Lawmakers Approve Charter Schools Bill
An organization called the United Indians For All Tribes runs the school.
The group has been fighting for charter schools in our state for almost 10 years. They say public schools have failed Native American children.
"We are the children that are left behind and there's no immediate plan, and there's never been a plan of how to address this and how to make our kids academically successful in schools," said Michelle Sanidad of United Indians For All Tribes.
Charter schools are public schools that are run privately. They can be started by parents, teachers, community members, or even a public school district. They get their money directly from the state on a per student basis.
Charter schools must admit any student who applies and they can't limit admission on any basis other than age or grade level. If the school doesn't have room for all of the students who apply, they must choose students by using a lottery - not by first come first served, or by whoever lives closest to the school.
Charter schools are not accountable to local school district standards, but students do have to pass state-standardized tests.
The idea of a charter school appeals to Clarissa Antone. She'd love to send her son to a school designed in a way to allow him to learn about his native heritage, while also learning about his ABC's.
"I think it's a good idea. If they do it I would definitely put him in a charter school," she said.
But opponents contend charter schools are nothing more than private schools in disguise.
The Washington Education Association calls charter schools a gimmick. They say the new legislation could cost existing public schools $71 million.
"Somehow emotion and ideology has trumped reason when it comes to making laws in Olympia," said WEA President Charles Hasse. "We're disappointed."
Washington is now the 41st state in the country to allow charter schools. 45 charter schools will be developed in our state over the next six years.