Coalition files legal action over state charter law
SEATTLE (AP) - A coalition of educators and community groups on Wednesday filed a legal challenge with the state attorney general, questioning the constitutionality of Washington's new charter schools law.
The three-page "legal demand" asks Attorney General Bob Ferguson to investigate seven constitutional issues with the law approved by voters in November.
The coalition - led by the Washington Education Association, the League of Women Voters and El Centro del la Raza - says if the attorney general doesn't take action, they will file a lawsuit in state courts. Their issues range from the way the law would divert money from public schools to private non-profit organizations to a perceived violation of the requirement that the superintendent of public instruction should supervise everything related to public schools.
They question the way levy dollars could be converted to a new purpose without consulting voters if a regular public school is converted to a charter school, as is allowed under the new law.
The group, which includes the state's largest teachers' union, doesn't like a provision of the new law that restricts collective bargaining units of charter school employees to the school in which they work.
"The Charter School Act is an unconstitutional law that impedes the state's progress toward fully funding public education and places even greater pressure on school districts to fill this gap," their letter said.
The attorney general's office did not immediately reply to a phone call requesting comment.
Washington became the 42nd state to OK the independent public schools in November. Voters authorized the opening of up to 40 charter schools over five years. The new law sets up a Charter School Commission to authorize groups to open charter schools and puts the State Board of Education in charge of approving applications by local school districts that also want to authorize charter schools.
The three-page "legal demand" asks Attorney General Bob Ferguson to investigate seven constitutional issues with the law approved by voters in November.
The coalition - led by the Washington Education Association, the League of Women Voters and El Centro del la Raza - says if the attorney general doesn't take action, they will file a lawsuit in state courts. Their issues range from the way the law would divert money from public schools to private non-profit organizations to a perceived violation of the requirement that the superintendent of public instruction should supervise everything related to public schools.
They question the way levy dollars could be converted to a new purpose without consulting voters if a regular public school is converted to a charter school, as is allowed under the new law.
The group, which includes the state's largest teachers' union, doesn't like a provision of the new law that restricts collective bargaining units of charter school employees to the school in which they work.
"The Charter School Act is an unconstitutional law that impedes the state's progress toward fully funding public education and places even greater pressure on school districts to fill this gap," their letter said.
The attorney general's office did not immediately reply to a phone call requesting comment.
Washington became the 42nd state to OK the independent public schools in November. Voters authorized the opening of up to 40 charter schools over five years. The new law sets up a Charter School Commission to authorize groups to open charter schools and puts the State Board of Education in charge of approving applications by local school districts that also want to authorize charter schools.
These appear to be rather valid concerns:
"the law would divert money from public schools to private non-profit organizations ... [in] violation of the requirement that the superintendent of public instruction should supervise everything related to public schools."
It isn't "public schooling" if the superintendent of schools doesn't supervise it. How can consistent standards, especially pertaining to curricula, be maintained? Also, the League of Women Voters has a reputation for credibility. Their stance, against the charter school law, is significant, or so it seems to me.
If this group is sucessful I think its time parent strike just like the teachers do. Keep kids home for a two or three days every week and see what happens. Our childrens education is at stake and many of us just are happy with the public system cause our kids learn differently and the school teachers and schools just dont' care.
Maybe if our public education system wasn't such a freaking joke, people wouldn't have voted for charter schools in the first place! I know I voted for charter schools, because I am fed up with the HORRIBLE education my child receives. If I had the money for private schooling I'd enroll him in a heartbeat, but I don't. A charter school is a last ditch effort for my children to get more than a half-arsed education.
If you don't know what a charter school is, here is a link that gives a good breakdown on charter schools. http://voices.yahoo.com/five-primary-differences-between-charter-schools-and-8664167.html
Frankly, I don't care if funding is taken from public schools and put towards charters. Some of that is MY tax dollars meant for MY children that are just getting WASTED in the public school money pit. YES, charter schools are still in an experimental stage and YES there is no certainty that charter schools will be any better than public, but I am willing to give it a go because I don't see our public school system changing AT ALL.
@Tattooed_Angel2 Absolutely agree! The school system in this state is broken, no ifs, ands or buts about it. The sooner we ALL realize that the sooner we can address the problem.
