Save Washington’s Charter Schools: Schools’ Perspective

On Friday, September 4, 2015, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the public funding of charter schools unconstitutional. Because this ruling would eliminate their public funding, the future of the state’s nine charter schools—along with the students that attend them—is in jeopardy. We hope to shed light on the experiences of the families affected by the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision. The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools stands with Washington families in hopes of continuing their choice of public education.
For many teachers, working in a public charter school is a way to provide their students an innovative environment that fosters personal and academic growth. Charter school autonomy allows teachers to be creative while coaching students to meet and surpass standards. Washington state charter school teachers are no different. However, following the state Supreme Court ruling, charter school teachers are left with uncertainty about their workplace while families wonder what will happen to the school they chose.  At one Seattle charter high school, teachers have already built a community with their students. In an energetic rally at a Summit Sierra charter high school, parents, teachers, and community members met and expressed their disappointment over the ruling. The school’s leader, who fosters a positive environment, explains how important it is for parents to have the choice of charter schools. The school’s leader also led a panel, along with teachers, detailing the success that they’ve seen in their students one month into the school year. Students even gave personal accounts of their achievements, crediting their progress to their hard-working and innovative teachers. It is the diligence of charter school teachers that helps to brighten the futures of students who may not have otherwise had high-quality public school options. The commitment of charter school leaders and teachers has made a difference in the lives 1,300 students who chose to enroll in them, and it is our hope that Washington schools can continue to operate and grow.