overview 1. what is a charter school? 2. charter schools vs. public schools 3. what charter schools...
TRANSCRIPT
Mapping Unchartered Territory:
A Brief Overview of Charter
Schools in Washington State
Anthony [email protected]
University of Washington, SeattleMay 6, 2015
Overview1. What is a charter school?
2. Charter schools vs. public schools
3. What charter schools might offer
4. The charter school critique
5. Charter schools in Washington state
6. Resources for further learning and perspectives
Charter schools, local and national
What is a charter school?
Charter school = K-12 school funded by both public and private monies with autonomy established by its charter and governing body
NOT a private school, but has similar characteristics
Approved by an oversight committee
Approved charters set parameters for school
In WA state Non-profit Non-religious Politically unaffiliated Open to all students Tuition-free
Public
School
Federal funding
Local/State funding
Private fundin
g
Typical public school funding structure
Public vs. Charter Schools
Public School
Funded primarily by public dollars
In theory, must educate all students in service area
Students generally live in the neighborhood
Generally bound by teacher union, state regulations for hiring/staffing
Accountable to local school board
School day/year length, curriculum set by state
Charter School
Funded by a combination of public and private dollars
May be selective about student population
Students apply or enter lottery to attend
May create its own hiring criteria and decisions
Accountable to its own governing body
School day/year length, curriculum set by school
What might charter schools offer?
The school choice argument Students may choose which school they would like to
attend
The freedom of autonomy argument Charter schools may set their own school structure
and curricular agenda
The freedom to fund and develop resources Charter schools are not bound by fixed amount of
funds per year
The charter school critique
Charter schools pose resource competition to public schools In some cases, charter schools have influenced the closing of
local public schools
Charter schools can be selective with student population demographics Students with special needs, immigrant students,
underrepresented populations Schools may be selective about student population to
influence standardized test scores
Funding and accountability Funding from private investors could influence school
decisions
WA state charter schools Initiative 1240 approved by voters in November 2012
Established commission for oversight Charters must be approved by commission
Application includes detailed funding structure and development plan
Came after years of controversy and failed attempts to establish charter schools within the state
1 open currently, 7 open more open this fall First Place Scholars Charter School
First charter school in the state Currently on improvement plan Converted from private to charter school
Further resources Center for Reinventing Public Education
UW Bothell-based Advocacy organization
Washington State Charter Schools Association Membership consists of currently approved charter
schools Offers workshops and seminars on writing a charter
Washington State Charter School Commission Oversees charter school applications Writes annual charter school report for state
government