Well golly gee wizz, if the schools, and all those involved, had done a better job of educating the students, charter schools would not even be an issue now would they? Â The taxpayers have thrown more and more money into the schools and have received less and less for it... except for excuses.
This is all about power and control (in their hands). Â Why should parents have a viable alternative to a crappy education for THEIR CHILDREN. Â
@K. Coleman What makes charter schools better? How do they provide a better education?
@IlBrutto13 @K. Coleman Charter schools are a stepping stone to better schools. By eliminating much of the bureaucracy of the present public schools they can move towards offering a real education to children. Â
@IlBrutto13Â From what I've seen (PERSONALLY) private schools tend to be more attentive to the parents, have less B.S. to deal with and historically put out a better educated student. Â Both my kids had DRASTIC improvement after the first 3 months. Â
"The Charter School Act is an unconstitutional law that impedes the state's progress toward fully funding public education and places even greater pressure on school districts to fill this gap," their letter said. LOL Well maybe if the legislature did its job and started looking at better ways to fund public schools the voters wouldn't be looking for a remedy themselves. If there are clauses that are in there that are unconstitutional then fix them and allow the charter school plan to continue. I wonder how much longer before they try to pass a bill that makes initiatives illegal like they already tried once.Â
Charter schools are such an obvious scam. I can't understand why anyone would support them.
If public schools need improvement, and I think we would all agree that they do, then why would you want LESS accountability?
@Sutekh Agreed! I wonder whether there *is* widespread support for charter schools? Parents are frustrated about inadequately funded public schools. The situation is exacerbated by past history of poor decisions, and worse, by high level public school administrators. Yet that doesn't mean the entire system is bereft of value, irredeemable.Â
Charter schools were welcomed in many states, with open minds and enthusiasm to try something new. Results have been lackluster. Why doesn't Washington State consider that, before going down the same path? School teachers are NOT lazy, self-serving, and manipulated by their unions. (It is a disservice to represent them in that light, as some charter school advocates seem to do.)
@Sutekh Actually, charter schools have MORE accountability than public schools. If a charter school doesn't perform, they get shut down. If a public school doesn't perform, nothing happens. They blame it on a lack of funding and request more tax dollars to flush down the pooper.
@SutekhSo you're saying that my brothers, sister, and I were all victims of a scam?
I'm sorry, but I had issue's in school, I guess what would be called ADD, back 25 years ago. When my family moved, I was put into a charter school. My grades went from a 1.3 GPA to a 3.5 because of the way the school was run. Smaller classes, more attention to help learn, etc.
So if that is a scam, then so be it, one of the best scams I was part of.
@Sutekh There is more accountability... you see they want your money.  If they do not give you a quality product, you can take your child someplace else.  The public schools act like they are ENTITLED to all the money and all the power and even tend to force stuff on peoples children that some personally do not want their kids subjected to.  Ones children are the parents responsibility, not property of the State to do with as they please.
@Sutekh An obvious scam? Really? Less accountability? Really? You must be a union hack.
@giveitarest No, Sooty is so much smarter than all you parents. He knows that Government is good and provides a superb education to your children at a modest cost. You parents can't possibly decide what is best. He can't wait until the State starts building floating bridges and takes over your health insurance/care!
@Getov Mylon Yes, Sooty IS smart! The government IS good! It DOES provide a superb education to children, not at a modest cost, but at ZERO cost. That is why it called "public education". I don't understand how Washington State funds anything without a state income tax. Property taxes on mansions, perhaps. Anyway, who said that all the parents are in favor of charter schools?Â
Some private schools are great. Those are privately funded, have hefty tuition and fees. You don't get something for nothing. Public schools must be compliant with standards e.g. properly qualified teachers, adequate facilities. That's good! In contrast, charter schools in other states have been associated with a litany of woes (mediocre student performance, misappropriation of funds by administrators). I have no idea why Washington State wants to pursue this now, despite the substantial body of unfavorable evidence about charter schools.
A coalition of educators and community groups =Â the teachers unions
@Goodwin And the teachers wonder Y we don't want to give them more money to waste.
"The group, which includes the state's largest teachers' union, doesn't like a provision of the new law that restricts collective bargaining units of charter school employees to the school in which they work."
We should solve that problem by ending collective bargaining for all public employees as well as automatic payroll deductions for union dues.