Why the Running Start argument should be a non-starter for reconsideration of Supreme Court’s charter school decision
After the Washington State Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Plaintiffs in deciding charter schools are not Common Schools due to a lack of public oversight and therefore cannot receive public funding, the well financed proponents of charter schools decided to try another route by having the State Attorney General submit an argument to the State Supreme Court. His argument is as follows:
“The decision not only invalidates Initiative 1240, but also unnecessarily calls into question the constitutionality of a wide range of other state educational programs,” the statement said. “These important programs range from Running Start to Washington State Skills Centers that provide career and technical education to high school students.”
In regards to Running Start, this is not the case.
Running Start dollars go to school districts, under the supervision of an elected school board, and then the district transfers at least 93% of the funds to community colleges to pay for the district’s students who enroll there. What’s more, the school board has to approve an agreement with the community or technical college about the level of reimbursement for each student receiving Running Start services from that public institutions.
State Representative Gerry Pollet lays it out in his statement below.
Why Running Start argument should be a Non-Starter for reconsideration of Supreme Court’s Charter School Decision
Rep. Gerry Pollet, J.D.; 46th District (N and NE Seattle, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore)
The Washington Supreme Court decision striking down the charter school initiative as unconstitutional because it sends public school funding directly to unaccountable private charter schools does not jeopardize our state’s Running start program, under which high school students enroll for dual credit in local community and technical college courses.
Charter school advocates are urging reconsideration of the Washington Supreme Court Why the Running Start argument should be a non-starter for reconsideration of Supreme Court’s charter school decision | Seattle Education:
