This article is one of a series of articles produced by Word in Black through support provided by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Word In Black is a collaborative of 10 Black-owned media outlets across the country.
By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Last week, in celebration of National Charter Schools Week, Former State Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D, 37th Dist.) was honored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) as one of the seven individuals presented with the Changemaker Award, an award that recognizes people in the public education sector who are advancing public charter schools and educational opportunity for all.
According to the NAPCS, the award is given to those who have made an impact serving their local community using their ideas, talents, and different platforms. Each year, the NAPCS is proud to celebrate public education advocates who move our sector forward, like Pettigrew.
Pettigrew, a strong proponent of charter schools during his tenure in the state Legislature, has been an outspoken advocate for educational equity. His legislative efforts were crucial in ensuring that Washington’s charter schools received stable funding, positioning them to offer a valuable alternative to traditional public schools, especially for students of color.
“I served the people of the 37th Legislative District in South Seattle for 18 years. I have always stood up for kids and families, and I made that a priority during my time in the legislature,” says Pettigrew. “One of the things I am most proud of is leading the bipartisan effort to secure stable funding for Washington’s charter schools because charter schools represent a different way of approaching how to educate kids of color, or kids who are struggling with the traditional ways of school.”
“We know that many students, especially students of color, are being failed by the one-size-fits-all nature of district schools. Whether a student graduates from high school, attends college, or achieves future success should not depend on the color of their skin or their zip code,” added Pettigrew. “We need to do more to make sure every child has the opportunity to get a great education. I have always believed that charter schools represent a path forward for students who are not being served well by the options available to them.”
New data from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) released by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) in September 2023 reveals that Washington State charter public schools are making significant strides in academic performance. Notably, Black, Latinx, and low-income students in charter public schools fared better than their peers in traditional public schools.
“Charter schools in Washington state are held to high-performance standards and oversight,” says Pettigrew. “This ensures they focus on student achievement and equity, prioritizing the educational success of all students, including those from marginalized backgrounds.”
“The main difference between charter schools and traditional public schools is that charter schools have more flexibility in their educational models and curricula,” continued Pettigrew. “This means they can tailor their programs to better meet the cultural and academic needs of diverse student populations, using innovative teaching methods and specialized programs to engage students of color more effectively.”
According to Pettigrew, charter schools often tend to have more freedom in their hiring practices, which can result in a more diverse and culturally responsive teaching staff that can foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for students of color.
Standing up for students of color and his community has never been something that Pettigrew has strayed away from and is something that he continues to do.
“I was not afraid to stand up for my beliefs, and I am not afraid to keep advocating for public education,” says Pettigrew.
Since leaving office, Pettigrew has continued his advocacy for charter schools, urging lawmakers to ensure all students across the state of Washington have access to a public school that meets their needs, including passing legislation to ensure charter public schools receive funding equal to other public schools.
“This award fuels me to keep going and keep advocating for public education options for the families that need it most. I will not give up. I thank the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools for giving me an additional platform to stand up for charter schools and public education,” says Pettigrew.