Washington’s public charter schools saw encouraging student achievement gains in their first year of operation. The eight schools – located in Seattle, Kent, Tacoma and Spokane – have published results from mid-year and end-of-year assessments. Here are the highlights:
- At the Spokane International Academy, 58 percent of K-1 students were reading below grade level at the start of the year. In the spring, 99 percent were reading at or above grade level.
- At Excel Public Charter School in Kent, every middle school student is simultaneously learning to code and plays an instrument in the school’s orchestra. Mid-year assessments revealed that students were on track to make 1.5 years of growth in reading.
- At Summit Sierra in Seattle, students outperformed the national average in reading by 20 percent, and more than doubled the national average in math.
We’re encouraged to see such impressive results in the first year! From Act Now for Washington Students, here’s a breakdown of the students who make up the state’s public charter schools:
- More than 67 percent of public charter school students in Washington are students of color, as compared to 43 percent statewide.
- Approximately two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, as compared to 45 percent statewide. At four of Washington’s charter public schools, the number exceeds 70 percent.
- Charter public schools in Washington serve many students with special education needs. 12 percent of Washington’s charter public school students are eligible for special education services, as compared with 13 percent statewide.
See the full 2015-2016 charter school data below, and download the fact sheet from the Washington Charter Association here.
