On March 20, President Trump signed Executive Order 11155, which directs the Secretary of Education to facilitate the closure of the federal Department of Education and to terminate all funds from the Federal Department of Education that go to programs and activities with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. We understand that this Executive Order may create uncertainty about the supports and resources available to students, families, and public schools across the United States, and that it also raises concerns about disruptions to critical services for students and teachers, oversight of educational quality, and critical protections that ensure all students have the resources and opportunities needed to thrive during their time in public schools.
We recognize that the federal Department of Education collects key data and implements guardrails essential to addressing educational inequities. In Washington State, we have a robust system of accountability and extensive data collection that helps us monitor student success and educational attainment.
In response to the executive order, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal affirmed that, “in Washington state, our Legislature has instituted civil rights protections for students above and beyond the federal minimum protections, and no order by the President will diminish our state’s obligation or moral imperative to serve and support all students.” In Washington state, just like any public schools, charter public schools must comply with state health, safety, parents’ rights, civil rights, and nondiscrimination laws, be subject to annual audits to ensure legal and fiscal compliance, employ certified instructional staff, and be supervised by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board of Education. Washington’s charter public schools are also overseen by the Charter School Commission or a local school district, approved through a 32-point application process, subject to academic, financial, and organizational performance frameworks, and reauthorized every five years. Washingtonians also have access to the Education Ombuds and the OSPI special education dispute resolution services and Civil Rights coordinator.
At WA Charters, we are committed to advocating for and supporting high-quality public-school options that provide safe, supportive, and academically rigorous environments for all students. Washington State has a paramount duty to fund our education system. We will continue to advocate ensuring our charter public schools are treated with the same respect and funded as all other public schools in the state. We will continue working with education and policy leaders to maintain high standards, uphold student rights, and safeguard the resources students rely on to thrive, including Washington’s state constitutional obligation to fully fund education. Families and educators deserve clarity, consistency, and a system that puts students first. Alongside our public education partners, WA Charters will continue working to advance evidence-based policies that improve student outcomes, decrease barriers to accessing education, and protect the rights of every learner.
Learn more about our commitment to safe, welcoming schools for all students: Safe Spaces for All Students