Because the state regulator of constitution public faculties, the Washington State Constitution Faculty Fee is accountable for making certain that faculties meet the expectations outlined of their charters — their contracts with the state. After I started as government director in September 2024, I anticipated working with passionate households who had discovered their proper slot in constitution public faculties. What I didn’t count on was how stark the hole felt between my function in authorities and the real-life experiences of educators and households doing every little thing they’ll to help kids.
In a second of disaster, Chadwick Boseman, taking part in Black Panther, stated, “Now, greater than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. Everyone knows the reality: Extra connects us than separates us. However in occasions of disaster, the smart construct bridges, whereas the silly construct obstacles.” That is our second to construct bridges and slim that distance.
That distance — actual or perceived — between faculties, households and decision-makers is harming public training. It displays a widening disconnect between what faculties are anticipated to ship, what the system can afford and what college students actually want. And in that hole, public training is being dismantled — slowly, strategically, and deliberately — by these in energy, notably on the federal stage.
To be clear, not all elected officers or authorities leaders are detached to public training. Many, like me, are dad and mom, former educators, and lifelong advocates who care deeply about our college students. However the time for well mannered concern is over. We want daring, united motion. I stand with district leaders, fellow regulators and educators throughout Washington to say: We’re preventing in your public faculties. We’re preventing in your kids. Be part of us.
The energy of Washington’s public training system lies in its range. Our college students come from each background conceivable, every bringing distinctive skills and goals. That’s why now we have a wide range of public faculty choices: magnet, conventional, various and constitution public faculties. Every of those faculties is tuition-free, publicly funded, and open to all. This isn’t a contest — it’s a shared mission. Each youngster in Washington deserves entry to a public training that prepares them to thrive in a world that consistently asks them to show their price.
On the Constitution Faculty Fee, we put group voices on the heart of our course of. We maintain Constitution Studying Labs at fee conferences, host group listening periods, welcome suggestions by means of our criticism course of and work to be aware of group demand for high-quality public faculty choices. We don’t wish to “catch faculties doing one thing unsuitable” — we wish to stroll alongside them. Accountability is constructed into the constitution public faculty system, however help should be, too. Constitution public faculties function with 25% much less funding than conventional public faculties. Their households pay the identical taxes, and the tutorial expectations are simply as excessive— but they’re requested to do extra with much less. That’s not simply unfair; it’s unsustainable and unacceptable.
Constitution public faculties usually serve increased proportions of scholars of coloration. There are 17 constitution public faculties in Washington; 15 of them are licensed by the Fee and two of them are licensed by Spokane Public Colleges. There are roughly 4,700 constitution public faculty college students in our state. Their success is our collective success. These college students — like all public faculty college students in our state— should be valued and supported, not questioned or marginalized.
The scholars we combat for right this moment will likely be tomorrow’s scientists, social staff, entrepreneurs and electricians. In 10 years, they’ll be making the selections that form our communities. If we wish them to doubt their price, then we will keep on our present path. But when we wish them to be brave, crucial thinkers — prepared to problem the established order when it’s unjust — then we should present up for them now.
In Washington, D.C., the federal authorities could try to dismantle the Department of Education. Right here in our Washington, we will select a distinct path. We will flip towards one another. All public faculties deserve the complete help of the federal government that serves them. And all public faculty college students should be supported and ready — not only for the challenges of tomorrow, however for the promise of it.
The longer term will depend on them. At this time, it’s as much as us.
