Charter Schools Come to Washington
2004-07
In March 2004, Washington became the 41st state to authorize charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that are privately run and are exempt from many state and federal rules governing traditional public schools. Like other public schools, charter schools are funded by public education money and do not charge tuition.
Proponents say charter schools allow educators to escape the bureaucracy entangling other public schools and find creative solutions for struggling students. Opponents say such schools drain money from traditional public schools and lack accountability. In the midst of this debate, the charter school movement has grown rapidly since it began a little over a decade ago. Currently, there are 2,967 charter schools throughout the U.S., enrolling about 687,000 students.
Because of strong opposition from the teacher’s union (Washington Education Association), the Washington legislature’s repeated attempts in the past decade to authorize charter schools failed to clear both Houses. In addition, voter initiatives in 1996 and 2000 both failed at the ballot box.
Eventually, in 2004 a bill authorizing 45 charter schools over the next six years in Washington passed both houses in the last days of the 60-day state legislature. Governor Gary Locke, who supported the legislation, signed it into law on March 18. Before becoming a reality in Washington, charter schools may have one more hurdle to clear as the Washington Education Association (WEA) plans to challenge the new law with a referendum on the November ballot.
The recently passed charter school legislation authorizes a limited number of charter schools in Washington with the narrowly focused purpose of helping disadvantaged students. The guidelines about who can run a charter school and what students can attend are more limited than charter school laws in most states.
What are charter schools? |
Public schools that are privately run and exempt from many state and federal rules. |
Who can run a charter school? |
A non-profit, public benefit organization that is not religious or sectarian in nature |
How many allowed in WA? |
45 over 6 years, 5 each year in the first 3 years, 10 each year in the following 3 years |
What are the aims of WA charter schools? |
To help educationally disadvantaged students, give families more choice, meet academic standards |
Do students have to pay to attend? |
No, charter schools are funded by public education money and do not charge tuition. |
In Washington, charter schools can only be run by tax-exempt non-profit organizations and may not be run by religious or for-profit organizations. In most other states, businesses, individuals and other organizations may run charter schools as well as non-profits.
Organizations wishing to establish a new charter school or convert an existing school must draw up a contract (charter) that includes a detailed five-year plan about how organizers plan to operate the school. The proposed program must help students meet the state’s academic standards.
Applications to run a charter school must first be submitted to the local school board for approval. If an application to start a new school is rejected by a school board, it may be appealed to the state Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Once a charter is approved, it remains in effect for five years. During this time, a board chosen by the chartering organization operates the school according to the terms of the contract.
In Washington, the majority of charter schools are reserved for schools focused on assisting disadvantaged students: students with limited English proficiency, special needs or disabilities, economic disadvantages or who are at risk of failing state and federal academic standards. After March 31 of each year, any reserved charters not used are available for schools with other purposes. Every charter school in Washington must also conduct active outreach to educationally disadvantaged students. Several other states also give priority to charter schools enrolling at-risk students. However, Washington’s law reserving most charter schools for disadvantaged students narrows the scope of who can attend compared to most other states.
When an existing public school is converted into a charter school, the school’s previous students must be allowed to enroll in the charter school if they wish. In addition, a new charter school must enroll all students who want to attend, as long as space permits. If more new students apply than the school can accommodate, siblings will be given priority and then an impartial process such as a lottery must be used to allot any remaining spaces.
The 45 charter schools recently authorized in Washington will be phased in slowly over a six-year period. Between July 2004 and July 2007, five charter schools can be established each year and during the following three years, 10 charter schools per year can be established. Existing public schools may only be converted into charter schools if they have failed to make adequate progress for three consecutive years or are eligible for school improvement assistance.
Unlike public schools, charter schools will close if students are not learning at satisfactory levels. A sponsor can revoke the five-year charter before it expires for emergency health and safety issues. If a warning is given and the school does not correct its deficiencies, charters can also be revoked for violation of the contract or poor fiscal management. In addition, charters will not be renewed if the academic progress of charter school students in the most recent two years is inferior to the progress of similar students in the district.
While charter schools are free of most bureaucratic regulations, certain standards still apply. Charter schools in Washington must:
Conduct annual self-assessments and report on progress at least annually to the school district and parents.
Comply with state and federal requirements about health, safety, parents’ rights, nondiscrimination and civil rights.
Participate in free and reduced-priced meal programs.
Participate in the WASL, ITBS, and other measures of academic success.
Be subject to financial, performance, and accountability examinations.
Charter schools will receive state funding based on the number of students enrolled in the school and the number and type of staff. Charter schools created from previously existing public schools will also receive local funding from existing property levies. New charter schools sponsored by a school district will receive funds from levies passed after the school was established.
Professionals with strong academic qualifications, but without a formal teaching certificate, can be hired at charter schools along with certificated employees. In addition, teachers in traditional public schools can take a leave of absence of up to two years to teach in a charter school.
Teachers at new charter schools will also have more independence from the teacher’s union, as they will be part of a separate WEA local than other educational employees in the school district.
If the referendum qualifies for the ballot and charter schools are confirmed by voters, new educational opportunities will be open for students in Washingtonstate.