I'm Sure It's Just a Coincidence

A particular line from the charter schools bill that was introduced to the Washington State legislature yesterday, related to an extension of the time that it would take a charter to start serving students:

"The authorizer may grant or deny the extension depending on the school's circumstances."

From the charter school law in Maine:

The authorizer may grant or deny the extension depending on the particular public charter school's circumstances.

How about Montana?

The authorizer may grant or deny the extension depending on the particular school's circumstances.

Heading down south, to Alabama:

The authorizer may grant or deny the extension, depending on the particular circumstances of the charter school.

...and Mississippi:

The authorizer may grant or deny the extension depending on the school's circumstances.

When you hear folks like Rep. Anderson complaining about the powerful teacher's union just remember that it isn't a plucky group of passionate advocates that came out of nowhere on the other side; the movement in support of charters is quite well funded and organized nationally, and this fight in Washington is just another battle that they've already fought before.