Many public schools in our state are doing well, but too many kids are still falling through the cracks. More than 30 percent of students never finish high school in Washington state. Among African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans, it’s 50 percent. We can do better. Approving Referendum 55 on Nov. 2 will help.
R-55 will let local school boards convert persistently low performing public schools into tuition-free, charter public schools. These schools help students excel through innovation, parental involvement and accountability.
R-55 will improve public schools without taking money from public school students or raising taxes. Funds will follow students who go to the charter public schools – just as funds follow students when they move to another public school. A University of Washington study released last week estimates that the limited number of charter public schools allowed under R-55 would only increase the state’s annual education spending by 0.03 percent – or about one dollar per student.
Approving R-55 will, in fact, increase funding for our schools. R-55 will allow Washington state to tap into $200 million a year in federal funds earmarked exclusively for states that authorize charter public schools. This year alone, California received $25 million while Oregon received $5 million. Given the strong support for charter public schools by both presidential candidates, this funding will very likely continue well into the future.
Charter public schools are working to help underserved students in 40 other states. In Colorado, charter public schools have outperformed comparable public schools in nearly every area, while serving high percentages of minority students in urban areas. In the Chicago area, 12 out of 13 charter public schools are outperforming traditional public schools on standards-based tests and averaging an 83 percent graduation rate compared to the 62 percent rate of Chicago’s other public high schools. It’s time Washington communities had the option of choosing these schools to make sure all kids have a chance to learn.
R-55 is a better charter public school proposal than we have seen in the past. It was carefully drafted by Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature to ensure it included strong local control, accountability and achievement provisions. R-55 requires that schools hire certified teachers and do not discriminate in admissions. These schools must prove that they will meet or exceed the state’s academic standards and provide a plan to help disadvantaged students. These schools must also demonstrate that they are fiscally sound and undergo regular audits of performance and operations.
Approve R-55 supporters include Bill Gates; Rep. Dave Quall, Democratic chair of the House Education Committee; Professor Pat Wasley of the University of Washington School of Education; Sam Smith, past president of Washington State University; The Seniors Coalition; El Centro La Raza; United Indians of All Tribes; and parents and teachers throughout Washington
Please join us in improving our public schools by approving R-55 on Nov. 2. For more information, please visit the campaign Web site at www.approveR55.org.
Rogelio Riojas is executive director of Sea Mar Community Health Centers. Steve Mullin is president of the Washington Roundtable, a public policy research organization composed of 40 chief executives representing major private sector employers throughout Washington.
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