Bill
SB 5418
SB 5418 lets charter schools seek targeted basic-education waivers through their contracts, while requiring a core program and authorizer consultation with SBE/SPI.
Status and background
- Bill number: SB 5418 — introduced 01/22/2025.
- Current subject (69th Legislature, 2025 Regular Session): charter school contracts and basic education waivers. (Note: an earlier 2023 version of SB 5418 addressed “expanding the definition of public work”; the 2025 bill replaces that subject with charter-school provisions.)
- Legislative actions (selected): Passed the Senate (3rd reading) 02/25/2025 (yeas 48, nays 1); referred to House Education 02/27/2025; public hearing in House Education 03/24/2025; returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading 04/27/2025. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status 01/08/2024. Fiscal note available; no appropriation.
Purpose and intent
SB 5418 clarifies the obligations of charter public schools to provide a program of basic education and establishes that charter schools may seek certain basic-education waivers through their charter contracts. It aims to preserve accountability for core education standards while allowing charter contracts to authorize targeted exemptions via existing waiver processes.
Key provisions and changes
- Program of Basic Education: Requires charter schools to provide a program of basic education that meets statutory goals (including instruction in state learning standards) unless a specific exemption is authorized in the charter contract.
- Waiver eligibility: Modifies existing waiver mechanisms to make charter schools eligible to request waivers from the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) for certain basic education requirements. (Background: SBE/SPI waivers can address items such as minimum instructional days/hours, credit requirements for graduation, and limited credit waivers for individual students.)
- Charter contract process and consultation:
- Authorizer and charter school must execute a charter contract within 90 days of application approval.
- The charter contract may expressly allow the charter school to seek exemptions under RCW 28A.300.750.
- The authorizer must consult with the SBE on charter contract provisions that relate to SBE duties or authorizations.
- Authorizer must notify SBE (with a copy) within 10 days after executing a charter contract.
- Other statutory confirmations: Reaffirms existing requirements that charter schools must comply with health/safety, civil rights, special education, employee background checks, certificated-staff rules (with limited exceptions), audits, reporting, open meetings/public records, and accountability systems (e.g., Washington achievement index).
Who is affected
- Charter schools and their governing boards (primary effect): may pursue specific exemptions from basic education rules via contract and waiver processes.
- Charter authorizers (school districts or the charter commission): must consult with SBE on relevant contract provisions and timely file executed contracts.
- Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education: will receive and consider waiver requests from charter schools and be consulted on contract provisions affecting their duties.
- Students and families: could experience changes in program delivery or graduation-credit requirements at charter schools when exemptions/waivers are authorized.
- State agencies (SBE, SPI, state auditor) and authorizers: potential additional administrative workload for waiver review, consultation, monitoring, and reporting.
Procedural/timeline notes
- If enacted, statutory effective date is 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session in which the bill is passed.
- No appropriation is included; fiscal note available (details not provided here).
Potential impacts and considerations
- Preserves baseline accountability (basic education and assessments) while creating a structured pathway for charter schools to request tailored flexibility.
- Could increase SBE/SPI workload to process and oversee waivers and to consult on contract terms.
- Implications for equity and consistency across public schools depend on waiver criteria and oversight practices; specifics will hinge on how SBE/SPI apply existing waiver standards to charter requests.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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