WA Lawmakers Debate Accountability With Days Left To Save Charter Schools

WA Lawmakers Debate Accountability with Days Left to Save Charter Schools

The Washington Supreme Court’s decision regarding the state’s charter schools has sparked a battle that extends beyond the Seattle and Spokane areas where the schools are located. Ed Pacheco, a resident of the Yakima Valley, testified in front of the House Education Committee in Olympia to advocate for charter schools in his community. Pacheco emphasized the importance of offering this educational option to Latino students in the Yakima Valley who are currently struggling in traditional public schools. Despite opposition from some, many charter school students and parents at the hearing testified about the positive impact that charter schools have had on their education.

Pacheco and others believe that charter schools can help address the achievement gap and provide excellent education opportunities for communities with low-income and minority populations. However, opponents argue that traditional public schools can also achieve similar results if properly funded and held accountable. Former state representative Marcie Maxwell highlighted the success of various public schools in Tacoma that focus on STEM subjects and the arts.

Although some argue that charter schools are not the only innovative option for education, students at the hearing shared personal experiences of how charter schools have helped them succeed academically. Data from the Washington State Charter Schools Association revealed that charter school students who were below grade level upon enrollment have made significant progress in reading and math compared to their national peers.

Overall, supporters of charter schools, such as Pacheco, believe that they provide a pathway to success for students who would otherwise not have access to quality education. The discussion surrounding charter schools in Washington state will continue as lawmakers consider a bill that aims to redirect funding to charter schools through the state’s Opportunity Pathways Account. However, opponents, including the teachers union, argue that the bill is similar to the one that was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

The proposed legislation in the Senate aims to restore the Washington Charter Commission, which functions as a governing body for charter schools in the state. The commission members are appointed by the governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House.

Charter schools are held to the same standards as other public schools in terms of facilities, academic criteria, teacher certification, and civil rights obligations. This information on accountability was provided to state lawmakers by advocates of charter schools. After going through the application process, a charter school enters into a contract with either the state or the school district’s authorizer. This contract entails oversight of financial, academic, and organizational performance and necessitates the charter to reapply for authorization every five years.

In a study conducted in January 2015, Washington’s charter law was ranked fourth in the nation in terms of its adherence to 20 national standards that promote best practices in charter regulations.

During the Senate hearings, a majority of the testimonies expressed support for charter schools. However, during Friday’s House hearing, the number of panels expressing support and opposition to the bill appeared to be equally divided.

Opposition to charter schools argued that they take away funding from public schools. However, Alice Lara, a retired public school teacher with over 30 years of experience in Tacoma and Yakima, countered this argument by stating that the current traditional school model does not always allow for innovation.

Lara explained that teachers are unable to deviate from the structured curriculum and lack the flexibility and time to adapt their teaching strategies to different learning styles. She attributed these limitations to class sizes and the training provided to teachers.

Due to the large number of people who had signed up to testify, committee members refrained from asking questions until the end of the one-hour hearing. One of the main themes raised during questioning was why the successes of charter schools could not be replicated within the existing traditional public school system.

Representative Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee, posed the question of whether there were any structural barriers within the law that prevent public school districts from implementing similar approaches. He noted that if such barriers exist, it would indicate a policy problem. Alternatively, if the districts have the capacity but are not implementing these approaches, it would be a personnel, school board, or community issue.

The House Education Committee is scheduled to reconvene on February 25 for an executive session to vote on the bill. The legislative session will conclude on March 10.