Over the past three years, Washington’s public officials have worked carefully to implement the state’s new charter school law. It is because of their work that more than 1,200 children throughout the state are enrolled in a charter school this fall.

The education of these children is now jeopardized by the state Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Washington’s charter school law.

Numerous other states have faced the same local control and funding issues and no other state Supreme Court has ruled the way the Washington Court did. Washington’s ruling is unique and extreme.

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers has worked closely with the State Board of Education, the State Charter Schools Commission and the Spokane Public Schools to implement charter schools in a high-quality manner.

We call on Governor Jay Inslee to hold a special session to save Washington’s charter schools. Washington’s children, parents and communities deserve a reasonable solution that respects both the will of the people and the state constitution.