Yesterday, the Washington state legislature narrowly passed a bill that will allow both the creation of 45 charter schools for disadvantaged students over the next six years and the conversion of an unlimited number of failing public schools into charters. The bill, which the governor is expected to sign into law in the next few weeks, marks a major legislative victory for charter advocates in Washington who have been working to pass such legislation for the better part of a decade. "It's a big day for children and families and educators who know that we can do better for our kids if educators have the freedom and parents have more choices," said Jim Spady, who along with his wife has been working to get charters approved in Washington since his now 15 year-old son was in kindergarten. Charles Hasse, president of the state's largest teachers union, said "it was hard to express how disappointed he was." Charters, he said, give "a foot in the door to those who would like to privatize public schools and turn them over to profiteers." Hasse isn't simply giving in; legal battles are likely, with some arguing that charters violate the state constitutional guarantee for a "general and uniform system of public schools."
"Legislators clear path for charter schools, by Linda Shaw, Seattle Times, March 11, 2004
"Charter schools are on the way," by Joseph Turner, Tacoma News Tribune, March 11, 2004
Wash. Passes Charter - School Bill, Associated Press, March 11, 2004