Like Twinkies, some political issues never get stale.
Legalizing charter schools is one of them.
Forty-two states have them but Washington doesn’t. It’s not for a lack of trying by fans of charter schools whose ballot battles for them date back to the last century.
In 1996, they got thrashed when nearly two-thirds of voters rejected Initiative 177 to create so-called independent schools.
Four years later, supporters fared better with a more simply constructed Initiative 729, enabling public school districts and universities to oversee them. The measure failed by less, four points, and actually passed in a few counties, including Snohomish County.
Then came 2004 when they won and lost. State lawmakers passed and Gov. Gary Locke signed a law approving charter schools only to see voters repeal it. It was a bruising campaign in which supporters again got their ears pinned by the politically muscular Washington Education Association.
Three losses don’t make for defeat.
On Thursday, a batch of Democratic and Republican lawmakers, liberals and conservatives, launched yet another bid to add charter schools to the state’s buffet of education options. They insisted this year’s version is carefully drafted to avoid the pitfalls of the past and capitalize on the successes of the 5,275 charters operating around the country.
And the WEA, whose members populated the news conference audience, is ready to rumble.
Thus far, each side is arming themselves with much the same rhetorical weaponry of their warring predecessors.
Proponents contend these publicly financed yet privately managed schools can be more nimble and creative in their approach to teaching students, especially those unable to succeed in traditional schools. The result is greater academic achievement and social development.
Opponents argue that charter schools siphon resources from existing public schools without delivering on those promises of better student achievement. Another concern, though not expressed bluntly, is that the charters tend to hire nonunion teachers and staff.
But there’s definitely a different environment this time around.
The state Supreme Court spanked lawmakers and governor, saying they aren’t doing what the Constitution tells them to do and pay the full cost of a basic education for students. While justices gave the Legislature time to get its act together, any proposal which can be portrayed as a diversion of dollars from basic education will suffer politically — and charter schools will be painted as such.
And, moreover, as this old feud is renewed, the state education establishment is already encouraging creation of nontraditional public schools with many of the characteristics associated with charter schools.
Take Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe. It’s been honored as one of the state’s most innovative. Officially, it’s an alternative public school that operates under a slightly different set of state rules than other campuses in the district.
For example, you won’t see students at their desks for six periods a day, five days a week. Some days students might not be at a desk at all. Yet they’ll all end up taking state-required assessment tests and, scoring quite well, thank you.
The state seems to be on a slow creep toward accepting charter schools. If it doesn’t happen this year, the fight will certainly start anew next year.
It isn’t going to get stale, just like a Twinkie.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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