cabins housed 132 Washington State schools. It romanticizes an outdated version of local control while overturning a statewide vote.
State officials and charter proponents want the court to reconsider its ruling. Fundamentally, it identifies “an accounting problem, not an educational problem.” But Washington faces a deeper crisis over education funding and striking teachers. Leaders like Gov. Jay Inslee say they aren’t in a hurry to fix the problem found by the court.
I opposed the initiative that created charter schools because I did not believe that public money belongs in schools that lack public oversight and accountability. That remains my position. We must have accountability for all taxpayer money spent on education, particularly at a time when the Court has ruled that we have consistently failed to adequately fund public schools.
Like private schools, charter schools are accountable to parents, who can send their children elsewhere if they aren’t satisfied. Like other public schools, they are accountable to the state for teaching its academic standards. In addition, they’re held to performance contracts. If charter schools lack “accountability,” what does the word even mean?
Meanwhile…
The notion Washington justices were swayed by campaign cash gets some much-needed scrutiny.
Baltimore charters sue over funding.
Poor and homeless children have longer trips to school.
Charter schools can be good for teachers, too. (See also).
Another lawsuit threatens Nevada’s new parental choice program.
Memphis explores more charter conversions. A feud erupts around a Nashville charter school’s reading assignment.
One man’s quest to launch a successful charter.
Liberals should embrace alternatives to neighborhood schools.
Meet the Voucher Left
ICYMI, the series intro is here. Since then, the series has explored an early conception of something very ESA-like, and an anti-war, pro-school choice manifesto. Coming Tuesday: A conversation with Marcus Brandon, who previously shared his story here. Don’t miss a post! Sign up for weekly #VoucherLeft updates.
Tweets of the week
Just chatted w/ striking teacher who is also outraged over charter supreme court decision. These are not conflicting ideals.
— Robin Lake (@RbnLake) September 11, 2015
Scene at #saveWAcharterschools rally at #SummitSierra charter school now. #waedu #waleg pic.twitter.com/N1inrs1RPx
— Joshua Trujillo (@joshtrujillo) September 11, 2015
Quote of the Week
There is more accountability in this public charter school sector than exists anywhere else in the state of Washington.
—Thomas Franta, executive director of the Washington Charter Schools Association, according to Education Week.
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