Charter School Choice
Does the state have charter schools?
Are for-profit charter schools or management companies allowed?
A charter applicant is defined as "...a nonprofit corporation that has submitted an application to an authorizer." Contracts for management operation of the charter school may only be with nonprofit organizations.
Revised Code of Washington §28A.710.010(1)
Revised Code of Washington §28A.710.030(1)(c)
Is there a cap on the number of charter schools?
"A maximum of forty charter public schools may be established over the five-year period commencing with April 3, 2016. No more than eight charter schools may be established in any year during the five-year period, except that if in any year fewer than eight charter schools are established, additional charter schools, equal in number to the difference between the number established in that year and eight, may be established in subsequent years during the five-year period."
Revised Code of Washington §28A.710.150(1) Maximum number of charter public schools
Are charters required to provide transportation for any students?
However, a charter school application must provide or describe thoroughly plans for providing transportation.
Can charter schools employ uncertified teachers?
"Charter schools must employ certificated instructional staff as required in RCW 28A.410.025. Charter schools, however, may hire noncertificated instructional staff of unusual competence and in exceptional cases as specified in RCW 28A.150.203."
Revised Code of Washington §28A.710.040(2)(d) Charter schools—Requirements
Virtual School Choice
Do state statutes allow for full-time virtual schools?
"'Online school program' means a school program that offers a sequential set of online courses or grade-level coursework that may be taken in a single school term or throughout the school year in a manner that could provide a full-time basic education program if so desired by the student. Students may enroll in the program as part-time or full-time students."
Are virtual schools required to track attendance?
Do virtual schools have to comply with state teacher certification requirements?
The state's superintendent of education mandates that the online provider's approval criteria shall include the degree of alignment with state academic standards and require that all teachers be certificated in accordance with Washington state law.
Revised Code of Washington §28A.250.020(2) Multidistrict online providers—Approval criteria
Private School Choice
Does the state have voucher programs?
Does the state have educational expense tuition tax credits or deductions?
Can students use vouchers to attend religious schools?
Is there a cap on the number of students or private schools participating in voucher programs?
Are voucher students in private schools required to take any standardized tests?
Can private schools be removed from voucher programs based on performance?
Are private schools in voucher programs required to provide transportation?
Interdistrict School Choice
Does the state have interdistrict choice programs?
"A district is strongly encouraged to honor the request of a parent or guardian for his or her child to attend a school in another district..."