First Charter Schools Approved in Washington

The State Board of Education has taken another step toward bringing charter schools to Washington State.

On Wednesday in Yakima, the board unanimously approved the Spokane School District's bid to become the state's first charter school authorizer, in addition to the statewide charter commission.

A charter school authorizer will review, approve or reject applications from groups that want to open charter schools. Spokane has expressed interested in creating a portfolio of choices for students in Spokane, including charter schools.

The school district can only approve school applications within district boundaries.

The Washington Charter School Commission can approve charter schools anywhere in the state.
Other school districts interested in becoming authorizers have until Oct. 1 to say they plan to apply to be authorizers in 2014.