This week, Washington's state Legislature passed a measure that could breathe new life into charter schools by changing their funding source. The goal is to help them comply with a court ruling that threatened their existence last fall.
The fate of the legislation, passed after a major lobbying blitz by students and parents, now rests with Gov. Jay Inslee. As the Spokesman Review points out, it's not assured that the high court will accept the change, and a deeper debate over education funding may loom in the state.
Still, Thursday's eleventh-hour legislative vote was one of several attempts around the country to legalize different forms of school choice.
More states, in other words, are bringing their laws more in line with parents' and students' stated school preferences.
Meanwhile...
There's new political momentum to keep D.C. vouchers going.
Douglas County, Colo. moves to preserve its school voucher program by removing religious schools.
Is educational customization the cure for chronic absenteeism?
We asked: Who will put these charter school lies to rest? He answered.
More calls to lift the charter school cap in Massachusetts.
A report looks the health of the charter school movement. Here's our take.
Why is national education leadership so white?
Arizona's school choice programs are less widely used by Latino children and other disadvantaged groups.
"Charters are not the only way we will improve public education, but they can be one powerful way."
Achievement at a Kansas City charter school is off the charts.
Cracking down on charter school "authorizer shopping."
The voucher regulation debate continues here and here.
An ed reformer's case for a broader curriculum.
What will happen when charter school parents outnumber teachers union members in the Democratic Party's base?
Quote of the Week
"I am relieved that now I can just focus on schoolwork and not have to worry if I will have to transfer schools and what my future at school will look like."
- Gilly King, student, Summit Sierra charter school in Seattle.
Tweet of the Week
Here's @Claytoonz take on Washington's charter school bill passage. pic.twitter.com/Qc0Zq816qo
— Kate Riley (@k8riley) March 11, 2016
This week in school choice is our weekly rundown of school choice news and notes from around the country. It appears on our blog early Monday morning, but you can subscribe to get it on Sundays here. Please send tips, links, suggestions or criticism to tpillow[at]sufs[dot]org.
