Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter School Updates

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter School Updates:

Washington State Charter School Updates

With the Growth Boundaries, 20-Minutes added to the school day, changes to the Student Assignment Plan, Cedar Park, etc, I have found nary the time to write about charter schools in Washington State.  But finally, here it is.
Washington State Charter School Commission
Today, the Commission issued the annual New Charter School application for schools that wish to open in Fall 2018.

The Washington State Charter School Commission begins its new round of charter school authorization with the release of the New Charter School Application on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. This year, successful applicants will have the opportunity to access U.S. Department of Education Charter School Program (CSP) grant, a grant administered through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). CSP grant funds are designed to support the development and growth of new, high-quality charter public schools across the state. 

Oh right, that would be the huge kiss of money that got put into ESSA for charter schools.  It will be interesting if that money gets sustained as the voucher crowd jockeys for money.  (To note the voucher crowd would also like to take money from Title One dollars.)

The WSCSC process is a six-month one that ends on June 29, 2017 with the announcement of authorization of new charter schools.  The Notice of Intent to Apply is Feb. 17, 2017. 

Charter School law lawsuit
In August, 2016, a lawsuit was brought against the new charter school law approved by the Legislature in the spring.  Those suing included the WEA, the League of Women Voters, El Centro de la Raza and other labor groups like the Washington State Labor Council.  The lawsuit also includes Washington state public school parents.

The plaintiffs say that the new law does not really address the underlying issue of funding that was used when the Washington State Supreme Court threw out the first charter school law.  Namely, that public dollars are still being used for Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter School Updates: