Governor Gregoire: Parents should pay for basic education

If you have not heard it enough times already, basic education is the “paramount duty” of Washington State according to  Article IX, Section 1 of the state constitution.  I had understood this to mean that every child in Washington State will have free access to the fundamental education needed to become a productive and engaged citizen.

Of course, as we know from years of systematic underfunding and the resulting lawsuits, the state does not always live up to this obligation. But who would outright suggest that parents should pay for public education?

Apparently, Governor Gregoire.

In a letter sent yesterday to Senate and House leaders on the basic education bills making their way through the Legislature, the Governor applauded the work undertaken by legislators and stakeholders to redefine basic education in Washington State, despite disagreements between those involved.

The letter is meant to set out the Governor’s position on the legislation. And one of her  statements popped right off the page:

All-day kindergarten should be continued to be phased-in with the highest poverty schools receiving these funds first. It should be clear that parents, who can afford it, may be asked by school districts to participate in supporting their student in all-day kindergarten programs. (emphasis added)

Governor Gregoire follows this up by agreeing that full-day kindergarten should be included in the definition of basic education.

I am confused — and a little upset — about this recommendation. Ipso facto, if full-day kindergarten is basic education, then  it should be free. Since when do we make income a factor of admission into public education? Children of middle-class and wealthy families have as much of a fundamental right to attend our public schools as do the children of low-income parents.

I have no doubt that asking parents to pay for basic education is illegal and would be found to be so in the courts. Which makes it all the more outrageous for it to even be suggested.

Economic distress necessitates a hard look at spending and revenue – but not a complete reversal in core democractic principles: Free basic public education for all. No matter what.