charter schools

12 Wash. Districts File To Become Charter School Authorizers

Ann Dornfeld — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:35:03 +0000

Twelve Washington school districts have formally announced they’ll apply to become charter school authorizers. Bellevue, Highline, Kent, Tacoma, Spokane and Port Townsend are among the districts seeking the power to approve charter school applications in their regions. Those districts met the State Board of Education's April 1 deadline for notices of intent to apply for authorizer status.

Governor Announces Charter School Commission Appointments

Producer — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:53:33 +0000

Last November, voters approved Initiative 1240 to establish charter schools in Washington state and today the governor announced who is going to sit on the commission that will review and approve charter schools applications. Ross Reynolds sits down with newly appointed commission member and former Seattle School Board member Steve Sundquist about how the commission will work.

Washington Charter School Commissioners To Be Announced This Week

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:11:05 +0000

The first members of Washington state’s new Charter School Commission are due to be appointed Wednesday. The commission will be able to approve some of the 40 charter schools allowed under the law voters passed last fall.

Union-Led Group Calls For Challenge To Washington Charter School Law

Ann Dornfeld — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:40:57 +0000

A group that includes Washington’s largest teachers’ union has formally asked state Attorney General Bob Ferguson to challenge the constitutionality of the state’s new charter school law.

Charter School Countdown: What's Next

Ann Dornfeld — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 01:58:46 +0000

The charter school initiative appears to have passed. The first charter schools would likely open their doors in Washington next school year, at the earliest. Here's the countdown of what's next.

Charter School Initiative Passes, Says AP

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:09:06 +0000

The charter school initiative has passed by a narrow margin, according to the Associated Press. The vote stands at 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent. That's a difference of about 44,000 votes. Statewide, 269,000 ballots remain to be counted. The No on 1240 campaign Facebook page says campaign managers won't consider the race over until every vote is counted.

What Does Adequate School Funding Look Like?

Steve Scher — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 17:00:00 +0000

The Supreme Court of Washington ruled earlier this year that the state is not meeting its constitutional duty to fully fund public education. What does a well-funded school system look like? We talk with Diane Ravitch, research professor of education at New York University.

Charter Schools Initiative Passing Narrowly

Ann Dornfeld — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 11:38:37 +0000

The initiative to allow charter schools in Washington is narrowly passing with 51 percent of the vote. This was the fourth time the state’s voters considered charter schools. Supporters said charters would expand students’ educational options because charters aren’t bound by district or union rules.

What Happens After Vote On Gay Marriage, Pot And Charter Schools?

Liz Jones and Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:12:06 +0000

Marijuana legalization and same-sex marriage are hot-button issues on the Washington ballot. Even after the measures are decided, the debate will likely continue and changes won't happen overnight.

Grading The Charter School Claims

Ann Dornfeld — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 16:20:21 +0000

This fall, voters in Washington will decide whether to legalize charter schools in the state for the first time. Washington voters have considered charters three times before. But the details of charter school funding, oversight and independence can be confusing. So we took a red pen to claims by supporters and opponents of Initiative 1240, and gave each claim a grade to see who gets to go to the head of the class – and who needs to go back and check their work.