School Governance in Washington State

Understanding Local, State, and Federal Control

Who Controls Our Schools? Public, Charter, and Private School Options

The Big Picture: Layers of School Governance

Education in America is governed by a complex system of local, state, and federal authorities. Understanding who has control over what decisions helps explain why certain changes can happen quickly while others take years, and why some decisions are made locally while others come from Olympia or Washington, D.C.

Key Principle: The U.S. Constitution does not give the federal government authority over education. This means education is primarily a state responsibility, with significant local control through elected school boards. Federal involvement comes mainly through funding that comes with requirements attached.

Levels of Control: Who Decides What?

🏛️ Federal Government Role (Minimal Direct Control)

What the Federal Government Controls:

What the Federal Government Does NOT Control:

Important: Federal funding typically represents only 10-15% of a school district's budget. The federal government can attach requirements to this funding, but cannot directly regulate schools beyond civil rights protections and programs they fund.

🏢 State Government Role (Primary Authority)

What the Washington State Government Controls:

Key State Agencies:

🏘️ Local Government Role (Day-to-Day Control)

What Local School Boards Control:

Important: School board members are locally elected by voters in the community. This is where citizens have the most direct control over education decisions. Attending school board meetings and voting in school board elections is how communities exercise local control.

Three Types of Schools in Washington

Washington State has three main types of K-12 schools: Traditional Public Schools, Charter Public Schools, and Private Schools. Each operates under different rules regarding governance, funding, and autonomy.

Traditional Public Schools

Current in WA: ~2,370 schools

  • Funded by taxpayers (local, state, federal)
  • Completely free (no tuition)
  • Must accept all students in district
  • Governed by locally elected school board
  • Must follow all state standards and requirements
  • Teachers must be state certified
  • Can receive local levy funding
  • Subject to collective bargaining with unions

Charter Public Schools

Current in WA: ~16-18 schools (capped at 40)

  • Funded by taxpayers (state and federal only)
  • Completely free (no tuition)
  • Must accept all students (open enrollment)
  • Operated by nonprofit organization
  • More autonomy than traditional public schools
  • Must be nonsectarian and nonreligious
  • Cannot receive local levy funding
  • Can be closed quickly if not performing
  • Teachers must be state certified
  • NEW APPLICATIONS CLOSED since 2021-2022

Private Schools

Current in WA: ~500 schools

  • Funded by tuition and donations
  • Charges tuition (varies widely)
  • Can select which students to admit
  • Operated by private boards or organizations
  • Significant autonomy in curriculum
  • Can be religious or secular
  • Must be approved annually by State Board of Education
  • Most teachers must be state certified
  • No direct public funding (with some exceptions)

Detailed Comparison: Control and Requirements

Requirement / Control Traditional Public Charter Public Private
Funding Source Local, State, Federal taxes State, Federal taxes (no local levies) Tuition, donations, some federal programs
Tuition Cost FREE FREE Varies ($5,000-$30,000+/year)
Student Admissions Must accept all in district Open enrollment (lottery if oversubscribed) Can set admission requirements
State Academic Standards Must follow completely Must follow completely Must meet minimum standards for graduation
Teacher Certification All must be WA certified All must be WA certified Most must be WA certified (exceptions allowed)
State Testing Required Required Optional (not required)
Curriculum Freedom Limited (must follow state standards) More flexibility within standards Significant freedom (religious content allowed)
Local Control High (elected school board) Low (nonprofit board, not elected) High (private board)
State Oversight High (OSPI, Legislature) High (Charter Commission, SBE) Moderate (annual approval by SBE)
Federal Requirements Must follow if accepting federal $ Must follow if accepting federal $ Minimal (unless receiving federal grants)
Religious Content Prohibited Prohibited (must be nonsectarian) Allowed
Special Education Must provide FAPE under IDEA Must provide FAPE under IDEA Limited requirements (consultation only)
Collective Bargaining Subject to union contracts Not typically unionized Not typically unionized
School Day/Year Length Must meet state minimums Must meet state minimums Must meet state minimums (180 days)
Annual State Approval Not required Not required (but performance monitored) Required (State Board of Education)

Charter Schools in Washington: Important Details

Critical Update: The authorization window for new charter schools closed in 2021-2022. No new charter schools can be authorized until the Washington State Legislature changes the law. Currently, 16-18 charter schools are operating under a cap of 40 total schools.

What Makes Charter Schools Different?

Charter schools are public schools, not private schools. Key facts:

Charter School Authorization

Charter schools can be authorized by two entities:

Charter Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools: The Autonomy Trade-off

Charter schools get MORE freedom in:

Charter schools get LESS access to:

The Charter School Debate: Supporters say charter schools provide innovation and choice, especially serving underserved communities. Critics worry they drain resources from traditional public schools and lack local democratic control. Understanding both perspectives helps informed community discussion.

Private Schools in Washington: How They Work

What Makes Private Schools Different?

Private schools operate independently of the public school system:

State Requirements for Private Schools

Despite their independence, Washington private schools must:

What Private Schools DON'T Have to Do

Federal Funding and Private Schools

Generally, private schools do NOT receive direct federal funding. However, there are exceptions:

Important Distinction: When private schools receive these services, the public agency controls the funds, not the private school. The private school itself is not considered a "recipient of federal financial assistance" in most cases. If a private school directly receives a federal grant, it then becomes subject to federal requirements like Title IX.

How to Start a Private School in Washington

If someone wanted to open a private school in Washington State, here's the process:

Step 1: Understand Basic Requirements

Step 2: Business and Legal Setup

Step 3: Facility Requirements

Step 4: Educational Program

Step 5: Apply for State Board of Education Approval

Step 6: Annual Requirements

Timeline: Starting a private school typically takes 6-12 months of planning before opening. The approval process itself takes 90+ days, but facility acquisition, staff hiring, and program development require much more time.

Resources for Starting a Private School

How to Start a Charter School in Washington

IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of 2024, new charter school applications are NOT being accepted in Washington State. The authorization window closed in 2021-2022, and the state has reached 18 of the 40-school cap. Until the Washington State Legislature changes the law, no new charter schools can be created.

For reference, here is how the process worked when charter school applications were being accepted:

Step 1: Understanding Charter School Requirements

Step 2: Choose an Authorizer

Two options for charter school authorization:

Step 3: The Application Process (When Open)

Step 4: Ongoing Requirements

Charter School vs. Private School

Key Difference: Charter schools are public schools that receive full public funding but operate with more autonomy. Private schools are privately funded and operate independently of the public system.

Why the Cap? Washington's charter school law included a cap of 40 schools and a limited authorization window. This was a compromise to allow charter schools while limiting their impact on traditional public schools. The Legislature would need to pass new legislation to extend the authorization window or increase the cap.

Community Control: How to Influence Education Locally

Understanding who controls schools helps citizens know where to direct their engagement:

For Traditional Public Schools (Highest Local Control):

For Charter Schools (Limited Local Control):

For Private Schools (High Control by Private Board):

State-Level Influence (All School Types):

Where You Have the Most Power: Local school board elections typically have low voter turnout, meaning each vote has significant impact. This is where community members can have the most direct influence on education decisions affecting their children.

Summary: The Trade-offs Between School Types

Traditional Public Schools

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Charter Public Schools

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Private Schools

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

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Independent Community Resource | Not Affiliated with MLSD No. 161

All information compiled from official Washington State sources including OSPI, State Board of Education, Charter School Commission, and Washington Revised Code (RCW)