Judge approves Initiative 1240 ballot title; President Obama calls for supporting charter schools

Today Thurston County Superior Court Judge Lisa Sutton gave final approval to the ballot title and short summary for the proposed charter public school initiative.  The language is reported by The Olympian here.  After getting a late start, supporters have just three weeks to collect 241,153 signatures necessary to place it on the November ballot.   

Judge Sutton's decision comes just weeks after President Barack Obama proclaimed National Charter Schools Week, 2012.

The President said, “Charter schools have brought new ideas to the work of educating our sons and daughters, and during National Charter Schools Week, we recognize their role in strengthening American education.”

He further said, “These institutions give educators the freedom to cultivate new teaching models and develop creative methods to meet students’ needs.”  He said, “This unique flexibility is matched by strong accountability and high standards, so underperforming charter schools can be closed, while those that consistently help students succeed can serve as models of reform for other public schools.”

"I call on States and communities to support charter schools and the students they serve,” the President said.

Washington state is one of only nine states that continues to ban charter schools.  In line with President Obama’s recommendation, Initiative 1240 backers are trying to change that.