Washington

High scores in digital learning options but low scores in school choice options make this state a bit of an anomaly. Soon parents will have another opportunity to gain power thanks to a parental victory on the November 2012 ballot authorizing the creation of charter schools. This state takes education issues seriously with its highly transparent data set and friendly election cycle.

Parents have limited choices among traditional public schools (often called open enrollment or public school choice), which permits students to attend any public school in the state if there is room.

SOURCE: The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice

After nearly two decades of legislative attempts to bring charters to Washington, voters took the issue to the ballot in 2012 and finally passed an average charter school law that seeks to create 40 charter schools in 5 years. However, the Evergreen State’s overall Parent Power Index score will not change until charter schools actually open their doors to serve students.

SOURCE: The Essential Guide to Charter School Law 2013 National Ranking and Scorecard

Washington’s newly passed charter law will provide Washington students and teachers more options.

SOURCE: Digital Learning Now!

By 2015, teacher evaluations must make student growth a significant factor among a variety of criteria. However, evaluations are not required annually. Neither tenure decisions nor licensure advancement and renewal are based on teacher effectiveness. Ineffective classroom performance can be a reason for dismissal in Washington, and tenured teachers have multiple opportunities to appeal.

Teacher compensation is controlled by a state salary schedule based on seniority and advanced degrees. Districts can include performance pay and incentives based on teacher effectiveness.

SOURCE: National Council on Teacher Quality

Information on school performance is somewhat easy to find on Washington’s state Department of Education website. A glossary or some other mechanism to help explain the data would make it much more parent-friendly. The 296 local school boards are elected on the 1st Tuesday of November in odd-numbered years, and not during the general election.