The State Board of Education (SBE) just published its seventh Annual Report on the performance of Washington’s 18 charter public schools.  These innovative community-based schools serve a total of about 4,800 students.  As in past years, the State Board finds that children who attend a charter public school receive an education that is as good or better than the one provided at most traditional public schools.

Charter schools are popular.  Many parents regard them as the best option for their children.  Most charters have waiting lists, and attendance data shows that 62% of charter school students come from low-income and minority families.  The State Board finds that low-income Black, Hispanic and immigrant children see greater learning gains in English and math than students at traditional schools.  As a result charter schools have become an essential link in eradicating the “achievement gap" between low-income students and children from wealthier families.

In some quarters, though, lingering anger and hostility against charter families remains, even 12 years after voters passed the state’s popular charter school law.  For example, in 2021 state lawmakers refused to re-authorize new charters, thus initiating a statewide ban on opening new schools.

In a further sign of ill intentions, state budget writers maintain a mean-spirited policy of funding inequality directed against charter school families.  Low-income, Black, Hispanic, immigrant and other children at charter schools receive about $3,000 less per student for their education, as community-based charters are denied any share of locally-raised school funding.

Charter schools are forced to pay monthly rent in the commercial market, the only Washington public schools required to do so.

Despite these obstacles, charter school children are flourishing, prompting members of the State Board of Education to recommend the opening new charters and an end to the policy of funding discrimination.  The Board’s official policy states: