On Tuesday, November 18, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it would transition oversight of education programs, previously overseen by the ED, to the U.S. Departments of Labor, Interior, Health and Human Services.
Washington State Charter Schools Association (WA Charters) recognizes that these new interagency agreements can create concern about Federal supports and services students, families and educators rely on and any potential disruption to those resources.
While most of the Department of Education’s funding for and oversight of elementary and secondary education programs will now be transferred to the Department of Labor, school day operations, curriculum standards, educator certification, and graduation requirements will continue to be determined locally. In Washington, these efforts are led by a partnership between the State Board of Education, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, charter public school authorizers, other state agencies, elected officials, and the communities our education system serves. Washingtonians can be assured that our state maintains a robust system of education accountability.
WA Charters appreciates the critical and historical role the Department of Education has played in understanding and addressing educational inequities. Despite changes at the federal level, WA Charters remains steadfast in our commitment to ensuring all Washington students have access to high-quality, public-education options that meet their specific learning needs and position them for success in the future. The Washington charter public school sector will continue to work with our public education partners to advance evidence-based policies that improve student outcomes, decrease barriers to accessing high-quality education, and protect the rights of every student and their families.