State Board of Education pushes for more charter schools and calls for equitable funding

The State Board of Education (SBE) just published its seventh Annual Report on the performance of Washington’s 18 charter public schools. These innovative community-based schools serve a total of about 4,800 students. As in past years, the State Board finds that children who attend a charter public school receive an education that is as good or better than the one provided at most traditional public schools.

Charter schools are popular. Many parents regard them as the best option for their children. Most charters have waiting lists, and attendance data shows that 62% of charter school students...