Because the state regulator of constitution public colleges, the Washington State Constitution College Fee is liable for making certain that colleges meet the expectations outlined of their charters — their contracts with the state. Once I started as govt director in September 2024, I anticipated working with passionate households who had discovered their proper slot in constitution public colleges. 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 part they’ll to help kids.
In a second of disaster, Chadwick Boseman, taking part in Black Panther, mentioned, “Now, greater than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. Everyone knows the reality: Extra connects us than separates us. However in instances of disaster, the clever construct bridges, whereas the silly construct obstacles.” That is our second to construct bridges and slim that distance.
That distance — actual or perceived — between colleges, households and decision-makers is harming public schooling. It displays a widening disconnect between what colleges are anticipated to ship, what the system can afford and what college students actually want. And in that hole, public schooling is being dismantled — slowly, strategically, and deliberately — by these in energy, significantly on the federal degree.
To be clear, not all elected officers or authorities leaders are detached to public schooling. 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’d like daring, united motion. I stand with district leaders, fellow regulators and educators throughout Washington to say: We’re preventing to your public colleges. We’re preventing to your kids. Be a part of us.
The energy of Washington’s public schooling system lies in its range. Our college students come from each background possible, every bringing distinctive skills and desires. That’s why we’ve got a wide range of public faculty choices: magnet, conventional, different and constitution public colleges. Every of those colleges 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 schooling that prepares them to thrive in a world that always asks them to show their value.
On the Constitution College Fee, we put group voices on the middle of our course of. We maintain Constitution Studying Labs at fee conferences, host group listening periods, welcome suggestions via our grievance course of and work to be conscious of group demand for high-quality public faculty choices. We don’t wish to “catch colleges doing one thing incorrect” — we wish to stroll alongside them. Accountability is constructed into the constitution public faculty system, however help have to be, too. Constitution public colleges function with 25% much less funding than conventional public colleges. Their households pay the identical taxes, and the educational 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 colleges typically serve increased proportions of scholars of coloration. There are 17 constitution public colleges in Washington; 15 of them are licensed by the Fee and two of them are licensed by Spokane Public Faculties. 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— need to be valued and supported, not questioned or marginalized.
The scholars we combat for at present can 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 value, then we will keep on our present path. But when we wish them to be brave, vital 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 special path. We will flip towards one another. All public colleges deserve the complete help of the federal government that serves them. And all public faculty college students need to be supported and ready — not only for the challenges of tomorrow, however for the promise of it.
The longer term will rely on them. Right this moment, it’s as much as us.
