In Washington, charter schools have been on the rise for the past few years, with nine schools educating over 1,000 students. Charter schools are similar to public schools, but are free from many regulations given to public schools, instead running under a “charter” or a contract that decides the curriculum and rules of the school. These schools, when run correctly, are very beneficial, though some people do not see it that way.
With more freedom to structure their curriculum, charter schools are able to take a more individualized approach to teaching their students. Charter schools also often have higher improvement rates than public schools, with some exceeding national averages.
Opponents of charter schools worry that charter schools “cherry-pick” the most talented students, leaving public schools with only “high-risk” students (such as low-income students or those with behavioral issues.) In this way, charters work just like public schools as well. Charter schools are legally obligated to accept any student who applies, with the exception of when there are more applicants than available spots (in which case the selection process is left up to a random lottery.) This leaves charter schools with as diverse a campus as any public school.
We need more charter schools in Washington because they provide students with the option to be educated in a way that best suits their needs. Young adults are able to choose the best college for themselves, so why not allow younger students to choose the education that best suits them?
Emma Doleshel
Lake Stevens
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